New figures from Sigmar Recruitment show that more people moved jobs in the second quarter of this year compared to any other quarter over the last 20 years.
Sigmar said the current figures are up 6% on the previous record set in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
It said the first half of the year saw strong, consistent growth with job placements breaking all records in the month of May, with June accounting for the second highest month ever.
Today's figures show that 76% of job placements were permanent, while 24% temporary and contract
IT accounted for one third of all job placements throughout the quarter, followed by Financial Services, Sales and Marketing, Accountancy, Life Science and Manufacturing, Office Support, Public Sector, Construction, Professional Services.
Business confidence has also grown steadily over the course of the year, as the vaccination programme gathered momentum, Sigmar noted.
Although the vast majority of job placement in the second quarter of this year were understandably remote, Sigmar said the tide is beginning to change with the majority of employers now committing to hybrid work over the coming three months.
Sigmar founding director Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig said the jobs market in Ireland has never been stronger or more buoyant than it currently is.
"We're seeing several macro trends converge all at once, which is creating significant churn in the market. Remote working has literally opened up a world of new opportunity no longer bound by location," Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig said.
"This is coupled with a rising tide of consumer confidence, as many professionals find themselves in a stronger financial position than before the pandemic," he added.
The Sigmar boss said that the last 18 months has asked big questions of us all, and the humdrum of lockdown has created a desire for change which is now resulting in unprecedented numbers of people moving jobs.
"Employee loyalty is increasingly under question, with remote work being less enjoyable, many workers are now committed to the experience of work over the employer, adding further to the current levels of churn," he added.
Mr Mac Giolla Phádraig likened remote work to long-distance relationships, which in many cases do not work out.
"We've gone from "living" with our employees in an office environment to long distance relationships, which often sees commitment recede over time. The context of location also opens up new experiences and possibilities, which are now being explored on a scale never before seen," he said.
"If we thought the war for talent was tough, just wait for the battle of attrition. Retaining workers rather than attracting them is now emerging as the number one challenge for businesses across the globe," he added.
