Better Prospects for Job Seekers

If you were job-hunting this time last year, chances are it wouldn’t have been easy. During the Global Financial Crisis, the number job openings was greatly exceeded by the number of candidates. Many companies put a freeze on hiring and wage increases, and redundancies were common.

However in as little as twelve months, things have already started to improve. According to Nielsen, the Australian economy is forecasted to grow 2.5% in 2010 and 3% in 2011. Unemployment figures are falling, and the number of jobs advertised in major newspapers and online has increased by 6% since December 2009. All of which is great news for job seekers.

The International recruitment company Michael Page cites Information Technology as one of the industries which has shown a ‘healthy improvement in hiring activity’ since the beginning of 2010. Even more opportunities are predicted for the second half of the year, especially for candidates with up-to-date skills.  

Communications and customer insight roles are also on the increase. Marketing is a very exciting industry to be in right now, especially because consumers are starting to have an active involvement in the marketing process – thanks to the increasing popularity of social media. Staying up-to-date and keeping ahead of trends is the key to success in this field, which is why many people are going back to study in order to further their careers.

Job prospects for graduates are also promising, despite the gloomy predictions that were overshadowing the news earlier in the year. In March 2010, The Australian stated that 21% of employers said that they will recruit more graduates as the economy continues to recover this year. These employers are looking for people with strong communication skills and excellent problem-solving abilities.

As anyone who has ever been looking for work will know, when it comes to landing a job, nothing beats actual work experience in that field. This can be tricky for recent graduates – however some courses offer internships as part of their curriculum, which can aid the transition from student to employee. Unpaid work experience while studying can also act as a ‘foot in the door’ to many sectors that would otherwise be difficult to enter.

Studying is always a good idea during an economic downturn, as it can give you a competitive advantage in the job market. Short courses are becoming increasingly popular because they allow students to jump back into the workforce in as little as six to twelve months. Students want courses that provide the right balance of technical knowledge and practical skills, because this is what employers are looking for.

Although Australia was affected by the GFC, we remain a relatively lucky nation. There are still many opportunities out there for job seekers with the right qualifications and experience. These are also exciting times for those who are considering a career change. The key to success is understanding what companies want, and matching your skills to these requirements.

With the right preparation, your career will get off to a flying start.  As one of Australia’s leading providers of careers focused education, Martin College offers you the opportunity to gain an industry-recognised, relevant and academically respected qualification. 

Your ideal career is just around the corner, our Career Starter Program is designed to act as a link between your studies your first career steps – it includes advice on job search skills, interview techniques, information on careers, input from industry professionals and full-time work experience in a relevant job.  More about the Career Starter Program >