Hays : Will you be able to secure a new permanent job in FY16-17? NZ still scoring goals for job growth

Forty four per cent of New Zealand employers expect to increase their permanent staff levels in the coming year, according to recruiting experts Hays. This far exceeds the 8% of employers who expect to decrease their permanent headcount.

The findings come from the 2016 Hays Salary Guide, which is based on a survey of 419 organisations in New Zealand, representing 245,716 employees.

It shows that three-quarters of employers believe the skill shortage will impact the effective operation of their business or department in a minor (49%) or significant (25%) way and 76% expect business activity to increase in the year ahead.

It's understandable then that 76% would consider employing or sponsoring a qualified overseas candidate in skill-short areas.

'We may no longer be a 'rock star' economy, but New Zealand still scores goals when it comes to maintaining a buoyant recruitment market,' says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

'There's no doubt that employers are getting on with the task at hand by adding highly-skilled professionals to their headcount. They are confident that business activity will increase over the coming 12 months. And they have recognised the need to respond to the skill shortage by, amongst other strategies, becoming more willing to recruit from overseas.

'But one thing they aren't doing, so far at least, is using salary to attract and retain highly-skilled professionals. Despite a steady job market and demand outstripping supply for such professionals, especially those with local experience, there's no intention to make any substantial salary increases.

'For job seekers, our advice is to focus on the growing number of permanent jobs as they will create an opportunity to secure a role that provides immediate career advancement or a long-term career path. By focusing on your ultimate career goals, you can find a role that will help get your career to where you ultimately want it to be,' he said.

The Hays Salary Guide includes salary and recruiting trends for over 1,000 roles. It is based on a survey of 419 organisations in New Zealand, representing 245,716 employees, as well as placements made by Hays.

Get your copy of the 2016 Hays Salary Guide by visiting www.hays.net.nz/salary, contacting your local Hays office or downloading The Hays Salary Guide 2016 iPhone app from iTunes.

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Hays, the world's leading recruiting experts in qualified, professional and skilled people.

For further information please contact Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand, on jason.walker@hays.net.nz or +64 (0) 9 375 9424.