Recruitment still a challenge

Finding the right people still a challenge, says Martin Wojnowski.

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Finding high-quality interior design staff is still a challenge in this market, according to Martin Wojnowski, design principle of Dubai-based design firm, Design Work Portfolio.

Staff shortages, as well as challenges with recruitment and retention, were characteristic of the market prior to the economic slowdown. However, the crisis has done little to alleviate the problem, Wojnowski has suggested.

While there is a glut of job seekers on the market, high-level candidates are still hard to come by, he maintained. “Finding the right people to fill our vacancies is still a challenge. It seems like the best candidates have retained their positions throughout the economic slump and are not considering a career move. In response to our job adverts we receive hundreds of CVs. Only a handful get shortlisted. Quite often the selected ones do not make it through the probation period.”

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Companies involved in high-end projects are finding it particularly difficult to find the right calibre of employee. “We work on high-end, commercial interior design projects. The specific character of the projects, as well as our clients, poses various recruitment challenges. Very few locally available candidates understand the specific nature of contemporary, international hotel design standards. They are not acquainted with the appropriate references,” said Wojnowski.

“Their understanding of design in the commercial sense is limited as well. Applicants usually come from a contracting background or other design firms with no exposure to high-end international projects. Very few candidates are well oriented in the materials, finishes, furniture or lighting available locally.”

As well as local knowledge of local FF&E markets, potential employees should have good budgetary awareness, the ability to develop intricate design details, exceptional documentation ability, proficiency in graphic software and, above all, good design instincts, Wojnowski explained.

There has also been an interesting shift in the way companies recruit, with Internet portals becoming an increasingly popular and cost-effective method of reaching out to prospective employees.

The issue of retention is also still a major obstacle for many design firms, Wojnowski suggested, and is linked to deeper management issues. “I feel that many design firms suffer from serious management issues. Designers are usually disastrous managers. Staff feel insecure and pressured in a negative way. The atmosphere in the studio is often toxic.

“Staff feel that they have no clear direction. I remember myself working for one such Dubai company. The management was disorganised and deeply arrogant at the same time. Eventually, they faced the challenge of staff and client retention.”