Is it me or does the job market totally suck right now?

[MakewayforNoddy]

Have been in continuous employment (apart from mat leave) for well over 20 years. For the first time ever I am on a fixed term contract due to end in March. Have been busy applying for jobs but am finding: 1. There really isn't much to apply for 2. Salaries are LOW, am looking at jobs at least 5k below what I was earning before, plus most things are ftc for 6 months or a year and 3. Employer expectations - I mean you have to be superwoman/utterly bloody amazing to meet all the criteria on person specs.

I am getting interviews so my application technique must be ok. But no job offers yet. Anyone else finding it really tough right now? I am finding it very dispiriting I must say. Each application takes about 8-10 hours to do properly, prep for interview about another 8-10 hours, plus another day taking time off work/travelling to interview/interview itself. And then it all feels like a colossal waste of time when job not offered. I don't remember it being this hard.

What do you do?

Communications/editorial work. It is tricky field with employers wanting digital skills as well as marketing qualifications now, plus tons of experience/subject specialist too. Sigh.

There's so much competition. It's tough going! Be pleased you've got interviews that's brilliant in this jobs market.

Ah okay. Yes, it is ridiculous and salaries have stagnated. Just keep plugging away the right thing will come up.

I agree that a much higher proportion and of advertised jobs seem to be fixed term contracts.

I'm an editor too and think the job market is really picking up here (Scotland).

I rattle off a job application in an hour. What are you doing?

But I agree that salaries are rubbish.

I'd love to manage an application in an hour! Mine take hours even with cutting and pasting bits I've used before. It's all the tailoring needed, plus showing how you meet the particular organisation's values. And then I usually sleep on it and tweak it the next day, and then give it a final proofread.... I haven't actually timed myself doing one but it certainly feels like 8 hours.

Good to hear market picking up in Scotland though. I am looking at jobs in London.

I agree that there are a lot more ftc than there used to be and wages are stagnant. It's the law of supply and demand very much in evidence. Ive lived through two other job recessions and this one is far, far worse than the others. I live in hope that things will eventually get better but I'll probably be a pensioner by then ☹️

I'm in the same sector (well, marketing) and agree it's pants but has been rubbish when I was looking at the same time last year.

I'm also on a contract ending April and been keeping my eye peeled. This time though I'm more selective because of personal reasons and have seen not seen even one role I could or would want to apply for.

Not to mention the rubbish salaries although I'm less bothered by that because I think employers will increase offers to match my current salary if they'll wish to employ me. If not, well, I do value my skills and experience so will keep looking.

I am in accountancy and agree wages are rubbish at the moment.