38% of Hong Kong companies are on hiring spree from January to June

Check out which positions are in demand.

According to Michael Page's Hong Kong Employment Index Report, the consistent hiring activity experienced across professional markets in Hong Kong is likely to continue in the first half of 2013, with some 38% of survey respondents intending to increase headcount during this period. 

A further 47% of the employers surveyed intend to keep headcount stable, and will be hiring for replacements only.

Most respondents (48%) anticipate they will start increasing staff numbers again in the next six to twelve months. The vast majority of companies (71%) planning to increase headcount in the first half of 2013 will be investing in front line, revenue-generating roles in areas like sales and account management.

Most of the remaining hiring activity (27%) will be focused around boosting the operational capacity of the business. While over half of the employers surveyed (53%) will be increasing staff numbers by up to 5%, a further 41% of respondents plan to boost headcount by between 5% and 10%. 

Only 1% will be increasing staff numbers by a more significant 15-20% in H1 2013, compared with 13% of the employers surveyed in Q2 2012 who expected to build up their teams by this percentage.

For the majority of companies (64%), mid level professionals will be in highest demand. Interestingly, only 1% of employers plan to increase headcount at the executive level in H1 2013, compared with 17% of survey respondents who were looking for more experienced talent in the second quarter of 2012.

In an effort to attract the best talent, respondents are most likely to offer competitive salaries (35%) and scope for career development (35%). A further 24% of employers will be focusing on promoting their company’s reputation as their key attraction strategy