The 2024 Blue Book™ Survey which will be published later this year is set to reveal seismic changes in the UK Support Staff industry. Now In its 20th year, The Blue Book 2024 is an in-depth survey of employers and candidates conducted by the UK’s leading support staff recruiter, Angela Mortimer plc.
The survey will question hundreds of clients and candidates from across all major sectors in the UK, France, and Brussels. As well as data covering the latest salary and benefits offered by employers across the regions, the survey aims to bridge the expectation gap between candidates and businesses. The Blue Book™ data is collated by five companies within the Angela Mortimer Recruitment Group, operating across London, Birmingham, Paris, and Brussels. Companies use the data obtained to give them a competitive advantage in the recruitment process by providing invaluable insights into employment trends, competitive innovations, employee retention and talent acquisition.
The Blue Book™ provides in-depth analysis of:
- Market Sentiment
- Market Growth
- The priorities for the HR
- Recruitment and Retention
- Key trends in the world of work
- Employee Attitudes
- Employer Attitudes
- Careers & temporary work
Early survey findings indicate that top priorities for HR departments are: The impact and opportunities of AI, Diversity & Inclusion, Employee Retention and Employee Wellness. Whilst the market continues to be candidate driven, many are actively seeking hybrid roles which offer the best work/life balance. The Blue Book™ is expected to reveal further insights into coming trends for next year, including:
- The role of AI in recruitment
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Hybrid working and productivity
- Advanced screening for quality hires
- What will businesses do differently to retain talent, in a talent-shortage market?
“The insights gathered from this survey provide invaluable knowledge for organisations navigating the dynamic landscape of the office support staff industry. By understanding current challenges and future trends, businesses can adapt their strategies to attract, retain, and engage top talent,” says John Mortimer, CEO. “Some recruiters are undoubtedly using artificial intelligence for automating repetitive tasks – like resume screening – and analysing candidate data. They believe that AI streamlines process and enhances efficiency. These volume-driven recruiters are already using chatbots and virtual assistants for tasks such as initial candidate interactions, answering FAQs, and scheduling interviews. They are missing the one critical factor that makes for a successful candidate placement. The human touch.”
Mortimer adds that while Machine Learning algorithms can match job descriptions with candidate profiles, it is essential to recognise its limitations. He says AI lacks the nuanced understanding that human recruiters bring to the table – an expert recruiter can assess not only skills and qualifications but also cultural fit, soft skills, and long-term potential. These aspects are often hard to quantify but profoundly impact a candidate’s success within an organisation.
“As AI becomes more prevalent, there is a growing appreciation that it is flawed and limited unless used by skilled recruiters as part of an extensive toolset at their disposal,” says Mortimer. “Candidates appreciate personalised interactions and empathetic communication. Understanding emotions, motivations, and aspirations – things that AI, despite its advancements, struggles to fully grasp. Successful recruitment might blend the best of both worlds: AI-driven efficiency and human intuition, experience, and emotional intelligence.”
The full report, including detailed findings and analysis, will be available on the Angela Mortimer website angelamortimer.com/blue-book
