Last year’s tumultuous events have left the employment market in a state of unpredictability. During the surging waves of infections, quarantines and lockdowns were hurriedly put in place, which led to fewer people going out and more businesses closing down. The economy was in a downturn.

This influenced the candidate’s mindset and, in turn, affected their behaviour when looking for jobs during the last year. Below are findings based on SEEK’s employment market update of 2020.

Significant drop in application rates

Across the market, there was a material fall in application rates. According to the report, a 14% overall drop in applications per ad in the year-over-year for 2019 and 2020. This means that there were fewer available candidates in 2020. 

But this decline was not because of fewer visits to the job site. We can see in the data that the number of site visits has remained almost the same for 2020 compared to the 2019 data. So why are there fewer candidates applying for job? The answer lies in the conversions from job ad view to completing an application. 

According to data, the number of views job ads get and the application per ad are widening. With fewer applications, this means that candidates are becoming more selective with the roles they intend to apply for.

People were less inclined to leave current roles

One reason for the drop in applications is that fewer people are inclined to leave their current roles. The pandemic affected candidates’ intention to switch careers, their main sentiment being, “I was planning to leave my current job but decided to stay because of COVID-19.” Around 31% of those surveyed agreed with this statement. And 1 in 3 people was held back from changing roles due to the virus outbreak. 

Not only that, a lot of them have expressed worry and are on alert for further impacts from the virus, with 7 out of 10 candidates surveyed being worried about another wave of infected cases.

Survey shows job security became a top priority

Another factor that affected the candidate’s mindset is job security. The pandemic caused millions of people to lose their jobs. This resulted in candidates switching their priorities when looking for jobs. 

Pre-pandemic, the factors that affected a candidate’s decision to apply for a job were the following: 

1. Salary compensation
2. Work-life balance
3. Career development opportunities
4. Job security

But now, job security has taken the top spot, followed by work-life balance, flexible hours scheduling, working conditions/environment. This shift may have also been impacted by the work-from-home model that many companies adopted last year.

Overall decline in applications per job ad across all industries

Industries with low salary brands suffer the lowest rate of applications per job ad, with the hospitality and tourism industry with a -57% rate of applications, followed by trades and services (-49%) and manufacturing, transport, and logistics industry (-47%)

However, two industries with high salary bands saw an increase in applications during 2020. The legal industry had a 39% increase in applications per ad, and engineering-related jobs increased by 2%.

2020 was tough for everyone but 2021 is starting to look up as vaccinations are underway and many businesses are opening back up, likely looking to hire again. In fact, Australia is among the quickest to recover from unemployment as the unemployment rate falls to 5.5%. 

Are you looking to hire new talents for your company as the economy picks up again? Start the conversation with the best IT recruitment consultants in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane by emailing office@redwolfrosch.com.au or calling 1300 544 652.

When starting a new job, it’s only natural that you want to be seen as a professional, someone confident and dependable. Even if you’re a newbie and don’t know much about your company, team or expectations, you can still get a good impression with these expert tips.

• Research

Always do your research about the company you’ll be working at. If you still have some time before you start at your new job, check out their website or social media to get a feel for the work environment.

You can also reach out to your manager and ask them about the appropriate dress code or anything specific that you would need to know to help you out on your first day. Doing so shows that you’re proactive and will leave a great impression on your future teammates. 

• Confirm your schedule

Even if it’s on the job description, don’t assume you know your work schedule. There may be routines that they follow that you don’t know about, so it’s best to ask ahead of time, like gathering together a few minutes before work or a carpooling situation. Ask what time you’re expected so you can arrive early and impress your boss.

• Test run everything

Make sure that things will go as smooth as possible when starting your job. When working on-site, test out your commute to avoid being late. If you’re working at home, make sure that the equipment you’re using is in good condition and your internet connection is strong and stable and nobody is about to go into the pit outside your place and start messing around with wires. 

• Meet with your manager

During your first day, checking in with your manager can benefit you in the long run. According to a study done by Microsoft, new hires who met with their managers on their first week boosted their feeling of belonging and made them stay longer. They also had better meetings and better collaborations compared to those who didn’t have a one-on-one. 

• Build relationships

As a new hire, introductions and meeting new people will be the standard. You can go over introductions ahead of time virtually or wait until you’ve met with them face to face. Be ready to share information about yourself but don’t go overboard. They don’t need to know about your life story. Limit it to your background and a bit about yourself for a professional first impression. And before you know it, you’ve made new friends!

