People2people Recruitment Shares Top 25 Tips for 2025

As the Australian workforce enters 2025, the landscape continues to evolve, shaped by trends in mental health, workplace flexibility, and shifting priorities around pay and benefits. To help both employers and job seekers thrive in this dynamic environment, people2people recruitment has compiled 25 actionable tips grounded in the latest insights from the Australian job market.

Catherine Kennedy, NSW Managing Director at people2people Recruitment, says, "The trends we observed in 2024—rising stress levels, financial anxieties, and changing workplace expectations—are still highly relevant as we approach 2025. Employers and job seekers alike must adapt to these shifts by embracing new strategies and leveraging opportunities to create a thriving workforce."

10 Tips for Employers

1. Prioritise Employee Well-being: With 68% of workers reporting higher stress levels in 2024, mental health support is no longer optional. Regular check-ins, flexible work arrangements, and access to well-being resources can help your team stay healthy and productive.
2. Keep Pay Competitive: Salaries took the top spot for workplace priorities in 2024, with 65% of workers preferring a pay increase over more flexibility. Regular salary reviews and market benchmarking will keep you ahead in attracting and retaining talent.
3. Offer Flexibility That Works for Everyone: While pay is critical, 35% of employees still value flexible working arrangements. Hybrid options that fit individual lifestyles can set your organisation apart.
4. Encourage Time Off: Nearly 45% of Australian workers delayed annual leave in 2024 due to financial worries. Normalise taking breaks and support employees in fully disconnecting to recharge.
5. Invest in Upskilling Programmes: Learning and development has been a consistent top benefit. Offering on-demand training and skills workshops will keep your team competitive and engaged.
6. Adopt Data-Driven Hiring Practices: Use AI and analytics to streamline recruitment while ensuring decisions remain unbiased. Technology can help identify the best candidates while saving time.
7. Focus on Inclusivity: Build diverse teams by implementing inclusive hiring strategies. Studies show that inclusive workplaces see much higher levels of engagement.
8. Reassess Job Roles: Adapt roles to meet the changing needs of your organisation. Clearly communicate these changes to employees to ensure alignment.
9. Promote Internal Mobility: Two-thirds of employees would stay longer if internal career changes were easier. Encourage growth within your organisation through mentorship, promotions, and cross-department opportunities.
10. Celebrate Achievements: Big or small, recognising accomplishments boosts morale and fosters a positive workplace culture. Public shoutouts, personalised notes, or even a celebratory coffee can go a long way.

Catherine Kennedy says, "The 2025 workforce expects more from employers—better pay, robust mental health support, and meaningful development opportunities. Addressing these needs not only attracts top talent but also builds a resilient, engaged workforce ready to navigate future challenges."

Top Tips for Job Seekers

1. Highlight Pay Expectations: With pay becoming a primary workplace driver, job seekers should clearly articulate salary expectations during negotiations, backed by research on industry benchmarks. 
2. Adapt to Hybrid Work Models: While pay takes the lead, flexibility remains key for many. Highlight your ability to excel in hybrid work models, balancing remote and in-office dynamics. This is particularly valuable in a landscape where 65% of workers continue to navigate workplace stress.
3. Leverage Your Network: Professional connections are more crucial than ever. With financial pressures impacting traditional networking opportunities, turn to cost-effective platforms like LinkedIn or local events to build relationships that lead to job opportunities.
4. Tailor Your Resume: In 2024, recruiters valued tailored resumes over generic applications. Use AI-driven tools to optimise your resume for each job application, but keep your resume personable and engaging enough, and be aware of AI's limitations.
5. Emphasise Skills in Demand: Highlight skills like adaptability, data literacy, and emotional intelligence, which are increasingly sought after in today's job market.
6. Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Keeping abreast of market demands ensures you can pivot your career strategy to align with opportunities.
7. Master Video Interviews: With virtual hiring becoming standard, ensure you are comfortable with video interview platforms, maintain a professional setting, and rehearse key talking points.
8. Showcase Learning and Development: Employers value candidates who invest in themselves. Highlight any courses or certifications completed recently to demonstrate commitment to growth.
9. Balance Personal and Professional Growth: Stress and financial pressures affect productivity. Show potential employers how you prioritise work-life balance and mental health. Activities like mindfulness and ongoing self-care demonstrate a well-rounded approach to sustaining long-term success.
10. Be Persistent: The job market remains competitive, but confidence is rising. Learn from rejections, refine your approach, and maintain optimism. Employers increasingly value resilience, especially in a job seeker who can adapt to economic and workplace changes.

Catherine Kennedy says, "2025 offers immense potential for job seekers who are ready to adapt. Focus on your strengths, clearly demonstrate your value, and remain proactive in navigating the ever-changing job market. Identify your non-negotiables, but be mindful that the current market is highly competitive. To secure the role you want, you may need to be flexible and reconsider some of the criteria you initially set for your job search."

5 Overall Tips for Success in 2025

1. Embrace Collaboration: Bridge the gap between in-office and remote workers by scheduling regular check-ins, using tools like Zoom for real-time communication, and celebrating wins inclusively. Foster connections through virtual team-building and ensure all voices are heard in meetings and projects. Inclusivity and alignment are key to hybrid teamwork success.
2. Foster a Growth Mindset: Stay agile by embracing change and proactively seeking opportunities to learn. Take on new challenges, upskill through courses, and encourage feedback to fuel personal and professional growth. Growth happens when you're open to adapting and evolving.
3. Invest in Technology Wisely: It would be silly not to make the most of the amazing potential AI has to offer. Leverage AI and automation to streamline tasks and improve productivity, but keep the human element in relationship-building and decision-making. Use tools like AI-powered scheduling while prioritising personal connections to create a balanced approach.
4. Prioritise Work-Life Balance: Schedule time to rest and recharge to combat stress and burnout. Set clear boundaries, take regular breaks, and prioritise activities that boost your mental and physical health. A healthy work-life balance ensures long-term success.
5. Plan for the Long Term: Set clear career or organisational goals to prepare for future opportunities. Break your vision into actionable steps, monitor progress, and stay flexible to adjust plans as needed. Strategic planning builds confidence and focus.

Catherine Kennedy says, "The trends shaping 2025—mental health, flexibility, pay expectations, and technology—offer challenges but also significant opportunities for growth. By embracing these insights, both employers and job seekers can build a more resilient, thriving workforce in the year ahead."

About people2people: people2people is an Australasian recruitment company built on an established reputation for providing professional and personalised recruitment services since early 2005. At people2people recruitment, their focus is on identifying potential today to build careers and businesses of tomorrow. Recruitment expertise includes accounting & finance, business support, executive, government, human resources, legal, marketing & digital, property, sales, supply chain management and technology.

For further information or interview requests, please contact: 

Lisa Solomons @ 360 PR | e: lisa@360pr.com.au | p: 0416 175 518