To think that getting a new job is no longer a numbers game in this market?

[ThatTipsyMaker]

Back in the day, the advice was always “apply to more and something will eventually land.” But the job market now feels completely different - more competitive, more algorithm-driven, more emotionally draining.

I’ve spoken to people who’ve applied to hundreds of roles and still got nowhere, even with decent experience. It feels like a game of luck, timing and who knows who, not effort.

So AIBU to think that quantity isn’t the trick anymore? Or am I just burned out and overthinking it?

The initial selection is done by A.I now. So unless your application hits all the trigger points the algorithm is looking for, you wont get past the application stage.

Once the new "Workers Rights Bill" is passed, you can pretty much forget ever getting a job. No employer will risk hiring anyone new. They will reallocate roles internally, or run the company into the ground, before they can take the risk of hiring someone new.

Of course it’s a numbers game

Don’t be ridiculous

Sorry, what’s about this Workers bill?

OP, I’ve been unemployed for more than a year. Always loosing out to someone in the final round. Some months without a single interview. Some people ghosting after receiving my CV. And 100s of applications without even an acknowledgment.

I have cried for hours. I have done 40 interviews!! Haven’t got a clue on what to do.

We don’t use AI to sift in my company but many applicants do so the number of applications has increased meaning it can be harder to discern decent candidates. I don’t think an ‘apply for everything vaguely suitable’ strategy is good for companies or jobseekers but it feels like that’s where we are. And the talent pool has now increased around cities due to hybrid working. More people are open to a long commute if it’s only once or twice a week. So again, more competition for vacancies.

I've just been involved in some interviewing at my work and we're getting loads more applications than we used to. Like double the number we got for very similar posts a year or two ago. And, if I'm honest, a really solid proportion of the applicants look capable of doing the job. It's really tough out there at the moment and you have my sympathy. It probably doesn't help, but from the other side of the interview table I can tell you we do take it really seriously and give everyone as fair a chance as possible.

I think you might be right in that, if you're applying for fewer jobs you might be giving those job applications more attention. Are you getting interviews? If not I'd really recommend making doubly sure you're hitting all the requirements, essential as well as desirable.

I don't know of its the same everywhere but at my arms length government body we score on every requirement. If you're really explicit about how you hit every single point of the criteria you make it way easier for us to give you a better score for it. Even if you don't quite hit everything, think about how you might be able to and include it. Think of it like an exam where every mark counts: Can't quite remember how to use a maths theorem? Bang down what you do remember and you might get a mark or two. Same with the application. No experience of the coding language they want but have just started an online course - stick it down (start a course that evening if you have to). The aim here is to get a high enough mark to get through to the interview stage.

For interview, really practice answers to common questions (Google is your friend here) as well as the sort of areas you're likely to get questions on and what you think are your selling points. And do this out loud, preferably with someone who can give feedback. Try to keep your responses clear and fairly succinct. Write down what you decide to say then it's easier to crib again the night before.

Best of luck!

the large number of applications is chat gpt induced.

Probably. We still have to read and score them all though!

I recruit to mid level and admin level positions in a local authority. AI is not used in any way.

Traditional shortlisting of applications against person spec by 2 managers and then interviews.

My DP works as an operations manager in a totally different field and he is the same, except they would take CVs rather than applications.

I would imagine your are only talking about corporate giants where you have to get past AI etc first.

You clearly don't work in recruitment or managment . . .

Look it up.

Basically, it will make it virtually impossible to fire an underperforming employee. And from day one, all new hires will have full rights, including unfair dismissal.

It makes hiring someone new a huge risk.

There's a lot more to it, however, it's going to do to the job market what the "Renters Rights Bill" has done to the rental market.

I’m definitely seeing more applications when recruiting (80 for the last junior role). I’m not getting 80 good applicants. After I’ve discounted the AI written ones (not those that used AI and tailored appropriately, just the ones that added nothing to the AI output), the people who currently live abroad and need a visa (which they wouldn’t get for that role), and those who are not qualified by the spec, I was left with about 10 I thought could do the role.

10 is still a lot - it’s more than I’d have had in the same position a year or two ago. I employed someone who’d been made redundant about 18 months ago.

Keep trying, OP. It’s so difficult, but you will get there eventually. As an employing manager, I have significant time and respect for anyone who has taken any role whilst looking for something more suitable.

Good luck.