The new millennium has left its first decade behind and with it the economy is on the mend. Now some positive change has started with the first month of the new decade over. According to the latest KPMG/REC survey of the UK labour market, UK permanent job placements (in December) rose at their fastest rate in 30 months.
The same survey also showed permanent salaries rising again following the first rise in 15 months was recorded in November, with the rate of growth the fastest since June 2008. As we head into 2010, the recovery of the UK jobs market is accelerating, according to Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation. Employer confidence is increasing and vacancies are on the up.
These thriving companies are looking for new staff in February:
Amazon
Who they are: Amazon.co.uk opened its virtual doors in October 1998 and strives to be the world's most customer-centric company, where people can find and discover anything they might want to buy online. Amazon offers everything from books and electronics to tennis rackets and jewelry and operates sites in the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and China.
Open positions: Amazon is recruiting new staff nationwide and Europe-wide for jobs in senior management, engineering, management consultancy, recruitment sales and many others.
Barclaycard
Who they are: Barclaycard was the UK's first credit card back in 1966 and has now grown to become one of the leading credit card businesses in Europe with 11.2 million retail customers and 3.7 million cards issued internationally.
Open Positions: Barclaycard has open positions in the areas of customer advisory service, financial planning, business management, personal banking and accountancy.
British Gas
Who they are: British Gas is a part of the Centrica Group. The company supplies gas and electricity to UK residential and business customers, provides central heating and gas appliance installation and maintenance and low carbon and energy efficient products and services.
Open positions: British Gas is seeking employees for a variety of career opportunities whether you are a fully experienced qualified engineer, seeking a trainee position, a contact centre agent or want to work in a heating, sales, installation or green energy role.
Centrica
Who they are: Centrica is an integrated energy company operating predominately in the UK and North America. Upstream they source, generate, process, trade and store energy. Downstream they supply gas and electricity to homes and businesses and offer a distinctive range of home energy solutions and low-carbon products and services.
Open positions: You'll find many opportunities and challenges with Centrica in banking and finance, accountancy, IT, management, construction and more.
Dell
Who they are: Dell is a leading technology provider to commercial enterprises around the world. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Dell employs more than 76,500 people worldwide. The company sells personal computers, servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, and computer peripherals. Dell ships about 140,000 systems per day, on average -- that's more than one every second.
Open positions: Dell offers many career paths, e.g. in sales, customer service & support, IT or engineering.
Hertz
Who they are: Hertz is the world's largest vehicle renting organisation and operates from approximately 8000 locations in 145 countries worldwide. Hertz began 2010 with a head start after winning several awards, including "Best Car Rental Company in Europe". This is no surprise, because in 2009 Hertz also successfully competed against its competitors by winning 16 awards, including the most prestigious award for "Best Car Rental Company Worldwide" -- for the 16th time in a row.
Open positions: Hertz offers exciting career opportunities for starters but also for experienced managers. One of its offices is located in Dublin, Ireland, where they are currently expanding their team. Because of their expansion, Hertz has started in 2010 to recruit Dutch-speaking talent to join their winning team. Who wouldn't want to work for the "2010 Best Car Rental Company in Ireland"?
Hilton International
Who they are: Hilton is a leading global hospitality company, with over 3,000 hotels totalling over 500,000 hotel rooms in 80 countries and territories. The company already has over 100,000 team members worldwide who have access to a wide range of benefits, training and development support.
Open positions: Hilton has a variety of opportunities whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in this industry, e.g. in the areas of catering, hospitality, senior management or customer service.
Michael Page International
Who they are: Michael Page International has more than 32 years' expertise in professional services recruitment. Over this period they have grown organically to establish themselves as one of the world's leading consultancies.
Open positions: Michael Page has nationwide openings for permanent and interim positions.
RUSH Hair & Beauty
Who they are: The RUSH Hair & Beauty Group has been at the forefront of hairdressing for over 15 years. Their passion for developing a group of salons that offer the highest quality of service and professionalism, as well as cutting edge creativity has led to 49 luxurious salons across London and the South, eight British Hairdressing Awards and two British Hairdressing Business Awards to date.
Open positions: RUSH is recruiting for the following positions in many new RUSH salons across London and the South: Stylists at all levels, apprenticeships, salon managers.