The Past:

Back in the beginnings everything was manual, we had a Filofax (flip card index system) and a dial up phone on our desk. Timesheets were collected in our mail box or via our fax machine (the height of business sophistication at the time). All of which were superseded by email, cell phones and cloud-based software.

Job advertising was primarily newspaper-based until the mid-2000s when online platforms such as SEEK and Trade Me emerged.

In 2010, we established a social media presence, starting with X (formerly Twitter), followed by Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

The Present:

PN Personnel was an early adopter of cloud-based technology, becoming one of the first recruitment agencies in New Zealand to implement an end-to-end cloud-based system in 2016. This meant no more paper timesheets, making an easy and efficient streamlined process for candidates and clients to submit and approve online.

Mobile phones have transformed how we connect.  Whether it be a phone call, a text or an email, mobile technology and email have made it easier than ever for recruiters to stay in touch with clients and candidates.

A key part of recruitment is the human element – connecting, advising and consulting in person or on-line with our clients and candidates. The virtual interview has removed barriers of distance and accessibility, and while we still prefer to sit down face-to-face, the ability to connect online means we can tap into wider talent pools more efficiently.

The Future:

Recruitment will always be about people. There will always be the need for genuine, face-to-face connection. Recruiters will continue to become more consultative, guiding clients and candidates through the hiring process to achieve successful outcomes.

We’ll embrace new technologies such as AI to enhance our services and strategies. AI can help job seekers personalise their career journeys, and smart algorithms can make matching candidates to vacancies even more effective.

However, AI won’t replace critical thinking – and this is where Recruitment Specialists add real value. The ability to interview, ask the right questions and truly understand people will ensure the quality of talent and opportunities remains high.



As we look to the next 30 years, one thing is certain: people will always be at the heart of recruitment… and so will we.