The Wellington Job Market: Keeping it Real, Keeping it Positive

Three decades in recruitment, and I'm still surprised by the people I meet. This week, it was a candidate in Wellington who reminded me of the importance of honest communication, even when the news isn't rosy. 

Let me set the scene: I'm working on a senior finance role, and despite the current market conditions, applications have been flooding in. Not everyone is a perfect fit, of course, but I'm impressed by the talent on display. So, I've been having lots of conversations, meeting with promising candidates in anticipation of new roles or a market upswing. 

In these chats, I've been using a word I picked up from my colleague Peter Crestani, a seasoned Wellington recruiter: "BRUTAL." It's a strong word, but it reflects the current reality of the job market here. 

During an in-person interview (yes, those still exist!), a candidate asked for my feedback. Always eager to learn, I said yes. He told me straight up that he was not going to accept my "brutal" assessment and that I should not use this term with jobseekers. He was not going to see the market that way.  I was a little taken aback, I'll admit. 

While I'm still pondering the perfect alternative, here's my take: as recruiters, our job is to give everyone a clear picture of the market, no sugarcoating allowed. We don't want to mislead job seekers into thinking it's easier than it is, nor do we want to tell hiring managers that talent is abundant when it's not. Our role is to set realistic expectations so everyone can navigate the process smoothly. 

So, as much as it pains me to say it, the Wellington job market is indeed challenging right now. But it won't stay that way forever. The market is constantly shifting, and eventually, things will swing back in favour of job seekers, employers, or both. 

What you can count on is an honest, transparent assessment from me and the Frog Recruitment team. We'll always tell it like it is, while also highlighting opportunities and helping you navigate the ups and downs. 

I'm curious to hear your thoughts. How would you describe the current market in Wellington? What are your experiences and strategies for finding success? Let's keep the conversation going and support each other through this challenging but ultimately temporary phase.