Recruitment expert issues a warning to Australia on why unemployment could be about to surge: Here are her tips for finding a job

Louise McCallum, the managing partner of digital recruitment group SCC Talent, has revealed some of her clients were struggling to find work with unemployment now at a two-year high

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A recruitment expert is urging Australians to actively network with their former colleagues – with unemployment expected to surge in the coming year.

Louise McCallum, the managing partner of digital recruitment firm SCC Talent, has revealed some of her clients are struggling to find work with unemployment now at a two-year high.

The situation is tipped to get worse with the number of unemployed growing by 11 per cent by mid-2025.

‘We have spoken to a few candidates lately who are very sadly struggling to find that next role. It’s heartbreaking to hear,’ she said on a LinkedIn post.

Ms McCallum said those out of work need to actively network.

‘Reach out: of course you need to network with ex-colleagues, industry connections,’ she said.

‘But tell everyone in your community, including friends and family, you never know who they might know.

‘And it’s good to keep having conversations and that human contact too.’

Those without work are also advised to set aside time to apply for jobs, rather than spending the whole day applying for jobs.

‘Compartmentalise your day: Don’t just sit in front of your computer all day scrolling for jobs – set apart a specific time each day to apply for roles, work on your CV,’ Ms McCallum said.

‘Then go for a walk/exercise. Then do home admin. Break your day into different zones.’

Australia’s jobless rate in January hit a two-year high of 4.1 per cent.

More than 600,000 are now out of work but Treasury economists are expecting the unemployment rate to hit 4.5 per cent by June 2025.

This would see 65,486 more people join the ranks of the unemployed, in a labour force of 14.8million people.

The number of unemployed people would be 10.9 per cent higher than now.

While unemployment is still lower than it was before the Covid pandemic, uncertainty about the labour market and the rise of artificial intelligence is creating anxiety.

The Reserve Bank’s 13 interest rate rises in 18 months have also taken the cash rate to a 12-year high of 4.35 per cent.

This is tipped to cause an economic slowdown without causing a recession.

Ms McCallum said there was no shame in encountering a period of uncertainty in life.

‘Mindset: As a recruiter who has interviewed hundreds of people, I can genuinely tell you the majority of the population have not worked for a period in their career, through retrenchments, resignations or other life circumstances,’ she said.

‘DO NOT BE EMBARASSED. ‘Keep going – you will get through this.’

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