Job ads Australia: What’s stopping Aussies from applying for jobs

SEEK recorded an increase in job ad-figures, but one particular industry continues to lag behind other sectors. Here’s why.

SEEK recorded an increase in job ad-figures, but one particular industry continues to lag behind other sectors. Pictured: iStock.

For the first time since the height of the pandemic, the number of job seekers applying for roles has increased.

According to SEEK’s June employment report, around 6 per cent more job seekers have applied for roles month-on-month.

Despite the encouraging numbers, Managing Director of SEEK ANZ, Kendra Banks revealed application numbers per advertisement are still close to the lowest they’ve been since 2012.

“In the last few months, we have had between 39 and 42 million visits to our website per month,” she said.

SEEK recorded an increase in job ad-figures, but one particular industry continues to lag behind other sectors. Pictured: iStock.

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“That tells us that Australians are still viewing job ads, but jobseekers are simply not applying at the same rates as they were pre-Covid 19.”

The reasons behind the lack of applications varies, but SEEK research found that two in three people are more cautious about moving jobs as job security has become more important to them during the pandemic.

“40 per cent remain concerned about their job security, and 31 per cent have held back from changing jobs,” Ms Banks said.

SEEK monthly employment report shared another positive sign for Australia’s booming job market.

After a record three months, job advertisements have continued to increase to the relief of job seekers.

Professional services failed to drive national job growth. Pictured: iStock

RELATED: Sign job market will continue to boom

Figures rose by 91.6 per cent in June 2021 when compared to June 2020 and were up 23.7 per cent when compared to June 2019.

Looking at these results, Ms Banks said the numbers ‘remained strong despite a small month-on-month decline of 1.3 per cent.’

“June is traditionally a slightly quieter posting month as it is the end of the financial year,” she said.

“Many businesses hold off advertising new roles until July, when budgets are handed down and priorities for the coming financial year are set.”

While all industries have enjoyed a record number of job listings, roles within Professional Services have failed to drive national job ad growth – dropping six per cent from June 2019 to June 2021.

These roles include accounting, human resources and recruitment, marketing and communications, banking, legal, science and technology.

Ms Banks said professional services has been the slowest sector to recover throughout the pandemic as it’s mostly made up of office-based CBD roles.

“All sectors have shown growth between 37 per cent – 42 per cent when comparing last month with the same month two years ago, whereas Professional Services has only increased by 1 per cent,” she said.

“As we move into the new financial year, it will be interesting to see if these roles increase further as business priorities and new budgets are set.”