Blog Layout

A RECRUITER’S PERSPECTIVE OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS

September 29, 2020

A RECRUITER’S PERSPECTIVE OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS

Many people entered 2020 with huge plans, many organisations too. Come March 2020, the realities of the world we currently live in took shape for many Australians. Not only has COVID-19 hurt many people emotionally and physically, the virus has also infiltrated industries worldwide, which in turn has had a huge impact on the employment market globally.


As of June 2020, Australia sat at 7.4% unemployment (this was an increase from May 2020 where we sat at 7.1%) which meant we had hit our highest unemployment rate since November 1998. According to Trading Economics it’s forecasted that by the end of this current quarter, we will reach an unemployment rate of 8.2% and within 12 months, this will back down to 7.9% before settling at approximately 6.30% by 2022. Upon writing this piece, it was announced that Australia has hit one million unemployed. Wage growth in Australia has dipped to its lowest rate in 23 years. Businesses are starting to release the first full quarter results since COVID-19. Unfortunately, it seems things will get worse before they get better.


Although the outlook seems bleak, there have been certain segments which have been recruiting and flourishing in this current economic environment. Below is an outline of our take on the past six months:


Commercial Accounting: Over the past six months we saw the demand for Senior Financial Accountants increase where market feedback has suggested the upcoming six months will be all about the credit industry. While there are more candidates seeking employment, we haven’t yet seen companies taking advantage of this by offering salaries which are below market. Usually within an economic downturn you see an increase in demand for temporary/contract workers but due to the complexities of onboarding new staff remotely this time around, temporary opportunities have dropped, which in turn has meant that those who are unemployed haven’t been able to even get short-term work while looking for a role which provides stability. While the numbers are lower than pre COVID, permanent recruitment is still happening within several industry sectors such as FMCG, Resources, Government and Financial Services. While in the financial services and telecommunication sector there is talk of a lot of roles moving back onshore, so far this is just a whisper within the transactional accounting space with only a few teams so far bringing roles back home.


Government: The feedback we’ve been receiving from clients and candidates within multiple government areas is that roles are still active within ICT, Policy and Projects (especially for projects focused on driving efficiencies across departments). Rates on offer have remained the same as pre-COVID. Current feedback is that some hiring freezes in place may lift next quarter, however these could be extended. Each year we tend to see temporary contracts conclude around 30 June and 31 December, however this year the numbers weren’t higher than any other year with several contracts extended. Permanent recruitment and hiring of fixed-term contractors in this space is still quite active with multiple departments continuing to build out their teams. The demand for talent within regional locations has also increased on a temporary basis.


Banking & Finance: Demand for Risk and Compliance professionals is still strong, and this industry is still very active with recruitment, especially on a permanent basis. Due to the huge number of hardship requests these organisations had been experiencing, a large number of Collection & Hardship Managers have trained staff from multiple parts of their company on the hardship process and have upskilled a large number of their client services employees. Salaries have remained consistent. While many consumers aren’t entering new mortgages, there are still a lot who are seeking refinancing in the current environment. This has seen an increase in the demand for experienced mortgage professionals particularly within boutique mortgage firms.


Business Support/Customer Service: Business support roles have taken a hit over the past six months and we see this repeatedly during an economic downturn. Currently the demand for business support staff is down, however the demand for experienced project support officers is up as organisations take advantage of this time to get their foundations in place. There is a lot of talk of customer service roles moving back to Australia due to technical issues with offshore call centres during COVID. Again, there hasn’t been the usual demand for temporary staff within this area due to the complexities of onboarding within a remote environment.



What does the future hold? This time last year nobody could ever have predicted COVID-19 and its impact on the global economy. While the future may be uncertain and there are challenging times ahead, there is comfort to be found in the knowledge that companies are still recruiting, organisations are still expanding and there are still job opportunities out there. They may simply take a little longer to find. As we navigate the road ahead together and to the best of our abilities, we encourage all future job candidates to remain positive, continue to network where possible, and prepare themselves for any new professional opportunities that may come along. Remember, even this too shall pass.

