The majority, or 71%, of jobseekers in New Zealand say job security is far more important to them since the outbreak of Covid-19, according to a survey by Hays New Zealand.

Wellbeing & mental health support is also deemed to be important (61%), followed by regular and transparent communication from employers (60%).

With a significant percentage of people having worked remotely, the survey also highlights the growing importance of finding an employer who offers access to online collaboration and communication tools (which is important to 58% of professionals), trusts their staff (58%), provides work-life balance (57%) and offers regular remote working (55%).

These rated well ahead of the salary on offer, which stood at 37%.

In addition, the survey revealed that almost half (49%) of skilled professionals feel less positive about their career in response to the pandemic.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the importance to professionals of working in a secure job,” said Adam Shapley, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand. “This crisis has upended the professional lives of many and the shock brought on by rapid change and uncertainty has been unsettling. However, confidence will return. Indeed, as we have seen, employers are already returning to growth. In time, competition for the top talent will heat up once more and careers will progress again with certainty.”