Hunter job vacancies: Find out where the jobs are and how you can land one

You’d think jobs would be hard to come by in the current COVID-19 climate, but there’s still a fair share out there. Across the Hunter not surprisingly healthcare workers and nurses are top of the wanted list.

In education/teaching there were 48 jobs listed in the Newcastle region as of August 3.

• COVID-19: More mining shutdowns could be on the way
• Drug bust: Cops say Hunter meth supply ring crushed

Healthcare, construction and hospitality are dominating the job market in the Hunter, with hundreds of roles continuing to be advertised amid the COVID-19 downturn.

Job site Adzuna revealed a staggering 673 vacancies in the region’s healthcare and nursing sector on August 3, more than half of the 1204 jobs (913 full time, 291 part time) on offer across the Hunter.

That seems to be the case right across the country, as the top employing sector in every state and territory except the ACT.

Healthcare workers and nurses are in demand in the Hunter.

Construction workers were the second highest job vacancy advertised in the Hunter.

The local construction and trades sector also offered up 185 jobs, while catering and hospitality rounds out the top three with 127.

Also, popular on the jobs list is engineering work, with 78 vacancies recorded on August 3, 65 jobs available in administration and clerical and 60 sales positions.

But the sectors where job listings are hard to come by are charity and voluntary work, the scientific fields, creative design, arts and media, property and legal.

CEO of GWG Recruitment Julie Gearie said as the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment becomes clearer, there’s been some strong and resilient industries emerge in the Hunter.

“Whilst there has been a significant downturn and job losses within retail, hospitality and tourism, many of the regions industries have remained largely buoyant particularly within community services, construction, healthcare, IT and logistics,” she said.

“In regard to roles, software developers, business analysts, disability support and aged care workers, nurses, accountants and project managers are highly sort after right now, but we are also seeing increased demand for more specialist positions like cyber security specialists, UI, UX, CX and robotics engineers.

Hospitality workers are always in need.

“Based on the recent events, companies are increasingly looking for professionals with the ability to adapt and manage change.”

Ms Gearie said these days candidates need a variety of skills and attributes.

“Life-long learners, expert communicators and have the ability to work autonomously, especially given the increase in remote work environments,” she explained.

“If we look a bit further into the future, local emerging industries like advanced manufacturing, defence and medical technology are growth areas with plenty of upside for employment.

“Significant infrastructure investment will continue to generate economic and employment benefits for the region in the mid- to long-term, solidifying Newcastle’s position as the gateway to regional NSW.

There’s not many positions available in the legal profession in the Hunter.

JOB VACANCIES IN NEWCASTLE: (as of Aug 3, 2020)

Healthcare/Nursing: 673

Construction/Trades: 185

Catering/Hospitality: 127

Other/General: 80

Engineering: 78

Admin/Clerical: 65

Sales: 60

Retail/Wholesale: 59

Transport/Logistics: 54

Accounting/Finance: 49

Education/Teaching: 48

IT/Computing/Software: 43

Domestic help: 26

Management/Executive/Consulting: 23

Manufacturing: 22

HR/Recruitment: 19

Energy/Oil/Gas: 18

Social services/Care work: 18

Customer service support: 17

Marketing/Advertising/PR: 10

Graduate: 9

Facilities/Maintenance: 8

Legal: 6

Property: 5

Creative/Design/Arts and media: 4

Scientific/QA: 4

Charity/Voluntary: 3

Unknown: 157

TOTAL: 1204

There were 49 vacancies for accountants in the Hunter on Aug 3. Picture: iStock.

JOB SEEKING TIPS

*Market yourself

Update your LinkedIn profile, resume and create a profile on your go-to-job board like SEEK

*Pick up the phone

Speak to prospective employers or recruiters when a role is advertised. Building a relationship early is key.

*Prepare well thought out questions

Do this to ask employers and be sure to utilise the insights when preparing an application.

*Get advice from experts on resume and job seeking strategies

Recruiters know how to navigate the job market and will provide tips on where opportunities are, what skills are in demand and how to prepare for interviews.