Job applications surged by 61.6% from April to June compared to the same period last year, while listings have decreased by 39.7% across all regions and industries, making competition among job seekers stricter than ever, Trade Me Jobs’ latest data has revealed.
“This increase in applications shows that it is becoming increasingly harder to secure a new role with less and less options available to jobseekers. With the unemployment rate reaching levels not seen since 2021, it’s a tough time out there for anyone on the hunt for a job, but it is a great time for businesses who are looking for talent,” said Trade Me Jobs Sales Director Matt Tolich.
Trade Me said the percentage of job applications has hit an all-time high as job seekers face limited options in the current job market. One recruiter suggests beneficiaries being encouraged to apply for any available position may be contributing to the surge in application numbers.
The roles that received the most applications on the site during the April to June quarter included a donations collector in Invercargill, part-time checkout operators in Manukau City, and a support worker in Matamata.
Some of the jobs with the highest average number of applications per listing were hospitality and tourism, transport and logistics, and retail.
“These are often industries that have more entry-level roles, and we can see waiting staff, kitchen staff, and housekeeping had the highest average of applications per listing,” Tolich said.
Meanwhile, the average advertised salary nationwide has reached a record high of $72,717, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.7%. However, this rise can largely be attributed to a decline in lower-paying job listings.
“Driving up the national salary is the fact that we are seeing less low paid jobs. When looking at roles that pay less than $60,000, we’ve seen a drop of 60% compared to last year,” Tolich said.
“However, it’s a positive sign for those in intermediate and senior roles. New Zealand employers are still offering competitive salaries to keep pace with inflation and remain competitive,” he added.
Record salaries have been reported in several regions:
- Auckland at $75,112
- Bay of Plenty at $71,882
- Canterbury at $71,830
- Gisborne at $71,692
- Manawatu/Whanganui at $68,639
- Northland at $71,739
- Otago at $73,302
- Southland at $72,291