A recent survey reveals a shifting dynamic in the German job market, indicating that job seekers are increasingly able to advocate for their interests during interviews. Conducted by the Ifo Institute in Munich and staffing agency Randstad, the study polled 638 human resources professionals across German companies. The findings, reported by “Der Spiegel”, suggest a significant power shift away from employers.
Currently, only 11% of surveyed HR representatives believe employers hold the upper hand in hiring processes. Conversely, 49% perceive that job applicants possess a stronger position, while 40% feel the balance of power is relatively even.
This shift appears to be largely driven by a persistent and acute shortage of skilled workers. When asked about the primary concern in personnel planning, a clear majority (56%) cited the lack of available workforce, overshadowing concerns about potential job cuts. Only 9% prioritized job reductions, with 20% considering both factors equally and 19% stating neither was a dominant factor.
The demand is particularly acute for candidates possessing vocational training – 77% of HR professionals confirmed widespread recruitment efforts in this area. The shortage extends beyond skilled trades, however, with 22% reporting a “strong” or “considerable” deficiency even in the availability of general support staff.
Looking ahead, the adoption of artificial intelligence is unlikely to alleviate the pressure. A substantial 72% of the surveyed companies anticipate that AI implementation will neither lead to significant job creation nor trigger job losses within the next three years. This suggests that the labor shortage and the resulting power shift in the job market are expected to persist.
