The number of job seekers without activity registered at France work increased by 3.9 % in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter, an increase of 3.5 % over one year. This is the highest increase in unemployment in France (excluding Mayotte) for a decade, outside the COVID crisis. Ile-de-France is the most affected region with a 2.7 % increase in the number of unemployed (Dares, January 27, 2025). Unlike the 1920s and 2022, where employment was dynamic, one could again attend sectoral shortages, limiting the negotiation margins and the requirements of candidates. Catastrophe in sight? Not in all areas.
“The beginning of 2025 is good, there are a lot of positions to be able on CDI, CDD and temporary worker,” analyzes Victor Gacon, coach consultant at Fed Business, the entity of Fed Group specializing in recruitment in sales, Marketing and communication. “On the other hand, the communication sector is experiencing a real slowdown. In times of crisis, this sector sometimes considered to be ‘tote’, undergoes budget cuts”. Some consulting agencies are experiencing drastic budget decreases.
What about commercial and marketing functions? For this professional who scrutinizes the market developments live, “marketing functions are also affected by the slowdown. Nevertheless, more technical marketing profiles, such as traffic managers and growth managers, are pulling out of the game”. In these three functions, remuneration in Ile-de-France are in ranges ranging from 35,000 to 50,000 euros per year for beginners, from 50,000 to 70,000 euros those justifying an experience of 5 to 10 years and 70,000 euros beyond (2024 remuneration study, Fed Business). However, wages are higher at the start of a career in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Transverse management is on the rise
The commercial function remains the best lotie. In the Paris region, remuneration starts at 25,000 euros annually for the department manager, the sedentary salesperson, the chief of the sector or the SDR (Sales Development Representative). At the other end of the spectrum, the national sales director such as the commercial director can claim an annual salary of more than 90,000 euros, against around 75,000 euros per year in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d ‘Azure. If the sale constitutes the core business of salespeople, candidates for management positions must have other qualities. “The most sought -after managers are those who empower their team members, who trust them and who are present if necessary. Curiosity and listening are essential. On the other hand, a management based on control is perceived of Very negative way “, underlines Victor Gacon. In marketing, you have to know how to deal with transverse functions, such as finances or communication. “Transversal management is very popular,” said the consultant. And wages follow: a director can claim an annual salary between 65,000 and 90,000 euros, depending on his experience.
What about candidates’ expectations to attract them? “Money is always a criterion to enter or stay in a business, but well-being and the balance between professional life and personal life are also very popular,” replied the expert of Fed Business. In addition, the recruitment of a good salesperson has an additional dimension: “The relationship with the manager is very important: when you enter a new business, you have to adapt to the team, listen, nice without Let yourself be walked on your feet, establish its legitimacy etc. When a manager does not succeed, a bad atmosphere can plague the rest of the group. changed “. An apocalyptic situation less rare than you think and above all very expensive: the departure of an employee and its replacement can represent between 25 % and 250 % of the annual salary according to the level of knowledge of the position. On average, replacing an employee costs 37.5 % of their annual salary, or 16,160 euros for a salary of 43,000 euros, according to the calculations of the specialized platform improved.
Finally, young graduates are better paid than three years ago: it is therefore better for profiles with a few years of experience to consider changing business so as not to find themselves financially exceeded by more recent recruits, and avoid Too much remuneration differences as their careers evolve. As for profiles, the most coveted young profiles, employers play security, says Victor Gacon. “The most sought -after profiles are those that have gone through the best business schools and engineers. They have the reputation of thinking faster, to be operational and dynamic.”
.