Hard Times Allow Employers More Choice

Hard Times Allow Employers More Choice
Simon Oldham

The downturn in the economy, subsequent restructuring and strict attention to overheads has led to a surge in applicants applying for fewer jobs.

For years in NZ, and globally, businesses have struggled to find and retain good staff. Employers have jumped at the opportunity of employing a staff member, rather than ensuring they found the right person, as skilled staff were hard to find. The challenge has been attracting candidates, and has led to some creative ways of advertising and looking for potential employees.

With the recession top of mind, there has been a power shift to the employer as employees and new graduates compete for advertised jobs. The job market competition is likely to intensify further with Treasury predicting unemployment will grow to 6.4% in 2010. With less job options, applicant numbers per job have increased dramatically since August 2008.

The increase in supply of candidates allows the employer a better chance of finding the right person for the role. As many employers will know, having the right person for the role directly relates to the performance of the business. It is important that they have the required skills and experience, and also that they fit into the company culture and team environment.

There is no denying that increased applicants may be a headache for some employers struggling to find the time to sift through them. However some new websites are providing free tools to allow employers to manage their candidates. Tools such as the Applicant Tracking System on www.qjumpers.co.nz allow employers to view and sort candidates, and dismiss unsuitable applicants with friendly communication tools. Snaphire is another web based talent management system that is designed to cut down administrative time. These tools relieve much of the administration time for those charged with recruiting, while still leaving them in charge of the process.

While overall economic news is grim, there are great opportunities out there for employers, and with smarter ways to recruit great staff, it is more affordable than ever.

ENDS

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