Office Support Sector Commentary
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Market changes
Unsurprisingly, current economic
conditions have taken their toll on the
office support market. The resources and
financial services industries downsized,
vacancy activity reduced as a result of
recruitment freezes and the redeployment
of internal resources, and employers
removed underperforming staff. Thus the
volume of candidates increased, and
employers became more selective. Yet
despite this, opportunities remain for
flexible and skilled candidates.
Job stability has become important to
candidates, and interest in public sector
roles has increased accordingly.
Changes to
recruitment practices
Employers are aware of the increased
volume of candidates, and so request a
larger shortlist of interviewees, which
increases the length of the recruitment
process. They also now value commitment
and longevity over drive and progression.
Despite increased choice, employers
need to move quickly once they identify a
high calibre candidate, since the best
candidates will still receive multiple job
opportunities. It can however be a
challenge to identify highly skilled
candidates amongst the influx of
applications now received.
Positions in demand
Personal and executive assistants capable
and willing to support several personnel at
director level are sought and the
traditional one-on-one PA/EA role has
diminished, while legal secretaries with
experience in wills, probate and specialist
areas are in high demand. Data entry
clerks with a strong work ethic who will
commit to a role are needed. Executive
assistants and administrators are in
demand for temporary assignments.
The requirement for corporate
receptionists and specific sector
administrators remains. Entry-level
candidates for all-round administration or
reception roles are also sought as a cost
saver, and those at the entry to mid level
find it easier to secure a role in the
current climate.
Public sector trends
The change of government and
associated internal redeployments and
budget cuts reduced the number of roles
released and some departments reported
recruitment freezes.
Candidates are keen to secure
government roles for job stability and
work/life balance and we expect
application levels to continue to rise given
the current economic climate. Many
candidates gain entry to this sector via
temporary assignments, and those with
public sector experience can expect a
competitive salary for their skills.
The length of the recruitment process
remains an issue. The gap between public
and private sector salaries continues to
close, particularly in Canberra.
Salary movements
Salaries reached a stage of consolidation
in early 2009 following the continual
increases of recent years and in response
to higher candidate volumes.
There are however a small number of
notable exceptions, such as legal
secretaries in Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane/Gold Coast, regional
Queensland and Adelaide. Other
increases of note occurred for document
controllers and project
secretaries/administrators in Sydney,
regional NSW, Melbourne and
Brisbane/Gold Coast and data entry
operators in Melbourne, regional
Queensland, Adelaide and Perth. Typical
salaries for entry-level administration
assistants also rose in Melbourne,
regional Queensland, Adelaide and Perth.
Candidates themselves have become more
flexible in their salary expectations, focusing
instead on job stability, and so it is unlikely
salaries will substantially increase in the
coming year. In fact, many are willing to
accept a salary or hourly rate lower than
the market value of 12 months prior.
Advice to candidates
Flexibility, adaptability and an open mind
are critical. An entry-level role with a
progressive company could become a
career opportunity when the market
improves. Likewise, temporary
assignments can lead to permanent roles.
Research the company and practice
behavioural questions before interview,
and present professionally.
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