These are the 20 most applied for jobs right now
Knowing what your competition looks like can influence the roles you apply for, the skills you highlight and the way you fine tune your application. That’s why we’re taking a look at the roles and industries that attracted the most applications across New Zealand when COVID-19 restrictions first hit in March-April compared to now.
Explore the list to see to the level of competition in your industry – then see what industry experts say about how you can make your next application stand out in two key industries.
| Industry | Role | Application growth |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Tourism | Barista | 226% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Software Engineer | 179% |
| Retail & Consumer Products | Retail Assistants | 178% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Chef de Partie | 149% |
| Accounting | Accounts Administrator | 139% |
| Retail & Consumer Products | Assistant Manager | 136% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Service Desk Analyst | 135% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Business Analyst | 119% |
| Healthcare & Medical | Dental Assistant | 118% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Sous Chef | 118% |
| Engineering | Structural Engineer | 117% |
| Healthcare & Medical | Nursing - Aged Care Assistant | 113% |
| Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics | Driver | 110% |
| Retail & Consumer Products | Retail Assistant | 109% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Housekeeper | 105% |
| Information & Communication Technology | Test Analyst | 99% |
| Administration & Office Support | Office Manager | 99% |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Kitchenhand | 98% |
| Information & Communication Technology | .net Developer | 97% |
| Administration & Office Support | Office Administrator | 90% |
Spotlight on the IT industry
Information & Communication Technology is a dominant industry in the list of most applied for roles across New Zealand. Software Engineering, Service Desk Analysts and Test Analysts and Net Developers all feature in the top 20.
Bianca Jones, Country Manager at Talent International, says there’s also growing demand for talent among employers across the industry, especially for C++ and SAS developers. But you can still expect some tough competition.
“For developers, a really clear skills matrix on the first page of your resume will help you stand out,” says Jones. “Also, if you have an active GitHub, include it in your application and then a potential employer can visit your profile and see how you code.
“There is currently demand in the front-end space for UX/UI Developers and Designers,” adds Jones. “For both of these roles, a really solid portfolio with examples of past work is beneficial. For designers, information regarding design processes and prototyping, wireframing or iterative design will help you stand out.”
Competition builds among structural engineers
Structural Engineers were second on the list of New Zealand’s most applied for roles on SEEK.
Kuven Vyanan, Senior Consultant at Spring Professional, says given the disruptions caused by COVID-19, engineering employers are looking for people with technical experience they can immediately apply to make an instant impact to their business.
“This includes candidates who can work with project budgets and understand the responsibility needed when handling a larger project compared to a smaller one,” he says.
“Employers are also looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong grasp of soft skills, including communication, problem solving and adaptability.”
When applying for your next structural engineering role, Vyanan recommends using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method when responding to selection criteria and to be well-prepared for interviews.
“Given that we are moving into a candidate rich market, the way to stand out includes being clear and concise in your communication,” adds Vyanan.
“Practice at home to try to combat the nerves and just be yourself,” he says.
You can read more about how to use the STAR method and what to say in your interview here.
With more people in the market for a job now, knowing where the competition is strong may help you shape your job-hunting approach. By focusing on the ways you can stand out, highlighting your transferable skills and tailoring your application around what employers are looking for, you’re giving yourself the best chance of success.
