I cannot recommend strongly enough how timeliness is a factor in recruitment decisions and should be a key part of your strategy. A quality candidate will often have more than one job offer on the table, and employers who sit on their laurels will lose their preferred person. In these current market conditions a counter-offer from their existing employer remains prevalent. Therefore, I recommend your initial offer needs to be as strong as you can make it, complete with regular communication with your candidate to ensure they remain engaged in your recruitment process.

Latest data from SEEK showed there was no additional decline in job ads listed in the Manawatu region listed on the platform in May 2024 compared to April 2024 although the region has seen a 26% drop compared to May 2023.

Within the Manawatu employment market PN Personnel can report applications have increased in some industries, a recent administration role attracted over 160 applicants. At the same time, qualified individuals for specialised roles remain harder to secure.

PN Personnel’s fortnightly talent shout on LinkedIn highlights a range of individuals offering a wide range of skillsets to businesses. 

In addition to this, the PN Personnel team and I are extremely well-connected, throughout the Manawatu and further afield, with the resources and technology to successfully source and secure talent.   

There will always be talent available should their ideal opportunity arise, and these individuals are not actively searching for work. This is the type of talent we can connect in with to benefit to your business.

Whilst the latest quarterly economic snapshot from CEDA documents the Manawatu unemployment rate has risen to 4.2% in the year to March 2024, this is still well short of the peak of 6.9% in September 2015.

As an employer now is the time to look at your business offering, look at your Employee Value Proposition, consider your existing team, your retention strategies and your future planning.

Now is the time for employers to plan for the future, to consider the types of roles and skills of value to their team to set themselves up for a stronger 2025.

The PN Personnel team and I remain active in the Manawatu market, with employers and candidates. I encourage you to reach out for a confidential chat to discuss your upcoming needs, whether they be immediate or future.

Working together we can positively impact on people’s lives and make the regions a better place.