2024: The year for career transitions. Is now the right time for a new job?

Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): Thank you. Kia ora koutou, nō mai, haere mai, and welcome back to Frogs on Friday. This is my first for the year. Pleased to be here. Now, we've got a lot going on in the world at the moment, in the world of work, and it's a full show. So we'll start off with Mahi Media. We'll go through, we've recently had the New Zealand unemployment rates were released. So we'll talk a little bit about that and what that means for you. As always, we'll go across our hot jobs across New Zealand, Australia and the UK. And I'm joined today by Esha Nischol. So given the current market, we want to talk about whether or not now is a good time to kickstart your job search in New Zealand. So she's going to take you through the ins and outs of that and highlight some of those current labour market trends. And we'll finish off as usual with the social media poll results. So let's start off with Mahi Media.

Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): Okay, so as I said, the New Zealand unemployment rate results were released earlier in the month, and the increase was actually lower than expected. So it jumped up just 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0%. But I guess it was always going to be a mixed bag in terms of those results. So whatever the results, it would have a mixed reception. So on one hand, a rise can be seen as bad news. So especially if you're someone who is struggling to find work, of course it's going to be a concern. But if you look at the bigger scheme of things, it could also be seen as a positive thing overall to have an increase. as it eases pressure on the cost of living crisis. So I'm sure the Reserve Bank would have actually hoped for a higher unemployment rate, even though that that does seem strange. because they need a tighter jobs market to help tame inflation and really to allow the economy to cool off. But I guess regardless of the figure, we're already seeing changes in the job market. Of course, we had that massive influx of labour, so net gain in migration earlier or at the end of last year. And this can mean that if you are looking for work, you're very much likely to be in competition or definitely more competition than say the same time last year. Now, of course, we've got Esha on the show later on and she'll talk more about whether or not now is a good time to be looking for work. But my advice is if you are looking to change jobs, is that to recognise that the balance of power is steadily shifting back to the employer. So you will need to focus on really bringing what you can bring to the organisation, showcasing your worth rather than positioning or positioning strongly for extra benefits and the things that you're after. By all means, still go after them, but there will be a need to shift that focus a little bit. So let's take a look at some of the hot jobs this week.
Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): Okay, so we start off with our temp job in New Zealand. So we have a distribution officer. This one is based in Mount Wellington in Auckland and is run by Scott Bannister. So this one, I know that it's working within a fast paced environment. So the main responsibilities are looking after receipts, storage and dispatch. of different medical parts and products. So that attention to detail is really important within this role. And I know it's an excellent company to be able to join. So there's some excellent benefits of an offer for this role in joining the organisation. If you are interested in this role or similar type of work, please get in touch with Scott and our Auckland team. Let's go on to the perm position. Okay, so we have a permanent health and safety advisor role. This one's also based in Auckland. Again, a range of responsibilities, including managing incidents, investigating claims, and really overseeing that overall risk management for the organization. So of course, you'll need a solid experience within this sector. And if you do have experience specifically working with machinery and equipment, this will be an advantage for this role. If you're interested in this, get in touch with Sophia Hubin again in our Auckland office. Okay. And let's take a look at some of the jobs in our overseas branches. All right. So first up, we have a head of communications role in our London branch. This one's based in Winchester. Again, if you are looking to make the move over to the UK, we've got a fantastic team who are ready to be able to help you out. So get in touch with the people to people team in the UK or reach out to us and we can certainly make the introduction for you.

Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): Okay so we're we're only uh we're not even in through February second month of the year but there's already been some um I think some big shifts in in the market and changes for particularly for for job seekers this year ahead um so very pleased to have uh isha join me here today to be able to help us navigate some of those changes so what do you think Esha? is uh now a good time to be looking for a career transition?

Esha Nischol ( Frogs on Friday Guest):Well I think you know um at the moment with everything going on at the market I think we're all in that same boat of uncertainty we don't know what the year holds um I've personally been meeting with a lot of clients who at this point of the year they have sort of plans of what they're going to do for the rest of the year, but they're currently still in that planning phase right now. And I think going into a new year, a lot of people are already deliberating whether it's the right time to find a job or maybe make a career change. I think at the start of the year, we all fall into that. This is my nearest resolution and what can I do to improve my personal life? But I think generally speaking, the first half of the year is also a great time to think about what your career goals might look like in the coming year, especially if you are considering, you know, like a large transition or a change in the job.

Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): And what's some advice for those who are looking?

Esha Nischol ( Frogs on Friday Guest): So, you know, we always say the start of the year, as you said, so some people will be new year, new me, and will really go for it. Others will sit back and wait. And kind of that Waitangi Day holiday is often the benchmark for when things start to return to normal, people have come back from holiday, although I'm sure if they delayed, they'd be enjoying this lovely weather we're having now. But there's other things happening as well. So we have a new government in, the landscape is changing within the job market with a lot more job seekers flooding into the market with that net migration gain. So for those who are making that leap, what's some advice for them if they are looking for a change? So I'd say don't, you know, sort of there is a lot of candidates in the market, but don't let that sort of hold you back because there are still, you know, new opportunities that do come with the new year. Organizations at this time of the year until I'd say the first four months of the year do have that uptick in hiring as they set their new budgets and create those plans for projects that might be happening or people might have left. You've got that space to fill that void and help out there. There's definitely opportunities out there, but you may be competing with a lot more people. Given that this time we're still coming into it right now, things are a little bit slower, use that extra time to refresh your resume and refresh how you're going to set yourself apart from the other candidates. Whether that's adding in some hobbies that you like, thinking about what courses you can do to upskill so that while the hiring managers are away and still coming back and catching up with everything, and the pace is slower, you can sell yourself in the best light. Now, if you have been out of the workforce for a while, the new year brings you some fresh perspective. So if you're looking for a role, really take that time and energy into thinking about what is it that I'm actually looking for? What do I enjoy doing? Where are my skill sets best used? Because that can really help you figure out what the opportunities that you really want to spend a lot of time and effort into are. trying to get are um rather than applying for you know random roles that maybe you aren't that interested in um but I would say you know with having that influx of candidates in the market and we're being a little bit slower at the moment don't let it hold you back because I think a lot of people usually the white tangy days when we see things start to um pop back up with the changes a lot of the people I'm speaking to a lot of the people in the recruitment world and I guess my personal opinion is that we'll be starting to see that kick of things starting to wrap back up either the start of March or just after March coming into just after Easter when the financial year is ticked over. So definitely keep your eyes on opportunities 100% still there. Maybe use this time to register with agencies like us so that once those roles come in, you're ready to go and we can help you into a role.

Shannon Barlow (Frogs on Friday Host): Yeah, fantastic. I mean, that's great advice. And always, it's a little bit about getting that balance, isn't it? So even though You may be, well, you will be in more competition than if you were looking, let's say, last year. It was a very different market. But 4.0 was still a very low unemployment rate. So, you know, there's still businesses and organisations looking for quality staff like you. So put your best foot forward, but also balance that out with, as you said, really determining what's important to you and to be able to ask for those opportunities as well. a bit of a balance should see you right. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Esha. And if you do want some more advice, Esha and the rest of the team are more than happy to help you and to help you navigate this new market.