Market Updates

AI Is Changing Hiring. Your Edge Hasn’t.

The headline numbers

  • About 45 percent of organisations already use AI in HR, and about 44 percent use it in recruitment.
  • By 2025, about 60 percent expect AI across end to end recruiting, and about 80 percent across broader HR.
  • About 88 percent use AI in at least one business function, yet only about 1 percent are fully mature.

Takeaway: AI speeds screening and scheduling. It does not replace the core reasons people get hired. Clear value, direct communication, and solid interviews still win offers.


What Is Changing

  • Faster parsing of CVs and LinkedIn.
  • Tighter keyword matching and quicker checks for gaps or inconsistencies.
  • Shorter attention windows.

What Is Not Changing

  • Employers still ask one question. What value will you deliver in the next twelve months
  • People still hire people after a conversation they trust.

Your North Star: The Value Formula

Value = Before to After multiplied by Scale multiplied by Frequency

Example:
Unplanned downtime fell 28 percent in six months across four lines. I standardised preventive maintenance routines and weekly checks.

Build a Value Bank with six to ten lines like this. You will use it in your CV, LinkedIn, video, and interviews.


The 7–70–700 Rule

7 seconds – One sentence that shows impact.
Cut rework 34 percent across three sites in nine months using SPC checks and operator training.

70 seconds – A short video on your phone with subtitles. Say who you help, give one proof line, name a tool or standard, and invite a chat.

700 words – Your profile pack. A CV summary and a LinkedIn About plus three to five proof bullets that mirror your Value Bank. Use NZD or AUD, local titles, and work rights.

Keep these three aligned. Filters and interviews both become easier.


Pain Points and Simple Fixes

“I cannot extract metrics from my past work”
This is a state of brain freeze. It is best resolved through a short dialogue with someone who understands what your industry leaders require and can map that to your past projects and achievements.

“My CV looks good but underperforms”
When your strengths are organised in a comprehensive and concise way, document creation becomes simple. The Value Bank gives you categories and proof. Your CV, LinkedIn, and cover notes then stay consistent.

“I do not know what to say on video”
Use the same fix as the metrics problem. A brief conversation with an experienced guide will surface what content wins interviews in your role and industry. Once your seven second line is clear, your seventy second script writes itself.

“Outreach feels awkward”
It becomes simple when someone who knows your strengths demonstrates live how to engage hiring managers in your industry who are advertising roles you can do. Watching relevant demonstrations for about one and a half hours settles the awkward feeling and gives clear direction. The key is experienced guidance.

“Interviews go off track”
Pivots are easy when your mind is full of short successful stories about your strengths. This comes from solid preparation. Use a systematic approach and cover all strength categories with memorable examples that match the role requirements.


Employer Lens

Employers still need to attract talent, run a competitive process, and select the best fit with proven value. Your seven second line, your seventy second video, and your seven hundred word profile make their work easier. You show fit, evidence, and low risk.


Final Word

AI is changing the speed of hiring. The reason someone hires you has not changed. Everything still returns to your proven strengths, which are tied to past projects and achievements. Present them clearly. Prepare well and you will perform well.

A short conversation with an experienced job finding guide works like a skeleton key. It unlocks your metrics, clarifies your seven second line, helps script your seventy second video, strengthens your seven hundred word profile, and shows you how to contact the right employers with confidence.

If you want support, begin with a quick Strength Audit. We will build your Value Bank, align your CV, LinkedIn, PowerPoint and Video CV, and practise the outreach and interview skills that lead to offers. Used in Australia, New Zealand, and proven to work anywhere in the world.

Everyone Need Encouragement, Market Updates

Navigating the Current Challenges in the Australian and New Zealand Job Markets

Understanding the Challenges in 2024

In 2024, job seekers in New Zealand and Australia face a challenging market. The year started with a promising hiring pace, but by mid-year, New Zealand experienced a significant slowdown. Australia is facing a milder downturn, though hiring overall has declined this year compared to last. This is the feedback I am getting from both employers and job seekers. Supporting this, the New Zealand Treasury Department reports that unemployment is expected to rise from 4.3% to 4.9% due to economic stagnation. As noted in their August 2024 Economic Update, “The labour market likely eased with weak economic activity, indicating a rise in unemployment” (Treasury Economic Update, August 2024).

What’s Causing the Job Market Slowdown?

The economic environment, marked by inflation and recession concerns, has led employers to be cautious with hiring. Many businesses prioritize local hires due to cost and efficiency considerations, while foreign job seekers face delays due to visa processing times and other administrative requirements. According to Talent International, “candidates are seeking higher salaries to compensate for [inflation], yet organizations are driving cost-conscious decisions,” slowing hiring in sectors like project services where budget constraints are common (Talent International Employment Trends).

For foreign candidates, these delays can mean waiting weeks or even months for visa decisions, which has become a deterrent for employers in less urgent hiring situations. This added complexity has tempered hiring momentum, making it essential for foreign job seekers to understand the impact of visa policies on their job search.

The Upcoming Opportunity: February and March 2025

Despite the current hiring challenges, February through March 2025 offers a promising window for job seekers. This period aligns with the new business year when many companies assess staffing needs and begin hiring for long-term roles. Given stabilizing economic demand, the Treasury anticipates gradual recovery, making early 2025 an ideal time to seek opportunities (Treasury Economic Update).

The Best Position For Any Job Seeker

No matter the economics of the state, industry leaders at the top of their game will remain in prime position for faster hires and higher salaries. The key is to make complex skills easily understandable at every stage of the hiring process. Talent International confirms, “while ‘we have seen the cooling of salaries across many job families, hard-to-find niche talent will always test the top end of what the market has to offer” (Talent International Employment Trends).

Positive attitude is a force in itself, but doesn’t replace good preparation.

Strategic Suggestions for Job Seekers

Engage Directly with Industry Contacts
Establishing direct communication with hiring managers provides invaluable insights into specific needs and hiring trends. This feedback better positions you for upcoming job interviews, as industry contacts can share insights on skills in high demand and potential hiring opportunities.

Leverage December’s Relaxed Atmosphere for Networking
Employers are typically less busy in December, making it an ideal time to connect and gather information that may lead to applications in the new year.

Prepare for Peak Hiring Season in February
January is perfect for reviewing your profile and gathering feedback. In February, the peak hiring period, prepared candidates may see response rates of two responses per hour of outreach effort. Success varies based on availability, industry, and individual motivation.*

* Note: different inddustries have different seasons. Example: for Teachers, the biggest hiring period is for Term 1 start. This is happening now. February will be too late for them. There are also many agricultural seasons. If your market has seasonality, take that into account.

Focus on Feedback to Gauge Market Positioning
Collecting feedback from at least ten hiring managers provides insights beyond general market advice, helping you understand where you stand. If you aren’t receiving personalized feedback, this may be a sign to seek professional guidance. Direct responses from employers are the gateway to job interviews.

Showcase Your Unique Skills and Value
Employers remain open to hiring foreign candidates with scarce skills. Emphasize your expertise and how it fills gaps in the local market, as this can make you a competitive candidate in Australia or New Zealand.

Conclusion

Though the current market is tough, opportunities will come for those prepared to engage strategically. By staying informed, building industry connections, and timing your job search with hiring cycles, you can increase your chances of success. Stay resilient, and focus on the early 2025 hiring season, as it may be your perfect window for a career opportunity in Australia or New Zealand.