Fifty percent of organisations are planning to increase salaries, 49% are expecting no change and just 1% are expecting to decrease wages according to the latest report from specialist recruitment consultancy Robert Walters.
The Robert Walters New Zealand Hiring Intentions Survey asked 650 hiring managers from across the country from a range of industries such as fast-moving consumer goods, IT, media and professional services about their recruitment strategies for the remainder of 2014.
Hiring patterns for the next six months
The majority of hiring managers indicated that their hiring levels will remain steady in the next six months compared to the first half of the year. For the 30% of hiring managers who said that they are more likely to be hiring in the next six months, the major reasons cited were growth, restructures, new projects, diversification and existing staff leaving to complete their “OE” (overseas experience).
For those who are less likely to hire, this was largely because they were already well resourced from hiring in the first half of the year, restructures were complete and there was a full complement of staff. Just 3% of hiring managers are expecting to downsize in the next six months.
Robert Walters Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand, James Nicholson, said:
“The current environment is still cautious, and so organisations have been mainly hiring replacement staff instead of increasing headcounts. However, after a significant period in the same roles, candidates have been more willing to take risks and seek new opportunities, and a significant minority of hiring managers are planning increases in wages to lure top talent.”
The survey also found:
- 63% of hiring managers will be recruiting mid-level professionals
- The media sector is the most likely to increase hiring in the next six months
- The manufacturing and construction sector is the most likely to increase wages in the next six months
- The retail sector is the least likely to increase hiring in the next six months
- The retail sector is the most likely to decrease wages in the next six months
