Winter '10
Mon, 07/12/2010 - 23:39 — The Johnson Group
Welcome
Welcome to the winter edition of The Johnson Group newsletter.
New Zealand’s public sector has been through enormous changes. While we’re still waiting for clarification in some areas, it’s already clear that this is a time of opportunity for candidates who are prepared to be bold and step up.
There are many evolving work programmes that will give candidates the chance to make a real impact. But to get the right roles, candidates should be very clear about their own positioning.
To help you set yourself apart in a competitive market, we have advice in this issue on developing your brand and clarifying your career path. We also have articles on New Zealand and Australian pay rise rates, employer confidence, the IPANZ excellence awards and the growth of contracting.
If you’re looking for a new challenge, make this winter the time when you make the most of the new opportunities emerging in our public sector.
IPANZ Recognises Excellence
Congratulations to the Ministry of Social Development and the Families Commission, which received the supreme award in the excellence awards run by the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ). The supreme award was for the “It’s Not OK” campaign for action on family violence.
The IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards could only recognise a fraction of the great projects being carried out by New Zealand’s public sector. Most examples of excellence go unrecognised, so The Johnson Group is delighted to see this celebration of the positive difference that the public sector makes to communities.
In other IPANZ news, the institute ran its biennial New Professionals conference at the end of June. Campbell and Kirsty from The Johnson Group gave presentations on jobseeking, writing CVs and career planning.
For more, go to www.ipanz.org.nz
Job Ads Increase
The growing numbers of jobs advertised on the internet confirms that the labour market is recovering, according to the Department of Labour’s Jobs Online vacancy monitoring programme.
Skilled job vacancies increased by 8% over the quarter, and by 24% in the year to the end of May.
By international standards, New Zealand has a high workplace participation rate. This means the market remains competitive, and Campbell suggests candidates should take the time to assess whether they’re where they want to be in the job market.
“If you’re aspiring to a higher-level role, think about the skills you’ll need to develop to get to where you want to be,” he says. “If you’re not looking at moving up, consider broadening your skill base to minimise your risk.”
The Johnson Group offers a career audit to candidates ready to take the next step in their career.
For more on the Jobs Online programme, go to www.dol.govt.nz
Employment Confidence Returning
Workers’ confidence about their prospects soared in the June quarter.
The Westpac McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index has increased to the highest level of confidence since the September 2008 quarter. A net 48% of people now believe jobs are hard to get, compared with 60% in March and 65% in June last year.
New Zealand employers are also more optimistic than they have been for two years, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
For more, go to www.nzherald.co.nz
Slow Rise in Salaries
Public sector salary and wage rates rose by 2.3% in the year to the March quarter.
Overall, figures released by Statistics New Zealand show that salaries and wages in the public and private sectors increased by just 1.5% - the slowest rise in more than nine years.
For more, go to: www.stats.govt.nz
NZ Behind Oz on Pay Rises
New Zealand salaries continue to trail behind Australia, according to a new survey.
The Hays Salary Guide has found that 43% of Australian employers are planning salary increases in their next review, compared with 33% here. The survey also said that about 43% of Australian employers planned to take on new staff this year – 10% higher than in New Zealand.
There’s evidence that Australian employers are aggressively targeting mid-skill workers in New Zealand to offer jobs that are at a lower level but better paid. The Johnson Group urges candidates to be cautious about moving over the ditch.
“As well as the salary, think about house prices, cost of living, cultural adjustments, and moving away from family and friends,” says Campbell. “Be very informed about what you’re getting into, and ask yourself whether there are ways of addressing your concerns other than moving offshore.”
For more, go to www.nzherald.co.nz
Contracting Market Booming
The market for contractors is booming. At the Johnson Group alone, we’ve seen a 300% rise in the use of contractors since the beginning of the year.
Contracts being offered tend to be for shorter terms and fewer hours than in the past, but managers often find more work for contractors who are great at what they do. The key is to add value to each role, strengthening your track record and creating your next job opportunity.
We’re always looking for new contractors to join our talent pool. At present, we’re especially keen to hear from contractors with a background in policy, project management, planning and reporting, business analysis, strategy, human resources and communications.
Skilled Migrants Seek Internships
Is your office in need of an extra pair of hands? The new intake for the Skilled Migrant Programme has just begun, and participants are looking for unpaid, six-week internships in workplaces.
The programme helps skilled migrants gain communication skills in workplaces so they can find professional employment. This group of migrants includes a lab technician, purchasing officer, business analyst, policy/regulatory analysts, office administrator, data entry, customer service, civil engineer and finance/accountant.
Please get in touch with Pia at The Johnson Group if you think the organisation you work for would benefit from taking on an intern from the programme - email pia@thejohnsongroup.co.nz.
PhD and Postdoctoral Researchers
Campbell has been travelling to universities around the country with the Royal Society of New Zealand, The Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and Immigration NZ (DoL), contributing to half-day workshops for emerging researchers. Much of the workshops content focused on practical skills linked to gaining employment, sourcing funding, networking and researching in NZ as a migrant.
Campbell has been particularly struck by the under-utilisation of this part of our workforce. 68.8% of PhD and postdoctoral researchers end up working in fields other than research, or become unemployed.
“Our advice to PhD and postdoctoral researchers is to think about what you are willing to do and assess your career drivers, motivation and skills. Be clear on who you are and how you are marketing and presenting yourself in this competitive job market. If you’re looking to join the employment market and could benefit from some tips, contact info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz. Many employers only recruit graduates directly themselves, but we have tools that may help.”
Job Doctor
“This is a tough market. I’ve just started looking for a job: do you have any advice on how I should position myself for a new role?”
Adrian, Miramar
The “four Ps” system is a good way of establishing your place in the market:
- Product. See yourself as your own brand, and have a career plan.
- Positioning. It’s a competitive market, so set yourself apart from the competition by networking, having a great CV, and being your own brand ambassador.
- Place. Be clear on where you’re prepared to work. Look at a potential workplace’s size, culture and organisational values.
- Price. What are your salary expectations? Look at what the market is paying and what you might compromise on – for example, would you trade flexibility or job satisfaction for money? Don’t price yourself out of the market.
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@the johnsongroup.co.nz.
Wishing you all the best this winter,