Arduous selection processes and psychometric testing are back in vogue among employers, according to New Zealand owned recruitment agency Madison.
Chief operating officer Julie Cressey says the recession has given firms breathing space to reflect on their recruitment policies, in contrast to the boom years, when filling seats was the priority.
She says hirers are now trying to add more objectivity to the process to make sure a potential employee will fit well in to their organisation.
Ms Cressey says there are some sectors such as engineering, where the skill shortage has never really gone away, despite higher unemployment.