Skills shortage 2024 – strategies for HR managers and managing directors

Feb 26, 2025

The current 360° STUDY “Barometer Personalvermittlung 2024” addresses the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in Germany despite the economic crisis. The study offers valuable insights and recommendations for HR managers and managing directors to successfully master the challenges of the labor market.

1. Skills shortage as a key issue

The shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges for companies. Despite the uncertainties in the economy, the demand for qualified workers remains unbroken. The study shows that 69.9% of candidates consider salary to be the decisive factor when choosing a job, followed by attractive tasks and flexible working time models.

2. Competitiveness through exclusive contracts

Only around a third of recruitment companies rely on exclusive contracts. This strategy enables them to establish themselves as strategic partners and build long-term, stable relationships with companies. Exclusivity reduces competitive pressure and allows a focused search for the best talent, which leads to a higher quality of placements.

3. Active sourcing and active placement

The study highlights that many recruitment agencies do not make sufficient use of their own candidate databases. Over 40% of companies report that active placement accounts for a significant proportion of turnover. HR managers should therefore actively access their databases and make targeted job offers in order to attract the best talent.

 

4. Modern technologies in recruiting

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly important in recent years, but over 40% of recruitment companies are not yet using these technologies. The use of AI-supported tools and data-driven analyses can significantly improve the quality of candidate selection and create a competitive advantage. A balanced interplay of technology and human judgment is crucial for success in recruiting.

5. Transparent communication

Clear and transparent communication with candidates and companies is essential. Open discussions create trust and prevent misunderstandings in the application process. This is particularly important to avoid losing top talent through inefficient processes.

6. Additional consulting services

HR managers should go beyond traditional candidate recruitment and offer customized consulting services. This includes support in developing long-term talent retention strategies and conducting detailed market analyses in order to make well-founded personnel decisions.

Conclusion

The “Barometer Recruitment 2024” study offers valuable insights and practical recommendations for HR managers and managing directors. In a challenging labor market, it is crucial to develop innovative strategies to attract the best talent and retain them in the company in the long term. Use the findings of this study to optimize your HR strategies and position yourself as an attractive employer.
For more information and detailed insights into the study, please visit the index Group website.

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