Is the job market tough or am I just useless?

Correct. (I've recruited for pretty much every Trust in the country over the years in England and Wales). They have to go outside to ensure that all possible options are considered therefore optimising the process and giving them the best chance of the best candidate. Internals and externals apply through the same route and the best candidate gets the job.

Internal candidates do have a massive advantage but it doesn't mean they are nailed on to get the job. If there are stronger candidates out there, they will be appointed. It's the insinuation that companies are wasting people's time that galls me. It simply isn't true. If you're better than the internal, you'll get the job, if you're not, you won't.

Because my organisation has to go external no matter what - NHS.

I don't know, our team in a massive organisation recently had a vacancy.
We advertised externally and had some internal applicants who we don't know personally but the fact they are already in our (painfully slow) HR and IT systems gave their application a massive advantage.

I work alongside HR and the recruitment agencies. AI is increasingly being used to do a first scan of the applications but I don't know any company that wouldn't look at every single CV to be sure. AI speeds things up as it will identify the candidatez that do or dont match. This means you can quickly scan the 'rejects' to verify it. AI is nowhere near developed enough to make final decisions on humans. Recruiters know this.

That's simply not true. If there's an internal candidate that is potentially a fit for the role, the Recruitment process is run to find out if there's anyone better out there. Why would they waste time and money on interviewing if they were not going to give you genuine consideration? Accept it, you just weren't as good as the internal.

Same way they think offshoring is a good idea. They prioritise cost over value.

It’s so awful. Full of bots. Nightmare for recruiters but also genuine applicants are hidden in hundreds of nonsense applications. Where I have been interviewed each time I get “we were really impressed… you’re such a strong candidate… you were very close second (the the internal applicant who they knew all along would get it)”. It’s such a waste of everyone’s time, exhausting and emotionally damaging.

Is there anyone you know who could vouch for you/refer you within their company? Have you said that you're open to work on Linkedin?

I’ve applied for more than 20 jobs in the last year. Barely invited to interview for them, even ones I think are completely nailed on with very relevant experience.

I spend ages tailoring each application and researching. Need to get more money before I lose my house next year due to much bigger mortgage payments and a separation.

I can only assume the job market is woeful. Otherwise im toast!

I hope something turns up for you. I have found asking clever friends for advice helps with reviewing my applications. I could do with more networking but hard to find the time.

Indeed they do - it's so odd that companies are using this as a recruitment method. I can't fathom why thy think it's a good idea.

The way that applications are handled, now, they often go into a ‘bin’ before any real person gets a chance to read it.

I highly doubt you’re useless. What kind of industry/jobs are you applying for? Are you pointing out your transferable skills? Is it work you’ve done before?

yeah its gone really weird. It's all AI and Robots now.

I'm not sure that companies understand how useless this process is to be honest.