Employers urged to take advantage of recruitment surge
Employers and candidates have been advised to make the most of the traditionally strong January recruitment market.
Job ads on the internet and in newspapers increased by 6 per cent in December – their strongest monthly growth rate since May 2007, according to the ANZ job advertisement series.
However, the level of total jobs ads remains 23 per cent lower than a year ago.
According to ANZ acting chief economist Warren Hogan, the surprising strength of recent jobs growth has seen forecasts for “peak” unemployment in 2010 come down considerably in recent months.
Rabieh Krayem, CEO of IPA Recruitment said that the spike was especially pleasing because it was larger than anticipated and spread across several sectors, including retail, finance, transport, logistics and mining.
“December is traditionally a steady month for permanent recruitment,” said Krayem. “However, employers are indicating they now need to rectify a shortfall in staffing. These astute employers have got in before the January recruitment rush.”
Krayem advised that a key sign of recovery will be when the conversion rate of temporary assignments into permanent roles accelerates.
“An employer who decides to convert a temp role into a permanent one is demonstrating confidence in their company’s prospects,” he said. “We are now seeing signs of this happening much more, but it is off a low base.”
For candidates who are thinking about changing position, Krayem offers some tips on how to be best prepared to move roles:
• Ensure your resume is flawless. Check for grammar and typos. Place dates on your resume.
• Know your resume and all its details in fine detail, inside out and back to front.
• Although you may be applying for many jobs, tailor your resume to suit the advertised role. Highlight the experience required for the role and prepare examples of each skill set.
• Respond promptly to opportunities. Don’t wait until the closing date.
• Do not exaggerate the truth because you will be asked questions to clarify any details that may not add up.
• Answer all question asked by your recruiter or interviewer.
• Be precise with your application, that is, if you state your career ambition is to become a pilot but you are applying for an office clerk role, you may seem like you aren’t striving for your goals and that you will not be committed to the role.
