One part-time job in Dunedin recently garnered more than 400 applications and comes after the Otago Daily Times reported a part-time position receiving more than 135 applications.
According to data released by Stats NZ this week, the number of filled jobs in Otago rose by 921 (0.8%) in the 12 months to September.
For the country overall, the number of “actual filled jobs” fell 10,647 (0.5%) to 2.33 million.
The largest change was in the construction industry, down 8982 jobs (4.5%).
Regent Theatre director Sarah Anderson said the theatre last week filled a position for a permanent part-time box office assistant role.
It received more than 400 applications in total.
“Which was quite significantly more than I thought we’d receive.”
It was good to receive so many applications and there was a “huge variety” across the people who applied, Ms Anderson said.
“It seems like it’s a pretty tough environment out there.
“There’s a lot of people that applied that weren’t necessarily unemployed but just looking for movement in their existing employment, for whatever reason.”
Opportunities to work in an environment such as the Regent Theatre did not come up very often, Ms Anderson said.
Paid and permanent jobs in the performing arts sector more broadly were also “few and far between”.
In terms of a public-facing customer service role, the position was “pretty attractive”, Ms Anderson said.
“Who wouldn’t want to work in a beautiful venue like ours and with our amazing team, right?” Ms Anderson said.
Platinum Recruitment managing director Daniel Harmes said his company had seen an increase in the number of job applications across most sectors over the past couple of years, but not necessarily in the quality.
Entry-level roles typically garnered a larger response, and not necessarily from people with entry-level experience.
“It could be anyone really looking to get back into the workforce or secure longer-term employment.”
Mr Harmes said he had expected to see a larger increase in the number of filled jobs over the past year.
He believed there was a lot more positive sentiment in the job market and growing optimism from businesses.
“I certainly feel that there’s a genuine sentiment of positivity out there and we’re moving in the right direction, but it’s going to be a bit of a bumpy road for a wee while yet.”
Stats NZ said jobs filled in the professional, scientific and technical services industry fell by 4853 (2.6%), along with a drop of 3802 jobs (1.7%) in the manufacturing sector.
Jobs in education and training, as well as healthcare and social assistance, rose by 4332 jobs (2%) and 4911 jobs (1.8%) respectively.
Auckland, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay all had decreases in the number of filled jobs over the 12-month period, while Canterbury rose by 3092 (1%).
tim.scott@odt.co.nz
