Well, here we are, at the end of another COVID-fuelled year, and we made it! Are we too game to say, “Bring on 2022!”? 

It’s fair to say that in a year filled with so much change and new-found individual and collective resilience, the time is upon us to wind down, reflect on the year that was (if you can stomach it), and undertake a full re-charge so we can go again in the new year! 

And with 2021 now known to many as the “the year of the Great Resignation”, it’s been a rather telling sign that candidates are certainly steering the ship when it comes to the war on talent. Candidate intentions have been made very clear, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finding that 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021. Closer to home, the NZ talent market is not too dissimilar. According to AUT, job anxiety is on the rise, and those most likely to leave their jobs increased from 34.7% in May 2020 to 46.4% in April 2021 – a 34% increase in high turnover intentions. 

We’ve found that as 2021 has gathered pace, top talent has become scarcer, and of those not already approached directly, candidates typically have two or more offers to consider, without mentioning the likely and dreaded current-role “Counter Offer”! To muddy the waters further, we can see through Seek data (mainly record high website views vs record low online applications) that candidate behaviour has evolved this year.

All this being said, Scitex has had a year of significant advances. We have a larger team than ever, thanks to the introductions of Emma Bultitude – Talent Resourcer, Dr. Denis Simonov – Scientific Consultant, Troy Thurston – General Manager, and Ali Williams – Senior Consultant Waikato, as key additions to the team. Additionally, we’ve adapted our process and tools, invested in new technology and training, and created specialised teams to ensure we continue advancing our skills in the key areas of our operation.

This has all helped us to reach more candidates and clients than ever before. And, whilst there have been tough moments for everyone this year, we’ve built on our established and very critical client base where we’ve seen record perm hire numbers across multiple clients for the year, a record number of new clients introduced to Scitex for the first time, and a best ever month on record in September – right in the middle of Auckland’s most recent lockdown measures. 

• Despite all the challenges of 2021, whilst we have seen record-breaking job ad numbers, we’ve also experienced the lowest ever applications per job ad (SEEK NZ)  
• Our NZ market unemployment rate has dropped to 3.4% in Stats NZ’s September quarter. 
• Whilst job anxiety in NZ has risen, the high rates of considering a new role means that people are not willing to stick at it with an employer they don’t trust or value; 
• No matter what impacts COVID-19 has thrown our way, our employment market has become comfortable with the landscape we find ourselves in, no matter what the restrictions – employers are choosing to hire, and candidates are seeking to move.  

To enable us to continue to adapt with all these firsts and records, we have chosen to invest in new technologies to ensure we reach the right talent and enable our clients to reach their desired future states. By using these technologies, we have been able to refine our processes to allow us to focus on consistent improvement in engagement meaning everyone in the hiring decision making process are more informed than ever… And we’re only getting started. 

2021 has seen adaptation and agility become ever-present not just for us, but for all of our clients, candidates, suppliers and stakeholders, as we have navigated seemingly new territory for us all. From the team at Scitex, we want to thank our wonderful network of Scientific and Technical talent, our loyal and fabulous clients, and everyone who has come with us on our journey as we have continued to evolve this year, and we really look forward to getting your support to continue to improve the changing recruitment landscape. 

We have a lot instore for 2022, and we hope to be able to build on our newfound understanding of the Great Resignation, and to assist our clients with greater retention and attraction, and for our candidates to access some of the very best roles within some of NZ’s most aspiring and innovative companies. 

Whilst our office is closed from 12pm Friday 24th December until Monday 10th January, we do have someone keeping the lights on over the break (feel free to email hello@scitex.co.nz or gareth@scitex.co.nz for anything urgent).

We can’t wait for 2022, and we sincerely hope everyone in our wider network can take a well-deserved break over the holiday season.  

Happy holidays,  

From the Scitex Team