current job market

[itwasadarkandstormy]

is it just my imagination, or is it really hard to find new jobs these days? I'm on the wrong side of 40, and I have never found finding a new job so challenging. in my 20's, if I wanted a new job, it would take about 3 weeks to find a new one and then I would give notice. now, I would say the process takes about 6 months - if you are lucky! I always believed that there was always work for good people, but nowadays the whole process is so demoralising.
AIBU to think this - or is it just me?

Some ads are a joke.
Trainee xxx manager - must have 3 years experience in xxx manager post.

That ain't a trainee....

Depends very much on your location and field of work.

My better half gets three or four calls a week from recruiters, I have no idea how I would find another job without changing field or moving to another part of the country.

it's a good point about location and type of job - but it just seems to me that the process is more challenging. are there less jobs, more candidates. I can give the blood they are requiring, tick many boxes etc. it seems to me recruiters want to collect cv's to have a large database, but don't actually dip into that very often!
I think its particularly hard for those on UC that need to get back into the job market too

We were talking this, but at a much more basic level, the need for 'a piece of paper' which in reality are there for schools and colleges to 'prove' they have taught something. There are some bizarre courses out there that evolve as NVQs etc and really aren't needed to be able to do the jobs. eg 'Small Animal Husbandry' - translation - how to clean out your guinea pig and give your rabbit fresh water - it is a Level 1 course, the equivalency of a E,F,G at GCSE, it not ever going to lead to anything.

When did you ever ask a trade if he has an NVQ, a City & Guilds, in plastering or bricklaying or carpentry? you don't, it's a word of mouth recommendation.

This also goes for a lot of office jobs these days. Once upon a time the post room was staffed by individuals with additional needs, a slower processing disorder, and a bloody good job they did too, methodical and faultless. Now the powers that be have decided new recruits need a L3 NVQ in Business Studies. Seriously? for franking mail, sorting into pigeon holes and doing odd jobs - Im not being dismissive - but the post room simply does not need A Level equivalents.

We were talking this, but at a much more basic level, the need for 'a piece of paper' which in reality are there for schools and colleges to 'prove' they have taught something. There are some bizarre courses out there that evolve as NVQs etc and really aren't needed to be able to do the jobs. eg 'Small Animal Husbandry' - translation - how to clean out your guinea pig and give your rabbit fresh water - it is a Level 1 course, the equivalency of a E,F,G at GCSE, it not ever going to lead to anything.

When did you ever ask a trade if he has an NVQ, a City & Guilds, in plastering or bricklaying or carpentry? you don't, it's a word of mouth recommendation.

This also goes for a lot of office jobs these days. Once upon a time the post room was staffed by individuals with additional needs, a slower processing disorder, and a bloody good job they did too, methodical and faultless. Now the powers that be have decided new recruits need a L3 NVQ in Business Studies. Seriously? for franking mail, sorting into pigeon holes and doing odd jobs - Im not being dismissive - but the post room simply does not need A Level equivalents.

For the better half the last two job hunts have only taken days, but that is for a field with a fairly significant shortage of people. For jobs that don’t need specific skills I agree that means of reducing the pile of cvs to read like needing bits of irrelevant paperwork do seem to be more common.

agree about the level of paperwork needed - but also about the seriousness of it all. the best jobs I've ever had have been through people I know ringing me up. actually, definitely the best jobs have been through people I know...

Hmm ok this is interesting to hear .

I feel like the job market never really recovered from the last recession.
I remember pre recession picking up the local paper looking for jobs or applying online to agencies and I'd get a callback the next day.
I'm 34 now but back then straight out of university with little to no experience I didnt have an issue being able to get a job.

Job hunting like the OP says would take weeks now it appears things have changed .

yes. the Evening Standard was my friend!

thanks for the replies