Job openings across fell by 7.2% in the second quarter of the year compared with the previous quarter and were down 9.9% year-on-year, according to the latest employment monitor from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley Ireland.<\/p>\n
The research found that jobseeker numbers also fell by 6.8% quarter-on-quarter but were 18.4% higher than a year earlier.<\/p>\n
According to the monitor, demand remained active in roles linked to regulation, risk, infrastructure, transformation, AI, data, and specialist project delivery.<\/p>\n
It also found that contract and temporary hiring has continued to gain ground as employers looked to keep projects moving without adding permanent headcount.<\/p>\n
When it comes to pay, salary growth remained largely flat, with increases limited to areas such as AI engineering, employment law, regulatory reporting, senior construction roles and specialist engineering or life sciences project roles.<\/p>\n
The report found that return-to-office expectations have tightened.<\/p>\n
“Hybrid working remains established, but three days in the office is increasingly becoming the default, with some employers moving closer to four or five days on-site,” according to the monitor.<\/p>\n
“That continues to create friction with candidates who still place a high value on flexibility.”<\/p>\n
The research found that AI is moving away from first-wave adoption with employers now asking how AI changes roles, teams, recruitment, and productivity.<\/p>\n
Trayc Keevans, Global FDI Director at Morgan McKinley Ireland, said there has been a clear shift in bargaining power.<\/p>\n