What candidates really want…..from a recruiter who spends all day every day talking to candidates!

By Shazamme System User • April 21, 2023
What candidates really want…..from a recruiter who spends all day every day talking to candidates! So, what are the key drivers which motivate candidates in the current job market?  Job satisfaction: Candidates want to feel fulfilled by their work & enjoy what they do on a day-to-day basis. They search for roles that align with their skills, interests & values. Career advancement: Candidates seek out opportunities for growth within a company or industry. They want to know that their efforts will be recognized and that there are opportunities to move up the career ladder. Work/life balance: Candidates look out for roles which allow them to balance their work responsibilities with their personal life. This includes flexible work hours, work from home opportunities and additional leave which can be used for holidays, time with their family or even volunteering with an organisation close to their heart. Competitive remuneration: Candidates want to be fairly compensated for their skills & experience. They seek out roles which offer competitive salaries, benefits & other financial perks. With the increase in cost of living, this is becoming increasingly important to job seekers. Positive company culture: Candidates seek out a workplace that values team work, collaboration & a positive work environment. They want to work for an organisation that is committed to diversity & inclusion, supports employee well-being and can display their commitment to a sustainable future. A lot of organisations utilise the interview as a chance to talk through the candidates skills, throw in a couple of behavioural based questions, tell them about the job on offer and then skip to ‘have you got any questions for me?’. Perhaps next time, try really talking with your candidate about what will motivate them to say ‘yes, that job’s for me’. It will give you a chance to then display back to them all the fantastic opportunities on offer in your business. They may be extremely passionate about the environment, tell them about your sustainability committee; they may want to work in a role that is a solid stepping stone to a management accountant role, provide them with an example of someone in the organisation which has developed their career due to the internal support they received. It might make the process a little longer but at the end of the day, you will end up with a candidate that is engaged through the recruitment process and passionate about working for your organisation!

What the current talent shortage means for employers and employees alike

By Leona McCarthy • February 22, 2022
2022 may not be business as usual, but there’s still a lot to get excited about. Rethinking careers, re-evaluating work-life balance and seeking increased renumeration – these are the major factors influencing talent in the market and contributing to current workforce shortages. As we re-emerge from the depths of the pandemic and unemployment hits its lowest levels in years, there’s still one pressing issue facing the Australian workforce – a labour shortage. Following the ongoing changes to our professional lives throughout the last two years, it’s been a constant struggle for local businesses and organisations to find and retain the right talent. It seems the combination of a skills shortage and more than two years of no migration, has left the talent pool looking a little empty to say the least. So, why is the situation so dire even though we’re hitting record low levels of unemployment? Well, there’s the obvious increased demand for workers due to the delayed reopening of international border and its effect on a lack of talent – however there’s more to the story. According to the latest research by LinkedIn , as many as three in five Australian candidates are considering changing roles in the coming 12 months due to an increased desire to find a career that aligns with their lifestyle as well as their personal values. “People are really questioning what they want in life these days and how their employment aligns with their own ethics,” says SB Recruitment founder, Sarah Bolster. “Many are moving away from those big, large corporate organisations in favour or smaller organisations where they can feel more seen, more valued and like they’re having a positive impact on their patch in the world through their work.” But it’s not just the larger question or passion and purpose that’s playing a role in our ongoing talent shortage – many candidates are also basing their next move on flexibility and renumeration. “The work-from-home approach is starting to leave people feeling exhausted, so having that hybrid mix of home and office is something they’re really interested in,” adds Sarah. “They care about their family time, but they also need a place to escape and focus.” The biggest driver, however, is still the desire to increase their income. It appears that savvy organisations that want the best candidates, will also be the ones increasing their salaries. “Renumeration has continued to be a key driver here, and that won’t be changing any time soon,” says Sarah. “Candidates know they’re in high demand, which is why they’re taking their time to find the right role that speaks to their key motivations.” This is particularly true of public sector clients, according to Sarah, who are offering competitive salaries to attract talent with in-demand skillsets. Employees are even receiving enticing counter offers from their employers to remain where they are – as employers worry about top talent leaving for greener professional pastures. “In a skills-short market, it’s what employers need to do to retain their key contributors,” explains Sarah. Whether you call it the great resignation or the great reshuffle, it’s clear now is the time for agility, flexibility and a sharp focus on the future for both employers and employees.

