These are the 20 most applied for jobs right now

Knowing what your competition looks like can influence the roles you apply for, the transferable skills you highlight and the way you refine your application. That’s why we’re taking a look at the roles and industries that attracted the most applications across Australia when COVID-19 restrictions first hit in March-April compared to those in July-August.

Explore the list to see to the level of competition in your industry – then see what industry experts say about how you can make your application stand out.

Competition gets tough in travel

The travel industry is one of those hit hardest by pandemic restrictions, so it may be no surprise that Travel Consultants top the list of most applied for roles.

Susan Chand, Senior Recruitment Consultant at TMS Talent says while many travel consultants were busy at the very start of the pandemic, it’s uncertain when the industry will recover to pre-COVID levels of operation.

“Back in March, there was still activity in the travel industry with people cancelling and rebooking their holidays,” she says. “But now, companies are doing it very lean.”

With fewer roles for Travel Consultants right now, Chand suggests that you promote your transferable skills when applying for your next role.

“Skills like customer service are relevant across most industries, whether it’s health, financial services or insurance, so highlight examples of customer service success in your application.

“Sales and marketing capabilities are also valuable skills that you will have developed in the travel industry. I think people with experience working in travel have some of the most transferable skills of any industry.”

Use this checklist to identify and understand what your transferable skills are.

More happening in education again

Secondary Teachers came in at number five on the list of most applied for roles. Alex Jones, regional director of Hays Education, puts the growth down to the lower levels of recruitment activity during the lockdown period, plus the general recruitment uptake in education this time of the year.

“The increase of teaching applicants in the second half of the year is highly reflective of the normal market cycle,” he says. “Having said this, the pandemic did result in a decline in recruitment activity mid-year when schools shut down and moved to remote classrooms.”

To stand out for your next teaching role, Jones suggests highlighting a “complete teaching package” in your application.

“Softs skills were gaining prominence before the pandemic hit and have become an even greater priority today as employers look for a candidate who is adaptable with strong communication and team work skills. Therefore, make sure your resume paints a picture of the relevance of your soft as well as technical skills by sharing examples of situations where your soft skills shone through.”

Engineering proves popular

The engineering industry is also favoured by job seekers, with Building Services Engineers and Mechanical Engineering among the top 20 most applied for roles on SEEK.

Kuven Vyanan, Senior Consultant at Spring Professional, says given the disruptions caused by COVID-19, engineering employers are looking for people with technical experience they can immediately apply to make an instant impact to their business.

“Employers are also looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong grasp of soft skills including communication, problem solving and adaptability,” he says.

If you’re applying for one of these popular engineering roles, Vyanan recommends using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results) method when responding to selection criteria and to be well-prepared for interviews.

“Practice at home to try to combat the nerves and just be yourself,” he says.

You can read more about how to use the STAR method and what to say in your interview here.

With more people in the market for a job now, knowing where the competition is strong may help you shape your job-hunting approach. By focusing on the ways you can stand out, highlighting your transferable skills and tailoring your application around what employers are looking for, you’re giving yourself the best chance of success.

Read more

• This practice interview builder can help you boost your confidence
• How to overcome the hurdles of finding a job in a recession  

Want to find out where the jobs are? See which roles are in demand in your state.