To say the job market is nowhere near as bad as people predicted?

[HazelNutHotChocolate]

Most people I know who got made redundant have found new jobs and I am seeing a lot of job openings.
Aibu to say that we all have reasons to be optimistic?

The test will be when the Furlough scheme ends.

I agree, DH had a short contract, then was offered a new job but he wasn’t really enjoying it so kept looking and now has another job, the job situation doesn’t seem that bad from our perspective.

It has changed massively since last year. I was job hunting from last July to November during which time I applied for 135 jobs. 60% of those never replied to me.

I'm getting actively phoned about / headhunted for jobs now even though I'm working and not looking.

I think it depends what job you're looking for. In my area, the job market is dire, and it's shrunk unimaginably since I started training. I started applying for jobs in 2014; I've interviewed many times and been told there's nothing wrong with me or my CV, there are just too many candidates for the few permanent jobs. Usually there are between 2 and 5 jobs a year, in the UK. My colleague says that in 2018, there were 200 people applying for the job she got; now it is closer to 600.

We're finding that trying to employ skilled craftsmen at the moment is like pulling hens teeth.

I've been advertising one role for nearly 3 months which is unheard of in our trade, which is fairly bouyant locally.

Gosh @SarahAndQuack that sounds so tough - curious what do you do and where? When you say you've been applying since 2014 - I assume you mean that's when you first entered the job market? You haven't been unsuccessfully applying since 2014?

I agree that when furlough ends there will be a big shake-up of the job market. The highest rate of bankruptcies was in the first quarter of 2020 - that was before the first lockdown hit. Suddenly bankruptcy rates plummeted in April that year and have stayed low - in December 2020 debt relief orders were 40% lower and compulsory liquidations 80% lower than the previous year - which I think indicates there are a lot of companies which would have gone bust that year but were artificially kept going thanks to the furlough scheme.

There are thousands of jobs in the hospitality industry because those who couldn’t work when pubs and restaurants were close have found work elsewhere. Royal Mail sorting offices and the NHS desperately need hospital helpers/bedmakers etc are crying out for people

@Xiaoxiong

Gosh *@SarahAndQuack* that sounds so tough - curious what do you do and where? When you say you've been applying since 2014 - I assume you mean that's when you first entered the job market? You haven't been unsuccessfully applying since 2014?

I agree that when furlough ends there will be a big shake-up of the job market. The highest rate of bankruptcies was in the first quarter of 2020 - that was before the first lockdown hit. Suddenly bankruptcy rates plummeted in April that year and have stayed low - in December 2020 debt relief orders were 40% lower and compulsory liquidations 80% lower than the previous year - which I think indicates there are a lot of companies which would have gone bust that year but were artificially kept going thanks to the furlough scheme.

I'm stupid enough to be an English Lit/History academic. I finished my PhD in 2014; I've had short-term contracts since then (some of my students have graduated from their own PhDs now; I've taught whole cohorts of Masters students and undergrads who are doing amazing things). But I've been unsuccessfully applying for permanent jobs since 2014. This is not at all unusual in my field.

What a ridiculous statement - it is way, way too early to comment. Unbelievable.

Honestly I think it really does depend on the area and sector. I know a few teenagers who’ve walked into hospitality jobs since leaving school a matter of weeks ago.

There are tons of jobs in hospitality.
We are massively short of skilled trades where I live and have been for years - you wait 6 months just for a painter decorator. Most of the plumbers and electricians are older men, it's going to be a disaster when they all start retiring!

Pay in these in demand areas will rise

Not as bad yet. Come back in the winter and let's see.

I'm very sorry sarahandquack but arts PhDs have very little job value in the uk, and there are few academic jobs. Did you consider the job prospects at all before doing it?

Even in arts related jobs (I've got a few friends in publishing) they hire graduates and won't offer more for a PhD.

There is a huge glut of vacancies in low paid poor working condition sectors - fruit pickers, hospitality, delivery drivers etc. Not so many if you want a well paid job with career progression.

Locally the job market is dire. Never known it like it is now. I was made redundant and managed to get another role but it was always a stop gap just to keep a roof over our heads. Now I am struggling to get anything more suited.

Yes I keep seeing jobs in spotted Facebook no sign of economy in trouble at all.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

I'm very sorry sarahandquack but arts PhDs have very little job value in the uk, and there are few academic jobs. Did you consider the job prospects at all before doing it?

Even in arts related jobs (I've got a few friends in publishing) they hire graduates and won't offer more for a PhD.

No shit, Sherlock.

And yes, I did. Back when I started, English was one of the most common A Levels and there were an awful lot more jobs for PhDs. It's shrunk massively in recent years. I'm the generation who got caught in the first recession, basically. I do wish I'd had a crystal ball to tell me, but there we go.

Wage inflation is rampant last year lucky to get a job over 70k this year plenty of discussion about 90-110k in software development.

We are trying to recruit at work and finding it really hard. Two applications for five roles that have been advertised for the last six months. All require skills and experience though, but people are not keen to move at the moment. We did make some low skilled roles redundant though.

My husband is on furlough despite being in a hard to recruit for job purely because they can't get materials. He is looking for work because they seem to be the only business in that industry locally that has entirely stopped and been offered more pay but would have to travel which wipes out the additional cash. Assuming he goes back next week he may settle for staying where he is. His age counts against him despite the fact that being in a skilled trade and being older means he got a proper apprenticeship when younger and can do more than many without that kind of education.

However, that is just two industries and there are so many that have been so much more badly affected.