NEWS

Most vacancies are filled via networking rather than by structured recruitment, according to a recent study by a leading American Business School. An estimated 65-70% of jobs are found through contacts, the survey found. The percentage is even greater for higher-level positions.

Growth in the Scottish economy is 2002 will remain weak despite a small improvement on the end of last year, Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute has forecast. Times will be tough for recruiters as unemployment is expected to rise slightly this year to 6.7%. Unemployment will not fall until 2003, the report predicted. Scottish overall growth in real GDP is forecast as 1.2%, compared to an expected 1.9% in the UK.

One in three people in England currently run or are thinking of starting their own business, according to a report by the DTI. The new, biannual Household Survey also reveals that only one in 10 women are involved in business, compared to a quarter of men. For a copy, visit www.sbs.gov.uk/research