Adzuna reveals sectors with least competition for jobseekers

For Aussie jobseekers looking for a competitive edge in the post-coronavirus market, these two sectors provide the best opportunities for employment.

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Jobseekers looking for a competitive edge in the post-coronavirus job market should set their sights on the hospitality or property sectors.

Exclusive data from job site Adzuna revealed ads in hospitality and property attracted an average of 31 jobseekers per available role in May, making them among the easiest to land sectors in the current market.

By comparison, logistics and warehousing roles attracted an average of 153 jobseekers per job and sales roles attracted 134.

Adzuna country manager for Australia and New Zealand Tejas Deshpande said assumptions about COVID-19’s affect on hiring may be influencing competition levels.

“People were maybe not applying for hospitality jobs because the psychology was that ‘retail and hospitality is down so there is no point applying’ but there is also less competition,” he said.

“If you already have experience in hospitality … or if your skillset is transferable, definitely apply for those industries.”

Waitress serving customer at the coffee shop

Stillwell Management Consultants head of organisational psychology consulting Alexandra Rosser said people should not have any presumptions around levels of supply or demand.

“If you are looking for work, go looking for it and keep trying,” she said.

Hospitality recruitment platform Barcats founder and chief executive Jeffrey Williams said it was a “fabulous time” to get into the hospitality industry.

“The opportunities for Australians at the moment is you have about 120,000 less backpackers out there competing for those roles and there is existing skilled labour that has returned to their country,” he said.

“For good candidates, it’s an ideal time to come into the industry.

“There is a lack of skilled labour in the country and that’s further exacerbated in rural settings.

“Pre-virus is was hard (to fill roles) and it’s becoming even harder.

“There are roles for the creatives through to the diligent money counters at the end of the night – that’s the wonderful thing about Australia and the industry we have.”

REIA’s Adrian Kelly said new real estate agents should be prepared to stick with the job for at least a couple of years. Picture: Supplied

Real Estate Institute of Australia president Adrian Kelly said the property sector might attract fewer jobseekers than some others as specific training was often required.

“Someone can work in the warehousing sector and go to work straight away with a minimum level of qualifications,” he said.

“Generally speaking, (in property management) you would have to do some study, learn legislation and sit an exam so that would take three to six months.

“There is also receptionist work you don’t need to be licensed for, though, and for many property managers that’s a great place to start.”

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For aspiring sales agents, Mr Kelly said jobseekers should be aware it takes a year or two to build up a following and earn a decent salary.

“We have got falling sales volumes across the country but it’s probably a good time to get into sales in the sense that if you can do well in a market that is not so good, when the property market does improve, that’s when you can achieve some outstanding results,” he said.

“Once we get through all (the challenges associated with COVID-19), we are expecting most real estate markets will bounce back pretty healthily – certainly next year, if not late this year.”

News Corp, in partnership with recruitment technology provider Shortlyster, has launched the Australian National Talent Registry to connect jobseekers with employers in a new way that recognises their skills and experience and matches them to vacancies as they are advertised. To sign up, click on your state: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, NT

Originally published as Adzuna reveals sectors with least competition for jobseekers