Phone Interview Tips to Get You to the Next Round

By Leona McCarthy • December 9, 2021
There are plenty of us heading into the Christmas holidays with big plans for the year ahead. One of the items on your to-do list may include searching for a new role or pursuing a different career in 2022. If you’re looking at changing things up and are getting ready to prepare for your first phone interview in a while, we’ve got all the top tips to help get you back into the swing of things and through to the next round.  SET THE SCENE OK, if the chat is over the phone you may not need to worry about this one as much but if it’s via video call, a little preparation can go a long way. It goes without saying that we’re all video call experts at this point but just in case you haven’t been on camera in a while and your future employer is looking to conduct your interview this way, remember to still treat it like a professional experience – even if you’re at home with dirty laundry at your feet and last night’s dinner in the sink. Find a (clean) space with good natural light, plenty of wi-fi coverage, a simple background nothing too distracting in view. You’ll want to make sure your laptop or computer screen is propped up so the angle of the camera is just right, and your interviewers can feel like you’re sitting across from them in the room. It goes without saying – a professional ensemble and personal grooming won’t go astray. Most importantly? Remember to smile. You may feel overwhelmed, but you don’t want this to come across in your interview. Smiling will also help connect you to your audience. If you’re chat is on the phone, be sure to set your device to ‘silent’ so you’re not interrupted by any incoming notifications and be sure to find a quiet space with good network coverage so there are no connection issues. PREPARE IN ADVANCE Prior to your interview, make sure to consider any questions you may be asked, and rehearse your answers if possible. By saying these out loud, it will allow you to practice your responses and get comfortable with talking about yourself, your experience and your skills. Employers are becoming more and more conscious of soft skills, so being able to speak confidently and calmly is a major bonus. When practicing your responses, take your time and speak at a regular pace. Pause and remember to breathe. When we get nervous, we tend to speak faster and use a lot of ‘umms’ and ‘aahhs’ – some of us even add a nervous laugh or giggle to the end of our sentences. The more practice and the more you’re aware of this – the less likely it is to happen. Not sure what answers to prepare? You can’t go wrong with practicing responses about your strengths, weaknesses, past accomplishments or why you’re keen to take on the role. LOOK TO THE HORIZON To help show that you’re right for the role – consider all the things you’d like to achieve or implement within the first six months of getting the job. You might think about the potential there is to tackle ongoing challenges differently, or the need for new processes going forward. This will not only show that you’ve thoughtfully researched the organisation and have an understanding of the latest industry advancements and trends – it demonstrates you’re a proactive candidate that can bring fresh perspectives and opportunities to the organisation. ASK YOUR OWN QUESTIONS Remember – an interview isn’t just a one-sided experience. It’s just as important for you to get answers to your own questions as it is for the hiring team to hear from you – especially this early on in the process. You want to make sure the role and the organisation is the right fit, so have a think about any questions you may have. The best time to ask these questions will be towards the end of the conversation and will provide the opportunity for you to display your personality attributes a little more. It will also reveal more about your understanding of the role and give you the opportunity to mention any past accomplishments that haven’t already been discussed.

