Salaries plateau in downturn

Salaries largely stabilised as the economic downturn hit, although pressure remains on earnings for roles where candidate demand continues to be high, a survey has found.

Such in-demand roles generally involved revenue generation, cost reduction and risk management elements, recruitment consultancies group Hays said in releasing its annual salaries' survey yesterday.

The survey covers more than 1000 job titles across 14 sectors, with more than 1700 New Zealand and Australian employers consulted.

Hays New Zealand managing director Jason Walker said the previous "overheated and unsustainable job market" had slowed.

"In the vast majority of cases, the premium salary that employers offered to attract a new recruit has all but disappeared. Sign-on bonuses have also become a thing of the past," he said.

"This has led to significant salary stability across the board. Candidates looking for a new role are aware of the market shift and so are focusing on the employer and the opportunity, rather than any possible increase in salary."

In the procurement area, demand was high for experienced forecasting analysts, demand planners, purchasing analysts, procurement managers, and strategic sourcing managers.

It also noted that while the depth of the skills shortage in information technology had reduced, pockets of specific expertise remained in high demand.

- NZPA