The October 2024 Recruitment Trends Snapshot, sourced from WaveTrackR data, shows a continued rise in job postings and a notable surge in applications. This indicates a highly competitive market as more candidates seek out new roles, with Education and Manufacturing standing out as key sectors but still needing more jobs available for those candidates.
Monthly Trends
- Jobs Posted: There was an +11% increase in job postings compared to September 2024, indicating continued growth in available job opportunities.
- Applications: Applications rose significantly by +41%, suggesting heightened interest or competition among job seekers.
- Average Applications per Job: The average applications per job increased to 28, a sharp rise of 10 from the previous month, which points to more applicants per role.
Most Active Industries
Jobs Posted
- Education took the lead with 32% of all jobs posted, a significant increase from previous months.
- IT & Internet accounted for 14%.
- Health & Nursing and Manufacturing each made up 8%.
- Engineering & Utilities posted 7% of the total jobs.
Applications
- Manufacturing received the highest share of applications at 27%, maintaining its competitive edge.
- Engineering & Utilities followed with 11% of total applications.
- Health & Nursing had 10%.
- IT & Internet and Education each attracted 7% of applications.
Weekly Trends
- Most Jobs Posted: Tuesday was the most active day for job postings, with 25% of all jobs posted.
- Most Applications: Tuesday also saw the most applications, with 19% of total applications submitted.
Our Analysis
- Job Market Dynamics: The increase in job postings (+11%) and applications (+41%) reflects an active and competitive job market. The substantial rise in the average applications per job suggests that more candidates are actively seeking jobs, potentially due to seasonal trends or increased hiring activities leading up to the end of the year.
- Industry Insights: Manufacturing continues to be a highly competitive sector, with 27% of applications directed there despite representing only 8% of job postings. Education leads in job postings (32%), indicating strong demand in this field, while Engineering & Utilities also saw high application interest (11%).
- Weekly Patterns: The concentration of job postings and applications on Tuesdays suggests strategic posting and job-seeking behaviours at the beginning of the workweek to maximise visibility and responses.
