Freelance jobs outperform other job types with +23% growth
At +23%, freelance jobs increased faster than all other types of job vacancies between January and February. With monthly growth of +8%, the number of temporary and fixed-term contracts also rose faster than that of permanent positions, which fell by -2%.
In Switzerland, the number of advertised jobs fell by -1% between January and February, according to the Michael Page Swiss Job Index. Compared to the previous year (February 2023 - February 2024), the number of job vacancies rose by +3%.
|
Types of employment contracts |
Monthly growth |
|
1. freelance |
+23% |
|
2. temporary |
+8% |
|
3. temporary |
+8% |
|
4. permanent position |
-2% |
|
5. temporary with option for permanent position |
-3% |
"The increased economic and geopolitical risks have made employers and candidates more cautious. Freelancers and fixed-term contracts are seen as a way to manage these business risks. As a result, we are seeing a significant increase in most forms of fixed-term contracts. They currently account for around 10% of advertised positions," says Yannick Coulange, Managing Director of PageGroup Switzerland.
Temporary versus "job hopping" and hunting
According to the Michael Page Talent Trends Study, the increase in temporary jobs reflects a fundamental change in the market. Loyalty to the employer has lost its appeal: 9 out of 10 people who have started a new job in the last year are open to new opportunities. Many candidates see advantages in temporary employment - both for professional development and work-life balance. The demand from less experienced professionals to build their careers is so great that "job hopping" among younger employees is on the rise.
At the same time, many employers have tightened their recruitment criteria. For example, candidates have to undergo extensive assessments and aptitude tests. As a result, the recruitment process for permanent positions is longer than ever before. The requirements for temporary positions are generally not as stringent. Candidates prefer to advance their careers through project-based work, regardless of employment status. In addition, many temporary positions are being converted into permanent positions. This situation, in which both employers and applicants are increasingly turning to fixed-term contracts, is likely to continue in the near future.
Source: www.michaelpage.ch
