Around some of the main centres

It’s clear Wellington is in a funk and understandably so. Public Sector trimming and rounds of layoffs in the private sector have had a bruising impact. The best growth stories from clients in this region are in the SaaS space, especially those who have recently been through an investment round.

In Auckland we’re seeing more positivity and resilience and a general vibe of being more aspirational. Leaders and businesses we work with have their eye on the horizon are cracking on with things. 

Christchurch has a mixed story to tell with companies working in SaaS and high tech innovating and growing while others in the professional services space are reducing the size of their teams in this location.

Unsurprisingly we’re seeing higher interest from US based candidates looking to relocate, with one of our clients appointing two US applicants into specialist roles already this year.

The candidate market

If you’ve worked with Kin in a recruitment process during the last six months or so (or gone to market yourself), you’ll know that application numbers are high. Yet while the volume is up, the gold isn’t always there, with many applications bearing little relevance to the role advertised. Our team are rolling out a search process for around half our engagements, particularly for specialist roles. 

We’re also seeing more stress behaviours from applicants who make it through to short-list stage but don’t ultimately secure the role. Clear feedback, delivered with care and empathy goes a long way to preserving the mana of the individual while giving them the news they least wanted to hear (not to mention preserving the reputation of your brand!).

Artificial Intelligence

Whether you’re embracing AI, feeling unsure where to start, or somewhere in between, there’s no denying AI is storming through most recruitment processes. At Kin we see hundreds of applications every week and there is no doubt that generative AI is being embraced by job seekers. For a specialist role we had in the gaming sector; three separate applications had identical cover letters. When our team member pasted the job description into ChatGPT and prompted it to whip up a cover letter, all was revealed.

My best advice for managing AI within your recruitment process is to set out clear guidelines for what you’re OK with: You’re welcome to use Generative AI in your application process, as long as all information shared is true (and if your application progresses to interview stage, we’d love to hear how you used it).

Employee benefits

With return to office on the rise and murmurings of DEIB policies being softened, it’s an unsettling time for many in the workplace. Most business leaders are keeping a close watch on cashflow, with budgets for learning and development and other wellbeing benefits being pared back. If you’re in this situation, involving your employees in the ‘why’ goes a long way to building trust and preserving engagement. 

Overall, we’re seeing green shoots out there, albeit in their infancy – how is the year shaping up for you?