What industry bosses are looking for as job market heats up

A new survey of more than 1,100 Australian employers from global recruitment firm Hays found that 72 per cent of financial services bosses think a quality CV is the best way for candidates to stand out from the crowd in the current job market.

A further 57 per cent said industry experience was the factor that would encourage them to hire a candidate, while 32 per cent said cultural fit was an essential factor.

Given rising unemployment was leading to increasing competition for open positions, Hays managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Nick Deligiannis, said it was more important than ever that candidates construct a clear and well-written resume.

“Employers are less willing to take a chance on someone at the moment, so you need to make sure you highlight relevant applicable industry experience on your CV,” Mr Deligiannis said.

“Cultural fit is essential too, which is why it’s important to research a hiring organisation’s culture and values then share in your CV and in an interview examples that demonstrate how your way of working is aligned with theirs.”

Detail oriented employees were also significantly in demand among financial services employers, with 42 per cent saying attention to detail was the most important soft skill they would prioritise in future recruitment.

Problem solving also rated highly, with 40 per cent saying this was a top priority, while 39 per cent said adaptability was an important factor.