2007 is looking to be another busy year

Welcome to the 12th edition of the AAAI Report.

As we enter March, we are now well into work mode and unfortunately holidays are now a distant memory. In fact, since our return in early January, the demand for professional engineers has been high right across the country.

For candidates who might be considering a new job, there is currently strong demand for all levels of disciplined engineers. In particular, sectors such as resources, mining, environmental, transportation, engineering, oil & gas, project management and construction are in need of new staff. In fact, most of our clients operating around Australia are either gearing up for new projects they have been awarded or recently won, or are in the midst of tenders for large scale projects that have large staff requirements. This workload is generally scattered around Australia but certainly we are seeing a strong push for staff in Qld and WA, closely followed by NSW and Victoria. We also continue to see our workload for overseas placements in the Middle East gain momentum, especially in the oil & gas sector. Candidates who are interested in looking for work in the Middle East should feel free to contact Peter Reynolds, Director Oil & Gas based in our Brisbane office.

What's hot?

Candidates are hot! That's right. You are in hot demand and currently in the driving seat. This is definitely a nice position to be in when times are good. Clients are also well aware that we have been in a candidate short market for sometime. However, this balance between demand and expectation is a trade off, based on either monetary or career based objectives for a long term or short term period.

The cost of hire for any employer is expensive and disruptive. Therefore, when a client considers a candidate who is well qualified for a targeted or specific position, the attractions for the candidate are going to be based on his/her motivation, and of course remuneration. If the role has the right challenge, and shows a clear career path ahead but the dollars or location are an issue, then normally a compromise will have to be worked out providing the individual is motivated further by the company, people and projects.

If a candidate is considering a position similar to their current one within another company, then the salary component will probably be the main focus for any consideration in a change. This then puts pressure on the client to consider an individual who is motivated for a change mostly by money, and not the company, its people or projects. Extra income is great, but on its own is not the only ingredient to consider in a move. A move has to be based on other factors such as company, people, culture, projects, flexibility, location, career as well as remuneration. If you can get to a situation when considering a new move where your work quality, money, career and family life are well-balanced, then everyone wins in the long run.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read our AAAI Report. Please recommend the AAAI Report to friends and colleagues you think may be interested in receiving it (via email) in the future to be kept up to date with latest employment news, jobs and trends.

Best regards,
Mike Hayes