As the economy picks up in many parts of Europe, international provider of software and services for the staffing industry StepStone predicts the jobs market will be reignited next year as companies start recruiting again and people look for more satisfying jobs.

The StepStone study reveals that nearly two-thirds of the 1,600 organisations surveyed are planning to increase recruitment within the next year and one fifth will be creating new positions.

Employees are also planning their next moves as many are frustrated in their current positions: more than 40% of the almost 2,500 respondents cited a lack of career development opportunities as their reason for looking for a new job.

The way jobseekers are looking for work has changed, with many shying away from traditional methods in favour of online tools. The data present a changing picture of how people across Europe look for jobs:

• 91% of StepStone candidates surveyed said online job boards were the most important tool for them

• more candidates used search engines (51%) than agencies (30%) when looking for a job

• too few advertised positions and out-of-date job offers were cited as the main reasons for not using traditional media during the job search

The survey also highlights major differences between the information employees look for in advertisements and the content employers actually provide. 

While both candidates and recruiters acknowledge that detail on the role itself is most important, much of the information candidates want is not published by employers.

Colin Tenwick, StepStone chief executive, says: “Companies will suffer if dissatisfied employees head for the door, and weak job adverts don’t attract the right talent for new vacancies.

“Although we see more employers engaging with target candidates via the most popular channels, it is vital they get the content right to recruit the best people. Comprehensive information and good employer branding make a huge difference in the quality of response.”