Struggling to find a new job
Discussion
Anyone else really struggling to find another job?
I have a pretty generic, big Corp background which isn’t mega valuable or attractive - which I get but still surprised that I can’t find anything
I can’t work out if this is the result of mature UK economies, mature industries that are all focused on cost reduction and technology is really impacting staff numbers
Whatever is causing it - it is a bit of a worry
I have a pretty generic, big Corp background which isn’t mega valuable or attractive - which I get but still surprised that I can’t find anything
I can’t work out if this is the result of mature UK economies, mature industries that are all focused on cost reduction and technology is really impacting staff numbers
Whatever is causing it - it is a bit of a worry
Yes, the jobs market isn’t great. I’ve been looking for a new IT or Information & cyber security management job for six months now and it’s been really hard. At first, I’d not appreciated how much competition there would be. I didn’t have as good a CV or LinkedIn profile as I could, and wasn’t as well prepared as I should have been for interviews so wasted some opportunities.
More recently I’ve had a much better response rate and got very close, but still not there.
More recently I’ve had a much better response rate and got very close, but still not there.
I’ve applied for 12/13 this year and maybe 25 over the past 18months
If I get a response there is always valid feedback - not enough industry experience, too senior/expensive, not as direct experience as other applicants
Whenever I actually meet/speak to employers (which isn’t often) then I seem to get on well
I’m in mid 40s and staring down a corporate restructure over next 6-12 months
I’m not looking forward to next 10-15years from a work perspective - decreasing job security and probably slipping down the greasy pole that has taken me 25yrs to climb
Even starting to look at civil service/public sector just for the job security but I think the bureaucracy and politics would do my head in
Probably should have pivoted into something more technical/vocational 5-10 years ago but hindsight is easy
If I get a response there is always valid feedback - not enough industry experience, too senior/expensive, not as direct experience as other applicants
Whenever I actually meet/speak to employers (which isn’t often) then I seem to get on well
I’m in mid 40s and staring down a corporate restructure over next 6-12 months
I’m not looking forward to next 10-15years from a work perspective - decreasing job security and probably slipping down the greasy pole that has taken me 25yrs to climb
Even starting to look at civil service/public sector just for the job security but I think the bureaucracy and politics would do my head in
Probably should have pivoted into something more technical/vocational 5-10 years ago but hindsight is easy
Babber101 said:
Even starting to look at civil service/public sector just for the job security but I think the bureaucracy and politics would do my head in
I’d not be complacent about finding a job in the civil service either. There’s lots of competition and the bar is high for the best roles. As with any interview, preparation is key, from having a concise CV that’s full of interesting experience to being able to answer any question thrown at you. Lots of cool, interesting work in the public sector, with scale beyond many in the private sector ever experience. It’s certainly not a place where careers go to die. Yes, it is a nightmare and according to an agent I spoke to has been the worst he has ever known it.
Companies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Companies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Edited by Chimaera98 on Wednesday 25th September 12:46
Babber101 said:
Anyone else really struggling to find another job?
I have a pretty generic, big Corp background which isn’t mega valuable or attractive - which I get but still surprised that I can’t find anything
I can’t work out if this is the result of mature UK economies, mature industries that are all focused on cost reduction and technology is really impacting staff numbers
Whatever is causing it - it is a bit of a worry
Sorry to say this, but read the AI thread.I have a pretty generic, big Corp background which isn’t mega valuable or attractive - which I get but still surprised that I can’t find anything
I can’t work out if this is the result of mature UK economies, mature industries that are all focused on cost reduction and technology is really impacting staff numbers
Whatever is causing it - it is a bit of a worry
Plus Labour is in power and about to tax the hell out of everything.
Spent best part of six weeks out of work last summer, closer to eight this one (although lined up something temporary with a major company - decided it wasn’t for me).
Think most companies value younger staff (who will do numerous antisocial shifts/push themselves), and paying them as little as possible (no bonuses either). Things have changed in the last three/four years for sure.
