Timing is everything and the recruitment process is no different, quickening as employers realise the need to act fast to secure the best candidates. Here Emma Charnock, Regional Director of Hays Accountancy & Finance in Hong Kong, explores the trend and what it means for candidates.

In today’s job market candidate shortages are still very evident in many sectors including accounting, and in these cases, job seekers need to be prepared for a swift response.

Solid candidates in skills-short areas often receive an employment offer within 48 hours of an interview, although it is not uncommon for candidates with a very strong skill base and experience ideally suited to a vacancy to be offered a role less than 24 hours after interview.

Traditionally, a week would easily pass between an interview and an offer. However today if one company's recruitment process is protracted, they risk losing the candidate to competitors with a faster and more efficient recruitment process. So it has become imperative for hiring managers to act quickly and decisively.

It is no surprise that accounting organisations with an efficient recruitment process are the winners in the current market. We’ve even seen instances where some hiring managers will conduct interviews on a Friday and then come into work on a Saturday or Sunday to finalise the offer so it is presented to the ideal candidate first thing Monday morning. Many accounting businesses are also acting to secure quality candidates before formal vacancies are even confirmed.

However, we do offer an element of caution about creating a recruitment process that trades time for the appropriate depth of information required for both parties to make a decision.

So if you are looking for a new accounting job and your skills are in demand, be ready to receive and action offers quickly, and be sure of your motivations for applying for specific jobs. Be prepared for a number of offers and the concerted efforts of your existing employers to buy you back through a counter offer.

Source: Hays Accountancy & Finance