Why job postings have grown by 90 per cent in Yorkshire

The report looks at job market data throughout the third quarter of 2020 and compares this with findings from the previous year. It reveals that Leeds saw the highest growth in job postings quarter-on-quarter, followed by these UK cities:

- Leeds (up 113.6 per cent)

- Leicester (up 105 per cent)

- Birmingham (up 98.2 per cent)

- Nottingham (up 95.8 per cent)

- Bristol (up 94 per cent)

- Glasgow (up 91.5 per cent)

- Aberdeen (up 88.2 per cent)

- Sheffield (up 87.9 per cent)

- Southampton (up 79 per cent)

- Cardiff (up 79 per cent)

However, despite significant growth in vacancies, the number of roles advertised in Yorkshire between July and September is still 26.3 per cent lower than at the start of the year. This figure drops to 31.4 per cent lower in Leeds, 26.9 per cent lower in Sheffield and 20.6 per cent lower in Hull.

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, said: “It’s great to see that so many businesses have restarted their hiring efforts over the summer. This was likely triggered by a boost to the economy thanks to the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme and the easing of national lockdown restrictions.”

The data also reveals that the number of job applications increased across the county by 35.5 per cent between the second quarter and third quarter of 2020. Furthermore, applications grew by 39.6 per cent in Sheffield, 38.6 per cent in Leeds and 28.4 per cent in Hull.

Despite this, as vacancies continued to rise during Q3, the number of applications per vacancy dropped by 28.2 per cent. The application to vacancy ration dropped by 35.1 per cent in Leeds, 25.7 per cent in Sheffield and 23.9 per cent in Hull.

Mr Biggins added: “This data clearly shows that the job market in Yorkshire has started to recover from the national lockdown in March, but we still have a long way to go. However, it’s likely that this new found confidence may be short lived.

“The uncertainty surrounding future government restrictions, as well as those put in place last week will force businesses to put a freeze on their hiring plans. Sadly, this will coincide with the end of the original Job Retention Scheme, which may spell bad news for professionals.

“That said, if you’re looking for a new job this quarter, it appears that competition may be less fierce than it was during the second quarter. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity by updating your CV and applying for your next role, now.”