Job Market Favours Job Seekers

MEDIA RELEASE 7th October 2011

Job Market Favours Job Seekers

The labour market has shifted in favour of job seekers over the last month, according to the latest data released today by SEEK New Zealand.

The SEEK Employment Index (SEI) has risen by 0.5% in the last month, showing that the number of new jobs listed on www.seek.co.nz have grown faster than applications for those jobs. SEEK’s most recent data reveals a slight tightening of the labour market, creating more competition amongst employers looking to fill vacant roles.

“Last month we saw job applications grow at a slower rate than new job ads which means more favourable conditions for job seekers as some roles become less competitive. Employers will need to work harder to impress and secure the top candidates who will be enjoying the less competitive environment,” explains Janet Faulding, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

The SEEK Employment Index is the first NZ indicator to measure labour market supply against labour market demand, looking at the ratio of new job ads to the number of applications for those jobs. SEI data from the last four years shows Wellington consistently performing above the rest of the country and September was no exception. New Zealand’s capital city posted the strongest SEI growth with an increase of 10.3% well above the national average.

With sixty percent more jobs than any other jobs board in New Zealand, SEEK is able to provide robust and timely reporting on job vacancies around the country. Seasonally adjusted, the SEEK New Job Ads Index, a monthly measure of new jobs advertised on New Zealand’s largest job source, fell by 1.1% in September, but overall year on year growth remains positive at 15.6%.

Job Applications September’s top five most competitive occupations: Call Centre and Customer Service – Call Centre Operator Retail and Consumer Products – Retail Assistants Information and Communication Technology – Help Desk and IT Support Administration and Office Support – Receptionists Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics – Warehousing, Storage and Distribution

Call centre operator roles are the most competitive jobs this month, returning to the list for the first time since April and receiving more applications per job advertised than any other on www.seek.co.nz. Retail assistant roles move down one place to the second most competitive occupations after two months in the top spot, making IT help desk roles the third most competitive roles in September.

September’s top five most sought after employees: Accounting – Business Services and Corporate Advisory Government and Defence – Government Healthcare and Medical – Psychology, Counselling and Social Work Engineering – Civil/Structural Engineering Trades and Services – Automotive Trades

Those working in business services and corporate advisory are the most sought after employees in New Zealand, moving into the top spot following three consecutive months at number two. These roles receive the least number of applications per job advertised, meaning employers find these positions hardest to fill. Civil and structural engineers retain a place on the list of most sought after employees this month, moving up one place from August, while automotive trades and government roles reenter the list after dropping out last month.

-ENDS-

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