The future’s looking bright for New Zealand job seekers in 2022. Shopless looks into the predictions for New Zealand’s job market, based on current statistics.
The Great Resignation
Many international news outlets have suggested that the Great Resignation of 2021/2022, allows employees to have more power and say in their employment. Whether that is having control over their employment prospects, work-life balance, current role, job opportunities from other companies or pay negotiation.
Between December 2020 and April 2021 AUT conducted a study on what The Great Resignation would look like in New Zealand. The study found that by the end there was an increase of 34% of participants who wanted to leave their jobs. Overall, AUT found that most New Zealanders were content in their jobs, but due to the preposition of better pay or more suitable work the interest in moving to another position increased.
Talent will continue to want to work remotely
The past two years have seen an abrupt transition from workplaces to remote working. Many workplaces have transitioned to a more flexible work environment, to incorporate both working from home and in office work. With employees identifying a better lifestyle when working from home is an option. More potential employees will be seeking this flexible work arrangement and a rise of 10% of Americans expecting their work to be conducted as fully remote work. A desire to move away from inflexible work environments to ones that account for a better lifestyle.
More adaptability amongst jobseekers
Several international predictions about ‘job shuffling’ in 2022 suggest that jobseekers will be more adaptable and willing to learn new skills if the right opportunity arises. Forbes defined this phenomenon as the ‘office walls’ coming down. Adaptability is key for jobseekers’ keen to take advantage of a great employment market, as employees can quickly make a name for themselves within a new industry and build a positive reputation.
Increase in small businesses and self-employed
A result of the Great Resignation and impacts of COVID-19 is a massive increase in self-employed people or people starting small businesses. Between January and November 2021, America saw just under 5 million new businesses created. New Zealand is due to see a similar pattern as a movement in the workforce becomes more prominent in 2022.