When Oppo managing director, Morgan Halim, posted a job advertisement, he never expected the overwhelming response it received. With over 2500 applications pouring in for a customer service role in central Auckland, Halim found himself pleasantly surprised.
Halim mentioned that the position required experience in customer service, with a preference for call centre experience. The influx of applicants was unexpected, especially for an entry-level role. Interestingly, more candidates applied for this role compared to those with specialized requirements, such as a content creator position also advertised by Oppo.
To tackle the daunting task of vetting through thousands of applications, Halim planned to collaborate with a human resources partner. The final selection process would involve scrutinizing applications based on location, experience, and skills, narrowing down the options efficiently.
Despite the overwhelming response, only 44 percent of applicants were from New Zealand. This international interest in working for Oppo highlighted the company’s growing popularity, with a current team of 27 employees.
According to Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen, the surge in job applications was not limited to Oppo but reflected a broader trend across all industries. The data indicated a significant increase in applicants per job ad compared to pre-pandemic levels, signifying intense competition in the job market due to high unemployment rates.
While the number of applications per filled job seemed to have stabilized in recent months, the competition remained fierce. With job listings still below pre-pandemic levels, Olsen emphasized the need for a substantial increase in available positions to alleviate the pressure on job seekers.
