As we step into June, an intriguing phenomenon unfolds in the Australian corporate landscape. This is a month that sees many companies hit the ‘pause’ button on their recruitment efforts as they prepare for the closure of the financial year. However, those who can spot an opportunity amidst the calm are those who are rewarded. Keiran Hathorn, Founder and Managing Director of Big Wave Digital recruitment, refers to such companies as the “SMART” ones. They understand the exceptional advantage June brings with its unique demand-supply dynamics, particularly in the hiring of Technical and Digital Marketing talent.
Understanding the June Phenomenon
To comprehend the opportunity, it’s essential to first understand why June is a unique month in the Australian hiring cycle. As the last month of the financial year, it’s a period where businesses finalise their accounts, assess their performance, and plan for the year ahead. Often, hiring plans are put on hold until new budgets are released in July. This behaviour results in a marked reduction in the number of companies actively seeking new talent during June.
Hathorn observes a contrarian approach among some savvy businesses that seize this moment to snap up top-quality candidates. With fewer companies in the hiring mix, competition decreases, and the pool of available talent broadens. This is where the law of supply and demand comes into play, presenting an enticing opportunity for those ready to make their move.
The Rising Demand for Tech and Digital Talent
While the supply-demand dynamics during June create a favourable hiring environment, the ongoing surge in demand for Technical and Digital Marketing talent adds another layer to the story. Since May 2020, the demand for skilled professionals in these sectors has reached unprecedented levels. As businesses across all sectors accelerate their digital transformation journeys, they are seeking talented individuals capable of navigating this new terrain.
This increased demand has naturally led to a rise in salaries as companies compete to secure the best talent. As such, the savvy companies that take advantage of the June hiring pause can negotiate better terms with highly skilled candidates who would typically be in high demand.
Insights from the Field
Julia Semmens, Head of Technical Recruitment across Australia and New Zealand, has observed similar patterns. She notes that the June hiring dip is a consistent trend, yet many companies fail to exploit it. Semmens advocates for a proactive approach to recruitment during this period, particularly for highly sought-after roles in the technical and digital marketing sectors.
Echoing the sentiments of Warren Buffet, she says, “Be greedy when others are fearful.” It’s a piece of advice that is particularly relevant in the context of June hiring in Australia. While others are waiting for the new financial year to unfold, smart businesses seize the moment, capitalising on the abundance of talent and less competition.
The Carpe Diem Approach
Hathorn and Semmens’ insights highlight a powerful opportunity for businesses willing to diverge from the conventional hiring timetable. The month of June, often overlooked as a hiring period, can be a goldmine for securing top-tier talent in the technical and digital marketing sectors.
This is the time to embody the spirit of ‘Carpe Diem’ – seize the day – or in this case, seize the month. While others are waiting for their new budgets, you could be welcoming the best and brightest into your team, getting a head start on the new financial year.
The tech and digital marketing sectors are fast-paced and constantly evolving. To stay ahead, companies need to be agile and innovative, not only in their operations but also in their hiring strategies. The month of June, often overlooked due to the end of the financial year, offers a prime opportunity to snap up high-quality talent.
The Australian financial year ends in June, often leading companies to halt their hiring efforts until fresh budgets are released in the following month. However, for the visionary organisations that see beyond this pause, June presents a golden opportunity. Keiran Hathorn, Founder and Managing Director of Big Wave Digital recruitment, recognises the “SMART” companies as those adopting a contrarian approach to hiring Digital Talent during this period. This strategy can yield an abundance of top-quality candidates in Digital Marketing and Technical roles due to the unique dynamics of the demand versus supply ratio.
Understanding the Demand and Supply Dynamics
Since May 2020, the demand side for Tech and digital talent has been monumental. Consequently, salaries have experienced a significant rise as the demand squeeze plays out. However, in June, this dynamic alters subtly. As many companies put a hold on their hiring processes, the number of companies looking to hire in June decreases. This shift results in a larger pool of top-tier candidates available for the fewer roles being advertised. Therefore, organisations that maintain their recruitment efforts during this time have the chance to attract and hire highly talented individuals.
A Closer Look at the Digital Marketing Landscape in Australia
Digital Marketing, characterised by the strategic use of digital channels to promote products, services, or brands, has been witnessing rapid growth. The amount of time people spend online has increased by 5% in the past three years alone, making digital marketing an ever more critical component of business strategies. This increase in online activity has led to a surge in demand for Digital Marketers in Australia, a trend predicted to grow by 21.1% in the next five years. However, despite the high demand, a significant skills gap exists, presenting companies with a challenge to find the right talent1.
In June, however, this scenario shifts. As several companies pause their hiring process, the pool of available talent increases. Organisations that continue their hiring efforts during this period have access to a wider range of qualified candidates, increasing their chances of finding the perfect fit for their needs.
7 reasons why you should consider hiring in June in Australia.
- Increased Pool of Candidates: With many companies pausing their hiring process in June due to the end of the financial year, there is an increased pool of top-quality candidates in the market. This gives companies a wider selection to choose from.
- Less Competition: Fewer companies hiring during June means there’s less competition for top talent. This increases the chances of attracting and hiring the best candidates.
- Salary Negotiation: With less competition and more candidates, companies might have more leverage in salary negotiations, potentially securing top talent at competitive rates.
- Getting a Head Start: Companies that hire in June can get a head start on their competitors. They’ll have their new hires onboarded and ready to start when the new financial year begins in July.
- Taking Advantage of the Skills Gap: The demand for Digital Marketers in Australia is high, and there’s a notable skills gap. By hiring in June, companies can take advantage of this gap and hire skilled professionals who are looking for opportunities1.
- Opportunity for Long-term Planning: By aligning the hiring process with the financial year, companies can better plan for the long term. They can assess their needs and budget for the upcoming year and bring in new hires right at the start of the financial year.
- Increased Productivity: New hires can hit the ground running at the start of the new financial year. This allows for an immediate increase in productivity, rather than waiting for the hiring process to resume and then onboard new staff later in the year.
🐳 Big Wave Digital Recruitment stands as a titan in the realm of technical recruitment, boasting a sterling track record of sourcing talent across all roles – from mid-level developers to Chief Technology Officers. We operate extensively within Sydney and Melbourne, connecting the brightest minds with companies that desire to stay ahead of the curve.
Our expertise and deep knowledge of the tech industry, combined with our broad networks and keen understanding of client needs, allows us to efficiently match the right candidates with the right roles.
If you’re seeking the crème de la crème of tech talent, your journey starts with a conversation with our recruitment maestros, Keiran and Jules. With their profound understanding of the industry and their relentless commitment to delivering excellence, they will be your guiding lights in navigating the complex terrain of tech recruitment.
Thanks for reading,
Cheers Keiran
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Big Wave Digital are experts in Digital Recruitment Sydney
At Big Wave Digital , Sydney’s leading digital, blockchain and technical recruitment agency, we have deep connections, experience and proven expertise, and the ability to achieve a win for all parties in the challenging recruiting process. We can connect to highly coveted digital and tech talent with the world’s best employers. To discover more, just give us a call at (02) 9380 4431.
Keiran Hathorn is the CEO & Founder of Big Wave Digital. A Sydney based niche Digital, Blockchain & Technology recruitment company. Keiran leads a high performance, experienced recruitment team, assisting companies of all sizes secure the best talent.
