NZ job applications double

The number of job applications nearly doubled over the past six months as the New Zealand employment market shrank, according to online auction site Trade Me.

A study of 48,000 job listings on Trade Me in the first half of the year found there were fewer advertised jobs and nearly double the number of applications per job compared with the second half of 2008.

Trade Me Jobs head Jimmy McGee said there had been a huge increase in people looking for employment as businesses shed staff and employees held on to jobs.

The construction sector had been hardest hit, with administrative and support jobs also suffering. The largest decreases in vacancies were in Auckland and Wellington .

The rate of deterioration was greatest in February, although the market has slowly stabilised since, Mr McGee said.

Despite the slowing job market, salary increases were reported in most occupations.

Employment opportunities in the energy sector gave Grey District on the West Coast the largest average salary of $81,451. Auckland and Wellington followed on $73,334 and $72,331 respectively.

The healthcare and education sectors would likely remain buoyant over the coming year, while banking and finance would slowly recover, Mr McGee said.

Employers would look to fill vacancies with part-time and contract workers, he said.

- NZPA