August Dip In New Jobs

12th September 2011

August Dip In New Jobs

While the year on year growth of new jobs in New Zealand remains strong at 15% compared to August 2010, the SEEK New Job Ad Index has revealed a slight decline in August in 2011.

Seasonally adjusted, new job ads across the country were 1.9% lower last month according to the SEEK New Job Ad Index. Canterbury continues to be the location bucking this trend, posting an increase of 2.9% in job ads in August, the regions sixth consecutive month of growth. The SEEK New Job Ad Index declined in Auckland by 1.9% and 6.2% in Wellington.

“While overall the job ad growth for 2011 is strong at 15.1%, the dip in new job ads this month follows substantial growth in July. Despite the volatility in the month-on-month figures, the longer term picture of slow and sustained growth in new jobs remains,” says Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

The SEEK New Job Ad Index is a monthly measure of new jobs advertised on New Zealand’s largest job source. With sixty percent more jobs than any other jobs board in New Zealand, this is a robust and timely indicator of job vacancies around the country.

The SEEK Employment Index (SEI) measures the ratio of new job ads placed on www.seek.co.nz during the month to the number of applications received for those jobs. In August this fell by 3% signaling a greater growth in applications than in new job ads.

“The SEEK Employment Index is currently over 5.5% higher than this time last year. Last month we saw a significant increase in applications received for roles advertised on www.seek.co.nz , these grew at a greater rate than the number of jobs advertised on the site, meaning job seeking conditions were more competitive in August,” notes Janet Faulding.

“When competition increases for roles, it is more important than ever for job seekers to ensure they are putting their best foot forward every time. I would definitely encourage all applicants to tailor their CV to the specific skills and requirements outlined in the job description before applying.”

Job Applications
August’s top five most competitive occupations:
1. Retail and Consumer Products – Retail Assistants
2. Information and Communication Technology – Help Desk and IT Support
3. Hospitality and Tourism – Bar and Beverage Staff
4. Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics – Warehousing, Storage and Distribution
5. Administration and Office Support – Receptionists

Retail assistant roles retain the title as the most competitive jobs this month, receiving more applications per job advertised than any other on www.seek.co.nz. Help Desk and IT staff move to the second most competitive occupations (up from third position in July 2011) and bar and beverage staff enters the list for the first time in the third spot.

August’s top five most sought after employees:
1. Healthcare and Medical – Physiotherapy, OT and Rehabilitation
2. Accounting – Business Services and Corporate Advisory
3. Information and Communication Technology – Consultants
4. Legal – Legal secretaries
5. Engineering – Civil/Structural Engineering

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and those that work in rehabilitation are the most sought after employees for the second month running. These roles receive the least number of applications per job advertised, meaning employers find these positions hardest to fill. Information and communication technology consultants and legal secretaries move into the list for first time taking out the third and fourth spots in the list.

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media