People returning to work after holiday are more likely to look for new work options, says Trade Me. File photo. Photo: 123rf
The last week of January is prime job-hunting time, and Trade Me says a softer labour market is not putting applicants off.
Trade Me Jobs data shows the coming week is consistently the busiest time on the site, with up to 245,000 views on job ads per day.
Trade Me Jobs head Nicole Williams says people returning to work from a holiday "get into a bit of a slump" and wonder whether are better options.
That led to an increase of 50 percent or more in applications for jobs between December and January, she said.
"It's something we see every year."
She said the trend was evident across the board, and particularly in retail and hospitality.
The tougher labour market, with rising unemployment, had not changed the picture this year, she said.
"On-site traffic was up 4.2 percent in the first two weeks of January compared to this time last year."
She said Trade Me Jobs had worked with a number of brands to offer fixed-term opportunities to get job hunters excited.
It is advertising for Kathmandu "overseas enthusiasts" who want to travel for three months full-time; a "whopperologist" at Burger King to ensure burgers meet the standard; and a "chief good boy" and "personal talent manager" to be the face of pet food brand Animals Like Us.
Williams said the ads were representational of lots of roles on Trade Me. "There's such a range of jobs that there is always a few interesting ones."
Williams was hopeful the labour market would improve this year.
"Job listings bounced back in January. They're somewhat lower than this time last year but healthier than they were through the last two quarters of last year."
Meanwhile, recruiter Robert Half said a pay increase was the primary objective this year for about a third of New Zealand workers it surveyed.
Flexible work hours were also sought-after, as well more benefits, a promotion and more recognition.
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