Recruitment sector still hot and unemployment figures dropping

Welcome to the third AAAI report.

A big thank you to everyone for your feedback about the launch of our new website last month. We have received many positive comments as well as plenty of interest from our registered candidates about the AAAI report. We also thank our clients who have taken the time to fill out our on-line vacancy form regarding their own staffing needs. All this effort is greatly appreciated, and AAAI will endeavour to live up to your staffing expectations and your career objectives.

Because of the sharp focus AAAI has in placing professional engineers, we often hear about roles before they even appear on the market . In many cases, roles will not be advertised as we often operate in the discreet world of Executive Search. This means we rely on using our extensive candidate network, candidate referrals as well as market research to tap into the small pool of available specialist engineers. Therefore, I would welcome those candidates who are either considering a career move or want a new challenge in the workplace to contact me directly at mike.hayes@aaai.com.au or call (02) 9439 2977 for a confidential discussion.

WA market hot for engineers

Having just returned from Western Australia last week after working with our WA Director, Geoff Berry, we have definitely noticed that the market in WA is still very strong regarding the demand for engineering professionals. This is due to the large amount of money being spent on infrastructure for mining, rail and port projects by the Government as well as mining companies such as BHP and Rio. However, the pool of available candidates in WA is obviously far smaller than on the east coast of Australia. This forces clients to look at recruitment companies who have the ability to tap into a large overseas candidate network. I therefore welcome all overseas candidates who wish to work in Australia to please keep your information up to date on our system, especially if your skills are in the oil & gas, mining, infrastructure and rail sectors. For further information about work in WA, please contact Geoff Berry on 0411 114 170 or click here to view his details.

Executive Search activity on the increase for AAAI

AAAI is currently enjoying a steady run of Executive Search activity across the engineering, oil & gas, mining and manufacturing market sectors for clients seeking senior engineers and managers around Australia and overseas. The trend for executive search hire of senior staff appears to be on the increase due to a number of factors. Firstly, it creates an air of mystique and interest for the candidates when we "tap them on the shoulder" and invite them in for a confidential discussion in the initial candidate search phase. Secondly, it provides the confidentiality that the client is seeking to attract top candidates without alerting their competitors. Finally, candidates are very aware of their competitors and will usually have a perceived impression about a company, whether it is correct or not. Executive Search usually dispels some of the fears a tapped candidate might have about moving to a competitive firm. As recruiters, it is our professional job to identify quality candidates and provide all the facts, truthfully and honestly, so that when the targeted candidate does commit, he or she is under no false allusions about the role and associated responsibilities. Today's candidates are very well educated, know who their competitors are and are in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations regarding salary remuneration.

If you would like to know more about our executive search process, or want to review some of our current work opportunities, then please either visit our website at www.aaai.com.au or call a consultant in your state for a general discussion.

Thank you again for taking the time to read the AAAI Report and please feel free to recommend this report to any friends and colleagues that you think might be interested.

Regards,

Mike Hayes.