is finding a job harder than ever?

Dominic Joyce, a job seeker who has applied for over 100 positions since being made redundant in March, reflects a common struggle in the current job market. Despite a surge in vacancies during the pandemic, hiring has slowed across professional sectors, leading to increased competition and difficulties in finding suitable roles. Employers are inundated with applications, leading to a lack of feedback and a more impersonal recruitment process. The use of AI in CV building has made it harder for recruiters to filter candidates effectively. Candidates are resorting to a “spray and pray” approach, sending out more applications but sacrificing quality. While some sectors face a surplus of candidates, others, particularly lower-paid industries and those requiring specialized skills, struggle to attract applicants. The dichotomy between standing-up jobs and sitting-down jobs is evident, with trades and hospitality finding it easier to hire than university-educated, white-collar professions. At senior levels, competition remains fierce, and success often depends on networking and accessing the hidden job market. After suffering from burnout and being promised a job upon her return, a jobseeker found that the offer had disappeared along with other opportunities, leading to demoralization and frustration. Another jobseeker expressed exhaustion after numerous interviews without feedback or job offers, reflecting a trend in the current uncertain job market where candidates and employers are cautious. Despite the challenges, experts believe that as economic conditions stabilize, the labor market will improve, offering hope for jobseekers like Joyce who finally landed a senior talent manager role after a long search.

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