According to a recent Gartner survey, 39% of Australian candidates report having trouble finding new employment as job vacancies in Australia continue to decrease. Only 25% of respondents found jobs matching their skill set, significantly below the global average of 35%.
“Job vacancies in Australia have continued a downward trend over the past year, making the hunt for a new job extremely tough, especially considering the added pressure on Australians from the current cost-of-living crisis and record high interest rates,” said Dion Love, Vice President, Advisory in the Gartner HR practice.
The survey analysed responses from nearly 3,500 candidates globally, including 194 Australians. It revealed that only 27% of Australian job seekers received multiple offers during their last job search. Among those who secured positions, a mere 33% remained open to considering other offers, while 21% believed they could find a better opportunity if they kept looking.
Love noted that Australian candidates are becoming more committed to offers they accept, with fewer backing out after agreeing to terms. However, he added, “In such a competitive market, candidates are losing the luxury of being selective, which has significantly impacted their confidence in the job search process.”
The survey also highlights what Australian candidates prioritise when evaluating job offers. As many as 62% of respondents cited work-life balance as the top factor, followed by opportunities for skill development (53%) and the prospect of working with a new manager (52%).
In contrast, Australian candidates were less focused on flexibility in work schedules (39%) and organizational value alignment (37%) than their global counterparts.
Despite the challenging job market, 41% of Australians declined job offers that didn’t meet their expectations, which is lower than the global average of 52%. More than two-thirds of candidates withdrew from hiring processes due to compensation, career development opportunities, flexibility, or management style mismatches.