Think most companies value younger staff (who will do numerous antisocial shifts/push themselves), and paying them as little as possible (no bonuses either). Things have changed in the last three/four years for sure.
Chimaera98 said:
Yes, it is a nightmare and according to an agent I spoke to has been the worst he has ever known it.
Companies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Sorry to hear thatCompanies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Edited by Chimaera98 on Wednesday 25th September 12:46
What are your thoughts - retrain? Pivot? Or persevere?
I’m in FS too - to be honest UK FS has been a bloated gravy train for a long time, technology is really biting now so I can see employee numbers will really drop in years to come
soad said:
Think most companies value younger staff (who will do numerous antisocial shifts/push themselves), and paying them as little as possible (no bonuses either). Things have changed in the last three/four years for sure.
This is precisely what one of my previous employers did.They stopped hiring people with 10-15 years of experience as a minimum and started hiring those in their early twenties, paying them buttons. They weren't eligible for the bonus scheme either but were still judged on their chargeable utilisation.
I have no doubt they are not alone in this.
Babber101 said:
Chimaera98 said:
Yes, it is a nightmare and according to an agent I spoke to has been the worst he has ever known it.
Companies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Sorry to hear thatCompanies are hiring younger people that fit into the culture and are cheaper. Mostly “Entry Level” Jobs.
Companies are also holding off re, the government’s WFH proposals.
I had an interview recently that on paper I should have been in a very favourable position, was the first person they interviewed, they asked hardly any questions about experience in the interview (although all seemed positive as I had received awards from them in the past)…..and I didn’t get the job.
You are up against a lot of people going for the same jobs, and then you have to consider some will also be applying via internal referral or be friends of the hiring manager.
I have applied for around 45 jobs, 3 interviews, loads of rejections, loads ignored (especially the ones applied through online agencies). Also most agencies never reply, I am in contact with three, not one has come back with a single job. One said you may be better applying directly to companies!
Financial Services - 25 years experience looking in London since beginning of the year.
Edited by Chimaera98 on Wednesday 25th September 12:46
What are your thoughts - retrain? Pivot? Or persevere?
I’m in FS too - to be honest UK FS has been a bloated gravy train for a long time, technology is really biting now so I can see employee numbers will really drop in years to come
What I think has happened, was mass hiring took place in 2022 then in 2023, when inflation/geopolitical events kicked in, employees sat tight, and companies did not hire anyone. This has sort of continued with companies looking heavily at costs, looking to this years election and what the new government does. Things may pick up in 2025, depending on the budget/taxes and if companies decide to restart some of their projects.
It is certainly demoralising when one finds securing their next role a real challenge.
But it is possible!
In summary, you have to do some keen research on roles you think you’re very suitable for and as already alluded to above, have a laser-like focus on job applications/CV, and extensive interview prep. Being flexible in terms of location, role, seniority and package will obviously widen the field.
Sometimes it also helps having some support to recharge and refocus your approach.
Good luck!
But it is possible!
In summary, you have to do some keen research on roles you think you’re very suitable for and as already alluded to above, have a laser-like focus on job applications/CV, and extensive interview prep. Being flexible in terms of location, role, seniority and package will obviously widen the field.
Sometimes it also helps having some support to recharge and refocus your approach.
Good luck!
rog007 said:
It is certainly demoralising when one finds securing their next role a real challenge.
But it is possible!
In summary, you have to do some keen research on roles you think you’re very suitable for and as already alluded to above, have a laser-like focus on job applications/CV, and extensive interview prep. Being flexible in terms of location, role, seniority and package will obviously widen the field.
Sometimes it also helps having some support to recharge and refocus your approach.
Good luck!
Good advice.But it is possible!
In summary, you have to do some keen research on roles you think you’re very suitable for and as already alluded to above, have a laser-like focus on job applications/CV, and extensive interview prep. Being flexible in terms of location, role, seniority and package will obviously widen the field.
Sometimes it also helps having some support to recharge and refocus your approach.
Good luck!
All the ones I have applied for are roles that I have done or done to a large extent or could do in the same field. A lot are probably far simpler. They are pretty much clients I worked with/for in the background for years.