• Ask questions and feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Since you’re new, it’s expected of you and encouraged. Naturally, you want to appear confident and capable, but appearances will mean nothing if you fail at a task or cannot do your job. The biggest mistake you can make as a newbie is to assume how to do a job and that asking questions makes you a nuisance. Asking questions will show that you’re willing to learn and make sure that you’re doing your job correctly. Also, don’t forget to ask for feedback for further improvement.

• Listen and learn

Of course, once you ask questions, be prepared to listen to the answers. If necessary, make written notes so you can refer back to them when you’re lost. Try to take in as much information as you can. Also, learn to pay attention to what is not being said. Learn to pick up on subtext or nuances for more productive workplace communication.

• Manage your time wisely

It won’t take long before your workload starts to pile up, and you’ll be overwhelmed. That’s why it’s essential to begin creating good time management skills. Start slowly and build up the habit of setting your priorities. This can only benefit you in the long run.

• Mind your own business

Some newbies make the mistake of involving themselves in office matters that are none of their business. While some work environments are generally peaceful and friendly, some are a tangled web of gossip. Try to avoid them if you can unless someone is doing something unethical or is creating an unsafe working environment.

• Relax and be positive

it’s normal to feel the first-week jitters when you’re new. But you can set them aside by adopting a positive attitude. Remember, they chose you out of all the other candidates. No need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Just remember to do your work as best you can while still being warm and cordial to your team members.

So push those newbie nerves to the side and do some self-care to calm yourself down. Every day is a learning process. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself making meaningful connections at your workplace and contributing a lot to your work.

Are you ready for your first day on the job? Or are you still on a job hunt? Start the conversation with the best IT recruitment consultants in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane by emailing office@redwolfrosch.com.au or calling 1300 544 652.

Working green is now the new normal. Sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives in the workplace are more than just a fad and are now highly encouraged. Research shows that doing so brings real business benefits for a company. Here are the advantages of having a sustainable workplace.

Benefits of a sustainable workplace

Improved brand image

Customers are more likely to purchase products or services from a company that considers its impact on the environment. They are more interested in businesses that align with their values. So if they are aware that your company is mindful of its environmental impacts, customers are more inclined to buy your products and services.

Increased productivity and reduce costs

Developing sustainable business practices leads to a streamlined and efficient operation. Your company conserves resources which in turn enhances employee productivity and reduces cost. Having a green workplace is also proven to reduce the average sick days of employees, thus making them more productive. Additionally, employees are more satisfied and are more willing to stay longer in the company.

Easier to comply with regulations

Due to growing concern for the environment and dwindling resources, regulations and laws are being passed to protect the environment. If you’re already practising sustainability in your workplace, then your company is in a position to meet these regulations promptly. It’s a seamless process for a sustainable company, and more time will be spent being productive.

Increase employee recruitment and retention

Future employees will want to associate with a company that is mindful of its carbon footprint, especially the younger generation who grew up exposed to messages about environmental protection and who are more likely to work for a company with values that align with their own. Furthermore, companies that are proactive with their ecological and social programs have happier and more loyal employees.

Improved financial and investment opportunity

Investors also consider a company’s values regarding sustainability and environmental awareness when choosing what to invest in. Financial and investment analysts have found environmental sustainability plans in a company are essential criteria for evaluation. So not only are you reducing costs with energy-saving strategies, but you are also gaining profit by attracting investors who support your company’s cause.

Minimise waste and carbon pollution

And, of course, the main benefit of practising sustainability in the workplace is to minimise the carbon output and improve energy efficiency for the benefit of the planet and future generations.

Ways to become a sustainable workplace

• Reduce energy and water usage – You can do this by using energy-efficient light bulbs, utilising natural lighting if possible, and encouraging water-saving practices in common areas like kitchens or cafeterias, etc.
• Choose sustainable suppliers – For office supplies, consider buying items made of recycled or eco-friendly materials. Or better yet, go paperless to reduce the waste produced significantly.
• Consider parking and transport to your office – Carpooling is an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles. Plus, it saves you money for gas or commute fare. You can also encourage employees to use other modes of transport like bicycles by offering storage facilities for such.
• Add plants – Add greenery to your office! According to a study done by psychologists at Exeter University, adding plants to the workplace can boost productivity and mood among workers. Plus, it helps in reducing air and noise pollution indoors, especially if it’s an open-plan workplace.

Has your workplace started going green? Start the conversation with the best IT recruitment consultants in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane by emailing office@redwolfrosch.com.au or calling 1300 544 652.