Our regular jobs update from nzherald.co.nz's recruitment specialist
In reviewing company statistics from previous years, December for us is always strong. Businesses are thinking ahead and getting organised for the New Year and candidates are preparing for a fresh start.
In the last two weeks (especially in Auckland) the number of permanent roles listed with us has tripled.
The majority of these clients wish to get their jobs placed pre Christmas to ensure notice period has been given and the new employee is ready for work in January 2010.
Clients in the majority of sectors are without a doubt getting busier. Most are saying to us that if they don't get additional resource this side of the holidays, it will definitely be required in the first quarter of next year.
However, we have found the candidate market has made a strong change. It is very much about the dollar - who is going to pay them the highest salary? There is a common misconception from employers that there are hordes of fabulous candidates waiting with bated breath to be offered any opportunity to re-enter the workforce.
High volumes of job seekers are still applying via the internet, but once again the applicants are not necessarily quality. What has changed significantly are the candidates who are making it to interview and being offered the jobs are now coming back and asking for more money or waiting on other offers to see if they can get more elsewhere.
Clients however are stuck in the frame of mind that with unemployment still climbing they can get away with paying a bit less. Those months are over; the candidate is now back in the market with a determination to get a high base salary. They will opt for salary over all-round job satisfaction from now on. 2009 has left a bad taste in their mouths.
As recruiters this is the new battle we face. We have to manage both the clients' and candidates' expectations very carefully, keeping them both realistic under the current market direction. Yes, the recruitment market is a lot better compared to the beginning of the year. There are now improved employment opportunities for well skilled candidates and employers want the best they can get.
At the moment my team is looking around and saying that they are so busy it feels like old times. They are brushing the light dust off the key board and candidate profiles are flying out the door to prospective employers. All encouraging signs for recruitment in 2010, but is the flurry going to continue?
After this year, I personally feel it's harder to gauge the short term future. In the past it has been much easier to get a strong estimate of billings, where the work is coming from and what the market is like. This past year it has been near impossible.
Each time you get a wave of recruitment, you hold your breath hoping that this is it - finally a bit of consistency, only to find another dip in the market. However, I have to say since July of this year we have seen (once again in Auckland especially) a consistent up-turn.
We are finding a large percentage of businesses this year are enforcing extended leave over Christmas, we all know January is going to be a very quiet month. Employers, after the year they have had, are closing down and having only skeleton staff on over this time.
So, overall as I look back on this year, never wishing to repeat history, I feel the future is a lot brighter. How did I come to this conclusion? Our clients are telling us.
* Kate Ross is the managing director of Kinetic Recruitment