The vast majority of roles are Entry Level/Junior. They automatically assume with your experience you’ll be too expensive or won’t fit in to the culture or are using it to get your foot in the door and in six months you are off to another department, so are rejected off the bat. It was even bought up in an interview “something I might want to consider.”
I expect a lot of roles may go internally or through personal recommendations.
Edited by Chimaera98 on Thursday 26th September 20:22
I’ve been looking recently, one thing I’m seeing is very slow updates, one of the jobs wants someone asap as they have a project startling the start of November but not even started interviews as yet,
Also the adverts have the usual ‘competitive’ pay, I was offered one, needed loads of experience, system mapping and implementation, 12 month contract, offered 26k, I phoned them to double check and that was right,
Also the adverts have the usual ‘competitive’ pay, I was offered one, needed loads of experience, system mapping and implementation, 12 month contract, offered 26k, I phoned them to double check and that was right,
I spotted this on Reddit on the UK jobs threads but seems I cannot share the link ( or so it seemed from my attempt just now) His journey certainly looks fatiguing.
Try again: https://www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/s/yyiw7yaOR6
A lot of adverts on boards or company career pages don't really exist.
I had a right mare trying to find an IT job (any IT job) the tail of last year, so I truly sympathize.
- Recruiters will keep jobs up to fill up their CV database with the latest info (anything older than say a month won't be flagged with a search when a new job comes in!)
- Big companies liking to make it look like they're healthy with lots of open positions, but there's been a general hiring freeze for a year
I had a right mare trying to find an IT job (any IT job) the tail of last year, so I truly sympathize.
KingGary said:
I’d not be complacent about finding a job in the civil service either. There’s lots of competition and the bar is high for the best roles. As with any interview, preparation is key, from having a concise CV that’s full of interesting experience to being able to answer any question thrown at you. Lots of cool, interesting work in the public sector, with scale beyond many in the private sector ever experience. It’s certainly not a place where careers go to die.
I went on a course specifically set up for how to apply for Civil Service roles. There is a certain way of applying; from Personal statements, strengths, behaviours, interviews & STAR method......You can be well suited, have all the right experience, but don't answer the questions how they want - so fail. And they also mentioned the opposite can happen....
At the end of last year I took voluntary redundancy from a job I had been in for 5 years. I made the decision in September and left in December. Finding a new job was a pain and was challenging.
The best one I had was getting put forward for an interview at a local company. I advised them I’ll be staying with my current employer for my redundancy money. This was all okay not an issue until they backtracked when I got offered the job. I told them no and continued on.
A lot of recruiters cannot read properly either. I’ve got my full history along with duties on there. They phone me up get my hopes up then burn it to the ground when they say “oh you don’t have this experience”. I am always polite and don’t want to burn bridges but why bother contacting me.
Luckily for I landed a job to go to when I finished with my last company. I don’t like it and have started looking but would be 10 times worse if I was looking for work whilst being unemployed
The best one I had was getting put forward for an interview at a local company. I advised them I’ll be staying with my current employer for my redundancy money. This was all okay not an issue until they backtracked when I got offered the job. I told them no and continued on.
A lot of recruiters cannot read properly either. I’ve got my full history along with duties on there. They phone me up get my hopes up then burn it to the ground when they say “oh you don’t have this experience”. I am always polite and don’t want to burn bridges but why bother contacting me.
Luckily for I landed a job to go to when I finished with my last company. I don’t like it and have started looking but would be 10 times worse if I was looking for work whilst being unemployed
Harry you Potter said:
Luckily for I landed a job to go to when I finished with my last company. I don’t like it and have started looking but would be 10 times worse if I was looking for work whilst being unemployed
When I was freelance it was always difficult to find a new role if the previous had finished. I was secretary for a sports club and in my spare time wrote I their membership database and website so when I was between roles I made that my main job and quoted my availability accordingly. To be fair I spent 100's of hours working for the sports club and I could use it to learn new technologies. I was officially never out of work.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff