Autumn '10
Thu, 04/15/2010 - 01:15 — The Johnson Group
Welcome
Autumn is a season of change. Days are getting shorter and nights are getting cooler, but we’re also experiencing some significant changes in the job market.
The market is more buoyant, especially for contractors. We’re also seeing a start to some really exciting pieces of work.
One message coming through consistently is that public sector managers increasingly look for candidates with broad public and private sector skills. Deep technical expertise is great, but it may not further your career. The wider your skill set, the higher you’re likely to go.
Having a strategic mindset is always helpful. Consider the significance of the work you’re doing now, and weigh its strategic elements against its operational elements.
As well as looking at your skill base, this is a great time to reflect on why we’ve all chosen to stay in the public sector. As the job market continues to improve, let’s keep sight of the fact that we’re all helping to create New Zealand’s future.
Leigh and Campbell
Workforce Participation Levels Strong
New Zealand’s labour force participation rate has remained high despite the recession, which the Department of Labour says suggests people are still confident about employment opportunities.
Recessions usually prompt workers to opt out of the workforce, but the latest Labour Market Update says the labour force participation rate has remained surprisingly high - especially among people aged 45-64. “We are not seeing the same level of discouragement as seen in previous recessions,” says the update.
There are also signs that employers are managing labour costs by reducing hours and containing wage increases, rather than just by reducing staffing levels.
For more, go to www.dol.govt.nz
Wellington Job Ads Hit New High
New jobs ads placed on Seek reached the highest level for a year in February, with Wellington’s 9% growth outstripping all the other main centres.
The Department of Labour’s Jobs Online report also suggests the labour market is recovering, with a 6.2% increase in job ads for skilled vacancies in Wellington in February – compared with a 0.1% decrease in January.
However, the Johnson Group believes candidates should be careful not to misinterpret these figures. “Some movement has a flow-on effect. There are more job ads in the public sector, but not more jobs,” says Campbell. “But there are some really interesting discreet pieces of work going on in the short term that will lead to bigger projects and more jobs later on.”
For more, go to www.dol.govt.nz and www.seek.co.nz/investor/news.ascx
Managing Your Career Development
More than half of New Zealand workers are reported to leave their job within two years – often because of a lack of career opportunities in their current job.
A survey carried out by a human resources company found that 53% of workers left their jobs within two years. A shortage of opportunities for career development was one of the major reasons behind their decision to leave.
A Seek survey in March also found that career development was a significant factor in losing staff. The survey found that seven out of 10 New Zealanders were looking for a new job, and that three of the top four reasons for leaving work – the need for new challenges, bad management and not feeling appreciated – were non-financial.
At the Johnson Group, we encourage candidates to take responsibility for their own development. “You need to own your self-development. Find training that will further your career, rather than waiting till you’re sent on a generic course that may not match your aspirations,” says Campbell.
For more, go to www.seek.co.nz/investor/news.ascx
Len Cook Joins IPANZ
Len Cook, one of the country’s highest-achieving public servants, has been elected President of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ).
Previously New Zealand’s Government Statistician, Len Cook served as Director of the UK’s Office for National Statistics, and Registrar General for England and Wales, from 2000 to 2005. He was a senior associate at Victoria University’s Institute of Policy Studies before being elected to the IPANZ role in December.
IPANZ is now planning its New Professionals conference, which will be held at Te Papa on 23-24 June. The Johnson Group will give a presentation on practical career insights at the conference, which has the theme of “Making a Difference”.
Another upcoming IPANZ event is a lunchtime seminar at Ten Puni Kokiri House on 21 April. The seminar will present the results of the Kiwis Count 2009 survey, which asked New Zealanders about their perceptions and experiences of public services.
For more, go to www.ipanz.org.nz
Thriving Market for Contractors
The market for contractors at the Johnson Group is growing rapidly, with a 300% increase in demand since the beginning of the year.
We’re noticing that more clients are requesting contractors with business and financial skills. This change could be because organisations that now have fewer employees require contractors with more robust skills and a broader skill set.
Some interesting pieces of work are coming through, and we expect the market for contracts to continue to thrive. We’re increasingly recommending flexible workforces to clients as a way of planning teams around inputs.
If you have relevant experience - in policy analysis, project management, change management, planning and reporting, or technical writing – and haven’t yet joined our team of contractors or are coming to the end of a contract, come in for a catch-up.
Job Doctor
“I’d like to look for a more senior role with more challenging work, but my friends are telling me I should stay where I am until the market improves. I’m now very confused. What do you think I should do?”
Gemma, Lower Hutt
It sounds like this might be an excellent time for you to have a career audit.
Think seriously about who you are: what you care about, what you’re good at, and what you’d like to be doing in five-10 years’ time. Then take a long, hard look at your skill set. Do they match up?
Through The Johnson Group’s associates, we have a career audit programme that can help you make sure you’re on the path to where you want to be. Give us a call if you’d like to come in for a chat to discuss it further.
And Finally
As Wellington’s only public sector recruitment agency, The Johnson Group recruits all professional roles in the following areas:
- Policy (strategic/operational, and economic analysis)
- Research and evaluation
- Planning and reporting
- Legal
- Human resources
- Programme/project management, technical and operations
- Communications
- Records and information
We also recruit management roles in corporate services and public sector finance.
If you have friends, colleagues or family members who work in these areas and might be considering a change, we’d love to hear from them. And if you’d like to discuss your next career move, please contact us or 04 473 6699 or info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz.
Wishing you all the best,
Leigh and Campbell