A growing sector that is recruiting executives
The personal services sector was already one of the largest job providers in France, according to the 2020 Labor Needs survey carried out by Pôle emploi. The Covid-19 crisis has amplified the phenomenon. ” It is estimated that 500,000 jobs could be created in the next five years “, explains Didier Château, CEO of the Générale des Services franchise network and administrator of the Federation of services to individuals (FESP). These job opportunities that cannot be relocated concern low-skilled profiles in the fields of services for dependent people (nurse, etc.), daily life services (gardening, cleaning, etc.), family services ( childcare…).
But the sector also needs to recruit executives. Of the 1.6 million employees working in this sector, 600,000 work in associations and companies, including 10% in management positions. ” At OuiCare, managers represent 4% of our overall workforce, which is 18,000 people. They hold support positions at head office, in finance, human resources, marketing, etc. and as branch managers, account managers and franchisees. », explains Jean-François Auclair, general manager of O2 Care Services.
An unloved sector of executives
It will be understood: the personal services sector therefore welcomes executives with open arms. But are many white-collar workers projecting themselves there? The answer is no. “Few executives spontaneously want to work in personal services. The sector suffers from a strong image deficit. As in the construction industry, the professions are known to be difficult and the remuneration unattractive”, notes Mariam Khattab, director of Mozaïk RH, a recruitment firm specializing in diversity.
An opinion refuted by Jean-François Auclair. ” At OuiCare, an agency manager can be paid in the same way as a store manager “, he illustrates. At Babychou Services, which specializes in childcare at home, an area manager earns 26,700 euros gross per year. ” Compensation that can go up to 29,000 euros gross with bonuses for exceeding objectives “, emphasizes Claire Lanneau, director of the network. A confirmed agency manager can, meanwhile, receive up to 31,200 euros gross per year, excluding bonuses. Within the Shiva franchise, the salaries of an agency manager are between 28,000 and 30,000 euros gross, depending on the region.
The fact remains that in the end, few executives today spontaneously integrate the sector, where the social ladder works well. ” Candidates go there because they are forced to do so, because the actors of employment and temporary work send them there “, admits Didier Château. ” Since the beginning of the crisis, young executives have encountered difficulties in obtaining their first position. Sometimes they choose the personal services sector by default. The challenge for companies in this ecosystem is to retain them “says Mariam Khattab. To restore their image, companies must have a long-term vision. ” The shortage of profiles is such that they would do well to carry out group actions such as recruitment events”she adds.
A refuge sector for those disappointed by retail
Could the Covid-19 crisis, which has highlighted the personal services sector, change the way executives look? ” With the health crisis, the professions of personal services have emerged as essential to society. This is a point that deserves to be more valued in the employer brands of companies in the sector. », Believes Mariam Khattab. For Didier Château, who opens a new agency every month, there is indeed a good vein to exploit. ” We interview executives who have been crushed by strategies that are a little too capitalistic in their previous positions and who now wish to join a sector that makes sense, with values of empathy, proximity, solidarity… “, he testifies.
The advantage is that the sector is open to executives wishing to retrain, shortage of profiles requires. ” We regularly integrate former managers from retail who, after having worked under the pressure of numbers, wish to join a more human sector, focused on others. This is all the more true since the beginning of the crisis confirms Jean-François Auclair. What is certain is that personal services professions are “vocational” professions. ” Some executives are ready to accept less advantageous working conditions to exercise this profession out of passion “says Mariam Khattab.
Altruistic managers welcome!
Given the sometimes difficult working conditions in the sector, motivation and the desire to help others are essential criteria. They are particularly expected among manager profiles. ” In a job interview, this is what makes the difference, much more than their diploma”, insists Didier Château. And for good reason: the management acclaimed in the sector is that of hyper proximity. ” We ask executives to have a support position with home workers, who are poorly qualified and who can sometimes encounter difficulties with certain procedures. The human dimension is strong, especially as some populations have social problems. A single woman with children or homeless will have unforeseen planning that a manager will have to anticipate on a daily basis”, illustrates Jean-François Auclair. In this sector, however, executives are not required to wear a social worker cap. ” They should, however, expect to accompany the members of their team on extra-professional matters,” he warns. Aware of the social fragility of some of its stakeholders, OuiCare does not leave its managers alone. A team of clinical psychologists and occupational psychologists are available to the group’s employees, stakeholders and supervisors.