KEY POINTS:
A new study of online job applications shows the New Zealand employment market is continuing to deteriorate, the head of one job website says.
The study of 61,000 vacancies on Trade Me Jobs during the second half of 2008 showed a increase in the number of people seeking employment but a reduction in the number of positions available.
The number of applications per vacancy rose by 32 per cent, Trade Me Jobs boss Jimmy McGee said.
"Customer service roles, and the banking and finance sector are the hardest hit by the labour market contractions," he said.
But there was some reprieve with central government, local council and engineering still showing growth, he said.
The best paid profession was IT sales with an average salary of $123,786.
Other IT jobs also commanded six-figure salaries including IT architects ($117,073), IT project managers ($107,995) and functional consultants ($107,109).
"Even in the current climate, high calibre revenue generators are in demand and paid accordingly," he said.
Outside IT, the best paid professions were doctors ($109,431) financial controllers ($105,995), construction project managers ($104,358) and engineering project managers ($100,720).
Kitchen staff, baristas and caregivers were the worst paid professions.
Mr McGee said the outlook for the 2009 employment market was bleak.
"We're likely to see three employment trends in 2009. First, the downturn will become more widespread. Second, pay rates on offer for new employees will be flat. Last, while workers will continue to look at new opportunities, they'll be reluctant to jump ship unless the business is rock solid and the opportunity outstanding," he said.
- NZPA
