Job Market Echoes Seasonal Trend

Job Market Echoes Seasonal Trend

The number of new jobs declined in October echoing the annual seasonal trend of labour market activity easing as year-end approaches. This dip is traditionally followed by a strong upswing in the New Year as employers look to fill positions that were held open throughout the holiday season.

“The dip of 3.9% in new job ads listed on www.seek.co.nz is typical for this time of year as businesses tend to hold off from hiring before Christmas. This can be due in part to the additional cost of covering statutory holidays and leave, and many businesses also see workloads wind down over the festive season,” explains Janet Faulding, General Manager SEEK New Zealand.

Despite the slight decline in October, new job ads are up 4.6% year on year and job listings are expected to bounce back strongly in the New Year.

“While this seasonal dip usually takes place in November and December, its early onset in 2011 could be attributed in part to the impact of the recent uncertainty in global markets on business confidence levels,” adds Ms Faulding.

The decline in new job ads in October was seen across the majority of the country with decreases across the North Island and in the Canterbury region. The rest of the South Island bucked this trend, recording a modest rise of 0.3% in October.

Seasonally adjusted, the SEEK Employment Indicator (SEI), the ratio of new job ads placed with SEEK during the month to the number of applications for those jobs, also fell in October with a decrease of 4.1% recorded. The decline in the SEI was driven by the dip in new job ads combined with higher numbers of applications received for those jobs.

Job Applications

October’s top five most competitive occupations:

1. Retail and Consumer Products – Retail Assistants

2. Administration and Office Support – Receptionists

3. Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics – Warehousing, Storage and Distribution

4. Hospitality and Tourism – Management

5. Information and Communication Technology – Help Desk and IT Support

Retail Assistant roles have been the most competitive jobs for four of the last six months, receiving more applications per job advertised than any other on www.seek.co.nz. Other classifications on the list are largely recurring placeholders, however Hospitality and Tourism Management roles enter the list for the first time in October.

October’s top five most sought after employees:

1. Healthcare and Medical – Physiotherapy, OT and Rehabilitation

2. Accounting – Business Services and Corporate Advisory

3. Engineering – Civil/Structural Engineering

4. Trades and Services – Automotive Trades

5. Government and Defence – Government

Those working in Physiotherapy, OT and Rehabilitation roles are the most sought after employees in New Zealand, moving into the top spot after two months off the list. These roles receive the least number of applications per job advertised, meaning employers find these positions hardest to fill.

-ENDS-

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