17.1% increase in qoq demand for HR professionals in Singapore

As the war for top talent continues, it's no surprise to see an increase in demand for HR professionals.

According to the JobTech 3Q 2017 Online Jobs Census, HR jobs saw a quarter-on-quarter growth of 17.1% compared to Q2, with the overall number of HR jobs in Q3 standing at just over 1,200.

This marks a growth in hiring appetite over three quarters since 1Q 2017, with Q2 seeing a quarter-on-quarter growth of 16.3% compared to Q1.

The JobTech 3Q 2017 Online Jobs Census has also identified the top technical skills and soft skills HR professionals need to have.

Across the entire HR sector, the most sought-after technical skills by employers hiring for HR roles was proficiency in recruitment at 53.2%, followed by proficiency in payroll (30.1%), and proficiency in liaison (including conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement) coming in at 19.8%.

When it came to soft skills, the most wanted were communication skills (65.2%), interpersonal skills (46.7%), and a meticulous personality (43.3%).

Additionally, the report revealed a pattern of steady growth amongst HR jobs requiring digital and data-related skills, with an average sequential quarterly growth of 18.6% observed across 3 quarters since 1Q 2017.

Among the digital and data-related skills, the three most sought-after skills in the HR sector were statistics, data analytics, and forecasting; while the three fastest growing digital and data-related skills in the HR sector between 1Q 2017 and 3Q 2017 were Tableau, R (a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics) and business analytics.

Managing director (APAC and emerging markets) for Alexander Mann Solutions, Caleb Baker, commented: "Data Analytics is an increasingly important skillset within the HR function, and this enables HR to play a more strategic role at the boardroom level, and in driving business objectives."

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