HR salary expectations revealed

Although Singapore experienced strong employment growth last year, Robert Walters warns the job market will remain cautious in 2012.

The Global Salary Survey 2012 by the recruitment firm revealed most firms will be focusing on replacement hiring this year, with a demand for HR, engineering, IT and telecommunication roles.

On average, HR professionals can expect salary increments of about 15% this year, with HR generalists and business partners receiving more because of higher demand.

“There are come really sexy, really interesting roles coming up in HR this year,” Andrea Ross, Robert Walters’ managing director for Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, said.

Within HR, recruitment is expected to remain consistent despite the uncertain economic times. Although the banking and financial services industry remains gloomy, shared services and back office positions are expected to remain in demand.

On average, banking and financial services professionals received a salary increment of between 10% and 15% last year, and the survey found companies preferred to hire locals.

Ross said as companies continue to align HR strategies to business goals, those specialising in HR transformation will be in high demand this year. “Companies are getting more complex, so businesses are hiring specialists to come in and align HR to the business,” Ross said.

In the commerce and industry sector, most candidates received a salary increment of between 12% and 15% as companies expand their headcount. HR professionals specialising in compensation and benefits were also in high demand, as were those in training and development, particularly if they have had prior sales experience.

Additionally, high-tech companies and pharmaceutical organisations also looked for recruitment specialists as businesses continue to grow.

Robert Walters also found more companies are hiring employees on a contract basis to help manage workload while keeping headcount low.