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COVER STORY

Some industries witnessed high growth VIETNAM: UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FROM 1999 TO 2020
in recruitment demand, for example fast-
moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail. 3%
Ms. Lan explained that the main reason for 2.75% 2.76%
this is that many customers of the industry
have moved online, leading to a need for can- 2.5% 2.33%
didates in the fields of e-commerce, digital 2.25% 2.08% 2.13%
marketing, and online sales. Candidates in 2.25% 2.21% 1.98% 2.05% 2.01%
these areas have many attractive job oppor- Unemployment rate 2% 2.14% 1.88%
tunities at the moment. The energy sector, 1.79%
meanwhile, continues to see rising recruitment 1.75% 1.87%
demand, as a number of major projects have 1.5% 1.68%
begun implementation under the government’s
national power development strategy to 2030 1.25% 1.11%
and vision to 2045. Demand in insurance and 1%
information technology (IT) is also strong. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
The latest Robert Walters report indicates
that FMCG and healthcare did relatively well Source: Statista, 2020
in general. “We also saw an increase in digi-
tal-related roles, as a lot of FMCG and retail attracting new strategic development, with as IT, e-commerce, and insurance. “We see a

companies began reaching out to consumers either existing clients expanding or new com- trend towards digital transformation beginning

directly through e-commerce platforms, fully panies keen to enter the market. Positions to take place among small and medium-sized
integrating a new platform or investing more in sales, marketing, trade, technology, and enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam as well,” Ms.
in what they already had,” Mr. Bizouard said. digital transformation are the trend, and Lan said. “Businesses should prepare tech-
“As for healthcare, it was quite a positive year supply chain and engineer positions have savvy teams to be ready for the employment
as we saw a couple of newcomers in Vietnam regained their previous popularity as factories market’s needs.”
and existing companies sought to expand.” restart operations. Mr. Bizouard also recommended that organ-

“We also saw that sales positions became H “We also see there are companies looking izations be selective in choosing recruitment
1
more critical than marketing for FMCG, to grow within Vietnam, encouraging business partners and make sure their employer branding

pharmaceutical, and industrial clients. Where leaders to reinforce their board of manage- is positioned effectively and professionally.
marketing used to be the focus of hiring, in ment,” Mr. Bizouard noted. “We would caution Having an effective employer branding strategy

2020 we saw that the focus was on the delivery companies, however, to be careful regarding with internal and external partners is very impor-
and distribution of products, as more attention the recovery. Though Vietnam has kept the tant, as candidates in Vietnam join a company

+

P
was paid to revenue, which led to an increase Covid-19 pandemic largely under control, we mainly because of their reputation and brand.
in demand for sales professionals with indus- don’t know what may happen and need to be It is therefore important to be well positioned,
try expertise.” realistic that things could go wrong.” transparent, and clear around the development

Meanwhile, according to Navigos’ obser- the company can provide to employees.
Responsive solutions needed vations, 2021 won’t see a full recovery in the Moreover, companies must start viewing

Looking to the immediate future, employ- recruitment market because globally the pan- HR as a strategic element in the organization
ment trends in the first half of 2021 are demic is still not under control, despite vac- and not just an admin role. HR departments

expected to be positive, according to Robert cines being produced and distributed. In need to be fully involved in talent development
Walters Vietnam. It has fielded requests from Vietnam, due to the government’s sound con- and management, training them in business

new entrants, as Vietnam is receiving a more tainment measures, the market will see some skills and involving them with line managers
regional focus, putting it in the spotlight and positive signs in a number of industries, such and decision makers at the company. They

S

should also not be reactive in hiring talent,
identifying the right people even when not
HOW CORONAVIRUS WILL IMPACT THE RECRUITING PROCESS hiring so they are ready if things do go wrong.
As Vietnam remains a candidate’s market, com-
Percentage of talented professionals who expect the following actions will decrease or increase
over the next month due to coronavirus panies should always have a strategy on hand.
Businesses also need to start hiring based
Decrease % Increase % on potential, as this remains extremely impor-
tant. It’s almost impossible to find a candidate
Phone screens scheduled -24% +26% that fits all requirements of a role. Job descrip-
tions must be designed that are realistic and
Applications for open roles -39% +13% not something that simply looks good. They
should also keep an eye out for Vietnamese
returning home from overseas. Robert Walters’
New job requisitions -48% +7%
“Come Home Phở Good” campaign reaches
out to Vietnamese professionals overseas and
Offers made -54% +1% helps them come home and transition their
careers. “We saw a record number of Viet-
Interviews namese returning in 2020, as the government’s
scheduled -68% +1%
sensible handling of Covid-19 made returning
Source: LinkedIn survey of 261 talent professionals (March 11-17, 2020) home more appealing,” Mr. Bizouard said. %
FEBRUARY 2021 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | 15