In the last quarter, new trends and challenges have emerged in the job markets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, affecting employee recruitment. We spoke with Jakub Sedláček, Staffing Director for CZ&SK, who shared his insights on changing demand for employees and the steps companies are taking to address the local workforce shortage. We’ll also discuss the advantages SYNERGIE offers and how we can help companies tackle recruitment challenges and find the right people for their teams.
Jakub, the past quarter has been challenging for many companies. Could you tell us about the trends and challenges you’ve observed in the job market?
Jakub: This past quarter has shown us several new trends. In Slovakia, we’ve seen increased demand for legally assigned temporary employees – clients are more frequently seeking skilled workers who can become a long-term part of their teams. Unlike in the past, when there was more interest in temporary workers or freelancers, companies are now turning to us for long-term, legally compliant support.
In the Czech Republic, we’re seeing a slight drop in demand in the automotive sector, related to the situation in Germany and globally. However, companies are preparing for the holiday season, with increased demand for positions in e-commerce and services. We see that companies need support for seasonal work but face challenges with legislation that isn’t fully adapted to hiring foreign workers.
What are the biggest challenges companies are facing today?
Jakub: The biggest issue remains the shortage of local workers. In Slovakia, companies hesitate to hire foreign workers due to past negative experiences with unreliable agencies, which often disregarded labor laws, leading to distrust in outsourcing services.
Another concern is the length of the visa process for workers from non-EU countries, which can take 2-4 months. However, when we consider what realistically changes in the local job market over this time, the answer is often very little. Waiting 2-4 months for prepared and stable employees may not be a waste of time; rather, it can be a strategic decision for companies long facing a shortage of skilled or unskilled labor.
In the Czech Republic, employers are more open to foreign workers but struggle with increased administrative demands on HR departments. By entrusting this process to us, we can take the burden off their shoulders. With our temporary staffing service, companies can rely on a smooth onboarding process and adherence to all legal requirements.
Currently, more companies are looking for workers from third countries, and state programs are clearly set and defined for this area. SYNERGIE is preparing for another round of recruitment activities in the Philippines, where we can secure workers not only for regular positions but also for specialized roles such as CNC operators and welders. Our experience and refined recruitment processes allow us to meet demanding client requirements and provide verified, qualified workers even for the most complex positions.
How do you specifically help clients address their recruitment challenges?
Jakub: We offer our clients comprehensive solutions, allowing them to focus on their core business while we take responsibility for the recruitment process. We adapt to the dynamics and needs of our partners – if they need new people quickly, our priority is speed, efficiency, and quality. For instance, we found three qualified candidates for a managerial position within five business days. In another case, we presented candidates for a service technician position within nine days, allowing the company to quickly reinforce its team.
We’ve also been able to flexibly increase the number of warehouse workers – within six weeks, we doubled the workforce. In e-commerce, we filled eight warehouse positions in just two days during peak season.
These successes are due to our ability to respond quickly while maintaining selection quality. Our clients appreciate that we not only find candidates but also thoroughly screen them to ensure a high-quality, long-term collaboration.
What would you highlight as your biggest achievements?
Jakub: We can effectively fill key positions, which clients see as a competitive advantage. For example, in a powder coating shop position, we had four of the five required workers on board just six days after first contact with the client.
Similarly, for an electromechanic position, we presented the first candidates within five business days, and by the 15th day after initial contact, we had closed the job offer.
In other cases, such as seasonal hiring for the holidays, we secured sales assistants who started on the third day after initial client contact. We also successfully filled other roles, like adding 55 production operators within 40 days, which was crucial for the client.
These results demonstrate that we provide fast and reliable support to address our clients’ staffing needs. At SYNERGIE, our goal is not just to fill open positions but to become a long-term partner for our clients and support their growth.
We thank Jakub for a great interview and valuable insights into current job market trends. If you’re looking to grow and need reliable recruitment solutions, we’re here for you. Together with our team, we’re ready to collaborate to help meet your staffing needs and support your growth.