2019: A dynamic year of recruitment in Southeast Asia 

The annual salary survey offers a comprehensive review of professional salaries and illuminates recruitment trends both globally, internationally and locally. The overall picture is of expansion, with competitive salaries for in-demand skills and greater appreciation of talent by employers along with increased demand for local workers with an international background for expanding markets. The key take-away is that companies need to streamline, and in many sectors such as banking, speed-up the recruitment process, highlighting what they have to offer would-be employees in the 2019 skills-driven markets. 
Whilst businesses in Southeast Asia are mining local recruits, the Salary Survey 2019 emphasises how companies are increasingly looking for ‘glocal’ employees; locally based staff with international experience as companies expand to other territories. In short, 2019 is expected to be a dynamic year for recruitment regionally, benefiting both businesses and the job market. 
Many regional trends are reflected in Thailand, particularly the rise of digital-skill drivers and the demand for internationally experienced local talent, according to Gerrit Bouckaert, Managing Director for Robert Walters Thailand & Vietnam. “An international perspective is being sought from employees in Thailand more than ever, according to the Robert Walters’ Salary Survey 2019, as Thai companies expand regionally and internationally, elevating the need for English-speaking professionals. At the same time, 2019 is going to be the year of digital transformation, fuelling the need for digital talent across the board.”
Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard may continue to find professionals with problem-solving and project-management skills in short supply to channel into mid-to-high-level executive roles. It is predicted this will strengthen salary demands for the right candidates as well as pushing employers to streamline the recruitment process. Employee engagement efforts will become more important along with attracting personnel through positive employer branding as companies seek to leverage social media platforms to boost their reputation in the job market. There is also a greater need in 2019 for businesses to highlight in-company opportunities for promotion and movement. As recruitment is fine-tuned, 2019 could see businesses bring certain roles such as legal positions in-house. 
The four main factors determining job satisfaction in 2019 are work-life balance, remuneration, feedback and encouragement from management as well as training and opportunities. The top motivators for switching jobs in 2019 will be the promise of career progression, either a pay rise and/or improved benefits plus a better work-life balance.
Professionals will continue to feel positive in 2019, with 90 per cent feeling confident about job markets in their sectors. Salaries are set to rise for job movers by 15-20 per cent for back-office roles and by 20-30 per cent for front-office positions as well as employees with niche skill sets.