Job vacancies tipped to rise after seasonal lull

‘No-one wants to work’

The job market is slowly starting to heat up for January with more due to be listed in the coming weeks.

A survey by recruiters Ranstad showed two-thirds of the workforce was looking to change jobs in 2013, double the number of employees with itchy feet a year ago.

Employment listings website Seek had 1483 jobs listed in Wellington yesterday.

Adecco Wellington branch manager Kelly Ashford expected 2013 to be a busy year for its Wellington commercial office and Lower Hutt industrial office.

Wellington typically got off to a slow start in relation to vacancies listed in January, with most Wel- lingtonians taking an extended break, she said.

‘‘Interest in new positions by job seekers, whilst always steady, tends to peak early in the year, with New Year resolutions on people’s minds and the time for change opportune.’’

Fewer people seemed to be applying for jobs while they were on holiday this year, according to Ranstad Wellington operations manager Phillipa Solomon, who said there was a lull during the Christmas period.

‘‘I think there is still a bit of a nervous market for candidates looking for opportunities . . . In Wellington it tends to be the end of January before we see a lot of movement.’’

Madison Recruitment national sales director Justin Pipe agreed recruitment activity in Wellington was down slightly from this time last year.

‘‘This is always a relatively quiet period of the year anyway, coupled with how the statutory holidays fell this year, resulting in a lot more decision-makers who have taken an extended festive break until later in January, so this is not really that surprising.’’

However, Ultimate Recruitment Company consultant Graham Currie said a sales manager job listing he had placed yesterday morning had attracted several applications by mid-afternoon.

‘‘There has been lots of interest already. Whether they’re qualified or not is another story.’’

Unemployment is at a 13-year high, hitting 7.1 per cent in Wellington recently. Christchurch baker Diane McPherson has had an ‘‘absolute nightmare’’ trying to find staff for the past four months.

One applicant turned up for an interview in pyjama pants, another was texting during the interview and another flicked her tongue piercing in and out of her mouth and indicated she was not prepared to remove it during work hours.

McPherson, who owns the Brumby’s Bakery and Wendy’s Supa Sundaes stores at the Hub in Hornby, said many others did not return messages inviting them for an interview, or, having got the job, failed to turn up for work.

‘‘I’ve had ones from [Work and Income] who just want me to sign a form to say they have been for an interview but don’t want a job through the summer,’’ she said.

One applicant did not want to mop floors and another did not want to wash dishes.

The jobs McPherson is advertising all pay $14 an hour or more, with the bakery job starting at $20 an hour.

‘‘I’ve had a couple of guys tell me, ‘Oh, it’s easier on the dole but we’ve got to be seen to be applying for work’,’’ she said.