By Tony Roy, President of CareerBuilder EMEA
A career in culture may be a neighbourhood away
While it might be enticing to work in the areas of culture, media or sport, these jobs are often difficult to find. Yet according to our new study, a more targeted approach might be needed. The study discovered that certain boroughs of London are experiencing more growth than others when it comes to culture, media and sports positions. Topping the list is Hounslow, which has seen the highest increase in these jobs since 2011, with 5,894 jobs in culture, media and sports, a 37 per cent increase from 2011-2014.
Potentially spurring this growth is the commitment made by the borough’s local council to increase the retail and leisure market in each of its four town centres. Behind Hounslow is Ealing, where 2,396 jobs in culture, media and sports could be found, a growth of 28 per cent since 2011. Merton follows next, with a 20 per cent increase in these types of positions from 2011-2014. Other London boroughs with a high number of actors, presenters, musicians, dancers, photographers, graphic designers, fashion designers, sports players, coaches and fitness instructors include:
- Hackney: 2,772 jobs in 2014; +16 per cent from 2011-2014
- City of London: 2,929 jobs in 2014; +14 per cent from 2011-2014
- Camden: 9,653 jobs in 2014; +13 per cent from 2011-2014
- Islington: 4,803 jobs in 2014; +11 per cent from 2011-2014
- Kensington and Chelsea: 2,816 jobs in 2014; +10 per cent from 2011-2014
- Barking and Dagenham: 455 jobs in 2014; +10 per cent from 2011-2014
- Westminster: 19,891 jobs in 2014; +9 per cent from 2011-2014
Yet not every borough is seeing a similar rise in culture-related careers. For example, Lewisham has experienced the biggest decrease in culture, media and sports jobs, down 9 per cent.
Where specific jobs can be found
Depending upon the particular type of job you’re seeking, some boroughs may have more opportunities in your field than others. If you are pursuing a position in sport such as a coach or fitness instructor, you may find the most success in Enfield, which has seen a 30 per cent growth in these jobs since 2011. However you’re less likely to find a suitable job in Lewisham, which has experienced a 42 per cent reduction in these roles.
Graphic designers and fashion designers may want to concentrate their job search in Haringey (28 per cent growth from 2011 to 2014). Yet, their search may not be as fruitful in Sutton, where design jobs have fallen by 29 per cent since 2011. Hounslow is home to a wide range of opportunities for jobseekers pursuing artistic, literary and media positions such as actors, presenters, musicians, dancers and photographers. It has seen the most significant change in the number of these types of jobs from 2011-2014 (47 per cent). Greenwich, on the other hand, may provide limited opportunities, as it has been faced with the biggest decrease in these jobs, by 23 per cent.
Setting your sights on a successful search
London may be experiencing a cultural renaissance of sorts, with many of its boroughs seeing growth in the categories of sport, design and art. Jobseekers seeking careers in culture need only to target the right boroughs if they want to increase their chances of landing that dream position.
Tony Roy heads CareerBuilder’s European operations and is responsible for driving expansion efforts in the EMEA region. Roy manages the strategic direction and growth opportunities for multiple markets and recently led the acquisitions of two key employment sites in the UK and Germany. Focused on connecting top employers with top talent, Roy manages CareerBuilder EMEA’s sales and marketing strategies and partnerships, and plays a key role in developing innovative solutions for employers.