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The Robert Walters Asia Job Index indicates that the total number of advertisements for professional positions in Q2 2010 was up 35.8% on the previous quarter and almost 6% across the quarter, from April to June. Compared to the equivalent Q2 in 2009, overall numbers of job advertisements have increased by 85.9%, an exceptional leap in levels of advertising and a strong indication that employer confidence has returned.

While there is some doubt that the current rate of economic growth in the region can be sustained, especially in China, the general outlook for the region is nevertheless one of cautious optimism, notes Robert Walters.

The index found that almost all sectors have seen an increase in the number of jobs advertised in Q2 as compared to Q1.

Sectors which saw the most significant increases in job advertisements were IT and HR, specifically IT in Japan and Hong Kong (+19.5% and +10.4%) and HR in Hong Kong and Japan (+7.7% and +24.8%).

In Singapore, there was a significant increase (30.7%) in advertisements for merchandising and purchasing roles.

China saw particularly significant growth in operations (+26.9%) and advertising and marketing (+9.5%) during Q2 respectively.

Job advertisements across the region were up 5.64% during the quarter, with June generally showing a marked increase on April and May.

Japan experienced the highest increase in job advertisements during Q2 (41.3%), whereas Singapore saw a slight decrease from April to June (-0.3%).

Compared to Q2 2009, Japan and China have the largest increase in job advertisements (+88.5% and +90.2% respectively). Compared to Q1 2010, numbers of job advertisements have increased in all regions: Singapore is up 13.7%, Hong Kong 31.5%, Japan 34.3% and China up 36.7%.

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