Wellington

Recruiters, Rivals & the Death Rattle of Desperation

And once again, my hands are tied. This was promised to be a blog with some juicy industry gossip, and it very nearly was. However, after a few conversations yesterday, my editor (I do my own editing) has opted to veto the scoop. The reason: once the dust has settled,…

Sean WaltersAugust 22, 2025

Employment Human Resources Recruitment

Oh! See (G) ya later!

Apologies for the terrible word play, but it is early. Last week I alluded to some big and sad recruitment news, but was asked by people I care about not to blog about it just yet. Demonstrating that I do actually have a heart, the dust has now settled allowing…

Sean WaltersAugust 15, 2025

Employment Politics Recruitment

Christchurch recruitment: Death by a thousand cuts

I don't blog about Christchurch much. Odd in some ways given that it's New Zealand's second largest city. In fact, based on the news coverage that the Garden City receives in general, it seems hard to believe that it's almost twice as big (by population) as Wellington. Wellington, being the…

Sean WaltersAugust 1, 2025

Human Resources Politics Recruitment Work

More job losses at Robert Walters highlight the cost of (mis)management

It's been another tough seven days at Robert Walters. Regular readers may remember my blog from last November, back when Robert Walters pulled-pin on their Christchurch operation, leaving 7 or so employees without a job just before Christmas. If my sources, and there are plenty of them, are anything to…

Sean WaltersJune 6, 2025

Employment Recruitment Sourcing

How far is too far?

I had a call yesterday from an old candidate down in Wellington. I missed it as I was out peddling my wares to a prospective new client. Before I could call him back, I received the following text from them: "Let me know if you want a topic for your…

Sean WaltersMay 30, 2025

Employment Human Resources Recruitment

High basics & high blood pressure: A curious correlation

Pay rises are great aren't they? A flasher car, a bigger house, nicer wine, hotter partner, stress, redundancy, unemployment, the inability to change jobs. They really are fantastic. And the great thing about a pay rise is that you never go backwards. Each year, and every time you move job…

Sean WaltersApril 11, 2025

Employment Human Resources Job Boards Recruitment Work

2024: A Year.

I've asked a few recruiters of late how 2024 has been for them, and comments have ranged from "worse than the GFC" to "f*ckin' sh*te mate". Thankfully, it is all but over. SEEK were kind enough to buy me a few beers and some lovely socks this week, and overall…

Sean WaltersDecember 20, 2024

Employment Human Resources Politics

180,000 reasons not to get a pay rise

Being originally from the UK, I find the MMP voting system here refreshingly "European". For those who don't know or care, the UK, being stuck in the 1930s, uses the outdated "first past the post" system. To explain briefly, the UK is divided into over 600 constituencies. Come election time,…

Sean WaltersDecember 6, 2024

Employment Politics Recruitment

More AoG Misery: “No conversion fee shall apply”

In case you didn't know already, the opportunity to make contractor margin on Government contractors in their second year of work has now been deemed practically impossible. I was actually hoping for a fun and frivolous blog this morning, however, given I've had to cover every aspect of the "All…

Sean WaltersSeptember 27, 2024

Employment Human Resources Politics Recruitment

MBIE: Procurement, with all the charm of gum disease

Birthdays are a special time. A time to reflect on progress and achievements. A time to look to the future with renewed optimism. No matter what you've gone through, a birthday marks the start of a new year. And "new year" can mean "new you". And so it is as…

Sean WaltersJuly 5, 2024