Global job trends push Australian HR managers to look overseas

With Australia’s human resources managers competing in an exceptionally crowded job market – where new data shows there is just one role for every 16,972 candidates – they are now being urged to broaden their search for opportunities overseas.

New research from Remote paints a stark picture of the challenges facing Australia’s HR managers, with an estimated 18,691 qualified candidates competing for just 1,719 advertised roles – amounting to only one position for every 16,972 jobseekers.

The report also sheds light on salary disparities across the country, with the national average sitting at US$67,953. NSW comes in at US$70,960, the ACT tops the list at US$76,113, while the Northern Territory trails at US$62,084.

Amid such intense competition, the global HR organisation is encouraging professionals to broaden their horizons and consider opportunities overseas, pointing to several countries where demand for HR managers is strong and competition is far less fierce.

Remote found that HR managers could significantly improve their chances of landing their ideal roles by targeting “dream destinations” such as New Zealand, which currently has an estimated 609 HR manager job advertisements for just 1,303 candidates.

Other recommended countries with more favourable job markets for qualified professionals include Norway, Croatia, Singapore, and Finland.

This trend is increasingly reflected in global hiring practices, with a Remote survey finding that 40 per cent of hiring leaders at internationally distributed companies report that fewer than half of their new hires come from their home country.

Meanwhile, 38 per cent say they struggle to find candidates with the right skills – an ongoing gap that is driving more companies to explore international talent markets.

Barbara Matthews, chief people officer at Remote, said the rise of global remote hiring allows businesses to access top talent worldwide while giving HR managers the opportunity to pursue roles across borders that align with their values and goals within the profession.

“The benefit to businesses is that they can take a borderless approach to hiring and tap into exceptional talent across the world, not only in their local market. What could be especially appealing to candidates like HR managers is that they possess a highly valued transferable skill set that companies around the globe require,” Matthews said.

“The increase in global remote hiring means these candidates can widen their own job search across borders to find a dream role that matches their values while providing a healthy life-work balance.”

For HR managers considering a move abroad – or simply a remote role with an international company – Remote has outlined strategies for standing out in a competitive hiring landscape:

1. Reach out to your network: “Some roles are filled by hiring managers before ever being posted. Connect on LinkedIn with hiring managers from companies you know to be fully remote or using a hybrid or asynchronous model. Engage with remote professionals with experience working for overseas companies,” Remote said.

2. Share expertise and build your personal brand: “A fully remote or hybrid company needs workers who have great hard skills, but they also need employees who are able to communicate and share their story in an engaging way.”

3. Show your passion for remote work: “Your cover letter is a great opportunity to show your desire to work remotely and with a company that has a global workforce. They can also be a great way to show off your creativity. For instance, if you notice the job requirements ask for experience in a specific collaboration tool like Notion, consider creating your CV using the tool to show your familiarity.”

4. Customise your résumé for each remote role: “Having a differentiated résumé is still a vital part of the application process. Ensure your résumé is role-specific and customised to the job you are applying for. Highlight keywords from the job description to ensure your application isn’t filtered out by applicant tracking systems. Your résumé is just the start of the conversation.”

5. Connect with the company’s mission and values: “Remote companies want to hire people who are invested in their mission, making it important to familiarise yourself with what the company stands for before applying. You should be able to explain why the company’s mission and values resonate with you personally.”