There were roughly 9 percent fewer permanent placement opportunities available to last month compared with August, recruitment consultancy Badenoch & Clark's latest 'talent spotlight' showed this week. The month on month slump was sharper still at 13.22 percent for temporary contracts.

However, the data showed a growing demand for tax and governance experts as banking groups looked to prepare their business for .

"The market continues to seek out auditors who can keep companies within the prescribed framework and reduce the cost of doing business," Badenoch & Clark's researchers said.

A , which recruiters warn employers to address and redress urgently, also emerged in the latest study. Nonetheless employee engagement remained high up the corporate agenda and a priority when it came to human resource policy-making.

"Despite the choppy nature of the economy, businesses need to ensure that they recruit smart and retain key talent to provide leadership and drive growth when markets improve," the report said.