As I write this, we are waiting (and hoping) to see if tomorrow the Reserve Bank will announce the first rate cut since holding the cash rate at 4.35% since November 2023. With so many headlines around a stagnant economy and the cost-of-living crisis, are we really basing all optimism on this announcement?

What’s been refreshing since the start of the year is the movement we’ve seen in the job market. Coming back into the office in the hiatus between Christmas and New Year, historically a quiet time in the world of recruitment, I started to hear an inkling of positivity which, as January progressed, became a trend. People had moved into new roles or been offered new roles in December, and then January, and now it’s continuing into February.

This isn’t linked to a specific industry as I work across several verticals. It’s not a specific discipline as our team works across different functions. It’s across the board. One common theme however is that a higher number of people are finding roles via their personal networks. This trend is one I’m sure will continue for the rest of the year as organisations look more closely at effectively managing discretionary spend.

If you’re currently job hunting, make sure you utilize your networks effectively. Make time to catch up with people you know in organisations you’d like to work for. If you see a business advertising, see if you have a connection who can introduce you. Connections in consulting firms can also be invaluable.

My 25+ years in the recruitment industry tells me that 2025 feels more optimistic than 2024. 2024 had to happen for us to again understand what a ‘normal’ job market feels like.

Maidlin Mistry

Divisional Manager

Maidlin has worked in the recruitment industry for over 20 years with both boutique firms and listed multi-nationals. She has recently returned home to Melbourne after spending 4 years in Singapore where she partnered with global investment banks, hedge funds and growing technology firms focusing on HR and strategy roles…