5 reasons why you should work with a recruiter

By Leona McCarthy • October 20, 2021
It can be time consuming and often exhausting looking for a role that aligns to your skills as well as your professional interests and expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new position or you’re hoping to re-enter the workforce after an absence or caring duties, having someone on your side to help navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead can be priceless. Here are five of our favourite reasons why working with a recruiter can have a positive and lasting impact on your career. 1 . You won’t be job hunting alone Teamwork makes the dream work, and when it comes to recruiters – you can rest easy knowing you’ve got someone in your corner doing their best to ensure your interests and skills align perfectly to the role you’re destined to get. A good recruiter doesn’t just work in the background either – they help you prepare for interviews, and provide feedback and assistance when the time comes to accept your eventual job offer. They’ll even help update your CV or portfolio as necessary, so you have the best chance at landing an interview. This doesn’t just streamline the job-hunting process, it helps save you time, as well. 2. You’ll have more access to more opportunities One of the best things about recruiters is that they know where the jobs are. While you may be able to keep an eye on multiple job boards for the role of your dreams, it’s important to remember that not every position is advertised this way. Many organisations rely solely on recruiters to find their ideal candidates. By working with a recruiter, you’ll have the best chance at accessing roles and opportunities within your chosen industry that aren’t always advertised publicly or online. Your recruiter will also be able to provide information about the role or organisation you’re considering that may not be available to you otherwise. 3. You’ll create a beneficial and lasting relationship Once you’ve worked with a recruiter, you’ll remain on their database going forward. This means you’ll have ongoing access to other opportunities while remaining front of my mind for any future roles that align to your unique skillset. This gives your relationship longevity and provides a level of mutual trust. If a recruiter knows you well, they’ll be able to instantly identify if a future position is suitable to your abilities, interests and experience. 4. Make the most of being connected When it comes to the job-search, recruiters have a network of industry connections they can access at any time. It’s almost like secret weapon you can utilise whenever you want to get yourself or your CV in front of the right people. Not only do recruiters have strong relationships with members of various HR departments and clients – they’ve got a personal understanding of what these individuals and groups are looking for with their next hire. Best of all – it’s all there for you to make the most of and reap the benefits. 5. No more awkward salary conversations When it comes to talking money, sometimes it can get a little uncomfortable. Candidates know what they’re worth but often feel too nervous or intimidated to ask for the salary they truly want. Recruiters help you get the renumeration package you deserve because they know your value, understand the market-rate for your experience level and have insight into the budgets for the roles they’re trying to place. If you’re looking to work with a recruiter or want to learn more about the services we provide at SB Recruitment, simply reach out to our team and we will do our best to find you the perfect next role.

TOP TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A RECRUITER

August 11, 2021
Just like any other relationship – it’s worth investing time and energy into this collaboration. With many of us changing jobs and careers multiple times throughout our lives, chances are you will have already worked with a recruiter or need to connect with one in the future. To get […]

CALLING “CUT” ON A BUSY CAREER IN TELEVISION

June 14, 2021
As part of a new ongoing series, SB Recruitment is shining a light on a range of talented individuals who after many years traded in their longstanding careers to chase their dream jobs. It’s our hope in these uncertain times, that you can find solace and inspiration in the idea […]

THE BEST QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW

June 8, 2021
This is your chance to learn more about the company, their vision and values, and how this aligns with the future role you’re hoping to score. There comes a time in every job interview when candidates finally get the chance to ask a few questions of their own. Not […]

MANAGING RETURN-TO-OFFICE ANXIETY

May 11, 2021
For thousands of Australians, the idea of returning to the workplace is filled with fear and uncertainty – but thankfully there are ways around the worry. After more than 12 months of work from home, employees across the country are slowly but surely returning to their offices and places […

THE TOP 3 QUALITIES OF AN AMAZING LEADER

April 8, 2021
Effective leadership at work has never felt more important – particularly in the wake of COVID-19 and how it’s forever changed our professional lives. With more and more employees logging on from home, juggling numerous priorities and trying to maintain some kind of work-life balance, having a boss who […]

HOW TO COMBAT IMPOSTER SYNDROME AT WORK

March 10, 2021
HOW TO COMBAT IMPOSTER SYNDROME AT WORK
More Posts
Share by: