News & Media

This resource for journalists and investors includes media releases, announcements and statements.

SEEK Employment Index

Media Contacts

Media representatives can contact Annemarie Duff (SEEK NZ General Manger) for information on topics such as:

• the origins and future of internet recruitment
• tips on how to conduct an effective online job search
• success stories and case studies of recruiters and job hunters who are using the Internet to fill — and find — jobs faster
• interviews with SEEK representatives

Contact SEEK by email, by phone on 09 920 2343 (international 00 64 9 920 2343 GMT +12 hours) or fax 09 523 5595.

2010 Media Releases

• 10.03.10 NEW JOB NUMBERS HIT 12 MONTH HIGH
• 05.03.10 NEW POLL SAYS JOBS NOT CREATED EQUAL

NEW JOB NUMBERS HIT 12 MONTH HIGH

The latest SEEK Employment Index (SEI) report reveals new job numbers have hit a 12 month high.

Data released today by SEEK New Zealand, shows over 12,700 new job advertisements were placed on seek.co.nz in the month of February alone.

“February has outperformed every other month since January 2009” says Annemarie Duff, General Manager of SEEK New Zealand.

The latest report also reveals where the new jobs are coming from by tracking changes in job growth across regions. This month Auckland loses its market lead in new job growth to Wellington.

Last month Auckland led with the highest new job numbers (a significant 16.2% growth was reported), however this month new job numbers in Auckland have decreased slightly (-2.7%).

Wellington has swept into the top spot with 9.0% growth, a 4.4% increase on last month. Christchurch has also fought back from last month’s significant decrease in new jobs (-9.3%) with positive new job growth at 0.5%.

The SEI report tracks both new jobs and applications for those jobs posted on SEEK, and while there is an increase in total new jobs, there’s also a further increase in applications. Overall this means the market is tighter.

Ms Duff explains that in a tight market, it’s more important than ever for job seekers to carefully tailor each application.

“When an employer is faced with a lot of applications, they have even less time to spend matching you to the job, so give yourself the best chance by making the employer’s job easier. Clearly tailor your CV to the position so it’s more likely to make the shortlist.”

The SEEK Employment Index

The SEEK Employment Index (SEI) is a dynamic snapshot of the match between the supply of job seekers and the demand for workers on seek.co.nz (i.e. the ratio of new job advertisements posted on seek.co.nz to job applications submitted to seek.co.nz). It is unique to other indicators as it measures job supply and demand.

Seasonally adjusted, the SEI shows a 3.9% decrease in February 2010, after a considerable increase of 6.7% in January this year. Overall, this represents a 3.9% decrease compared to the same period last year.

After a significant upward change in the index last month, the latest data suggests a softening trend this month driven by continued growth in applications, which rose more sharply than new job ads. Although economic fundamentals continue to improve, recovery in the market will be gradual as more people enter the labour force.

Job Applications

February’s top five most competitive occupations:

IT Help Desk remains in the top spot on the most competitive occupations list; these roles are receiving hundreds of applications for each position advertised. Call Centre roles have moved up a place becoming even more competitive at number two this month, while Administration rounds out the top three by moving up a spot from number four last month.

February’s top five most sought after employees:

IT Consultants remain the most sought after employees this month, whereas Education and Training roles have fallen off the list entirely to be replaced by Engineering Management at number two. Government roles remain stable at number three, and Health and Legal job categories have swapped places at four and five from last month.

For further information or to arrange an interview with SEEK General Manager Annemarie Duff, please contact:

About SEEK

SEEK Limited is the leading online employment and training site in New Zealand. SEEK is a media company using the internet as its distribution channel. SEEK (NZ) Ltd was incorporated in September 1999. SEEK (NZ) Ltd manages seek.co.nz, New Zealand’s largest employment website and one of the best known Internet brands. Currently over 12,000 employment vacancies are advertised on SEEK in New Zealand and over 860,000 unique visitors are drawn to the website.

About the SEEK Employment Index

Developed in consultation with Victoria Centre for Strategic Economic Studies at Victoria University, Melbourne, the SEEK Employment Index (SEI) is the first New Zealand aggregate indicator to measure the interaction between labour market supply and labour market demand. Specifically, the SEI represents the relationship between demand for workers and jobseeker activity. When the index increases, it demonstrates a ‘tightening’ employment market; where advertisers find it harder to fill roles (i.e. demand outweighs supply). This is favourable for jobseekers, as job opportunities are greater and competition between applicants is reduced. Inversely, as the index falls, it demonstrates a ‘softening’ employment market (i.e. supply outweighs demand) and advertisers find it easier to fill roles. In this instance, jobseekers need to compete more for available jobs.

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NEW POLL SAYS JOBS NOT CREATED EQUAL

New Zealanders believe equal opportunities do not exist for men and women in the workplace.

The finding comes from the SEEK Watercooler Index, a new poll that tracks the attitudes of New Zealanders on workplace issues.

The Watercooler Index surveyed both New Zealanders and Australians and found similar attitudes on either side of the Tasman; 60% of all respondents believe that equal opportunities between men and women do not exist in the workplace.

According to Statistics New Zealand, in June 2009, women earned 81% of men's average weekly earnings, and 87.8% of men's average hourly earnings.

Responses to the poll included comments on everything from the pay equity gap to examples of discrimination in the interview process.

Comments also illustrated that gender is a barrier to career advancement, including one which suggests males in charge tend to give opportunities to other males, "got to be in the old boys club to get opportunities to progress."

In contrast one comment from 'Hana' suggested that it's more about how each individual presents themselves, "there are equal opportunities and no discrimination, it's called 'personal worth' and how you present yourself, take a look in the mirror and find out."

With International Women's Day on Monday March 8th, SEEK General Manager Annemarie Duff expects the topic will be of interest at water coolers around the country.

"As the number one website for job seekers, SEEK is in a unique position to take the nations' temperature on views 'around the water cooler' with more than 860,000 visitors to the site each month. Significant occasions tend to get us all talking about our views so we decided to bottle that chatter and share it, we think it's an interesting gauge of public opinion on workplace matters."

About the SEEK Watercooler Index

Launched March 2010, the SEEK Watercooler Index is a short interactive poll hosted on the SEEK website. The question posed was headlined 'equality' and asked: 'do you believe there are equal opportunities for men and women in the workplace?' Over 1,600 people had their say on the first index across New Zealand and Australia.

In the coming months, the SEEK Watercooler Index will poll New Zealanders on a wide range of issues such as office romance, appropriate office wear, and stationery theft.

For further information or to arrange an interview with SEEK General Manager Annemarie Duff, please contact:

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