26 April 2010

Unemployment figures cause confusion

Latest figures show that unemployed in the UK has fallen again with the jobless rate standing at 7.8%, but there remains great uncertainty in the jobs market.

Total unemployment stood at 2.45 million for the three months to January, down 33,000 on the figure for the previous three months. But long-term unemployment, covering those out of work for more than a year, rose by 61,000 to 687,000.

What's more, the number of people in work actually fell in the quarter, by 54,000 to 28.86 million.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), unemployment and employment were both falling because of a rising number of people being classed as economically inactive.

This category includes students and those on long-term sick leave, as well as those who have stopped looking for a job.

Commenting on the figures, Dr John Philpott, chief economic adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said the official job figures were confusing.

As a result, anyone looking for a new job is still likely to face a difficult task. Employers too could find themselves overwhelmed by applicants and need to employ the latest techniques to find the best candidates.

These techniques could include online psychometric tests at the earliest stage of a recruitment campaign. Sit down psychometric tests could also be used at a later stage of the recruitment process.

 

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