Is the job market terrible at the moment or is it just me?!

Lemmings123 · 2021-08-20T14:06:08+00:00

I am struggling to keep up the positivity! I have a job in the creative field but want to move on and not get stuck in the same position for too long as it seems to go against you in my sector. I've applied for about 50 jobs or more and that's no exaggeration and not a sniff. A few years ago when I was in this position I was at least getting a few interviews. I'm losing hope now of ever finding another job!

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 20/08/2021 16:26

Don't know about yours but that's not the case in many industries at the moment. A lot of shortages.

Metabigot · 20/08/2021 16:51

For contract roles in my field I'm struggling to recruit. Permanent market not so sure

icelolly12 · 20/08/2021 16:52

A lot of fixed term contracts around, minimum wage and part time work....secure permanent well paid jobs not so much

Wheresmrpenguin · 21/08/2021 00:22

@icelolly12

A lot of fixed term contracts around, minimum wage and part time work....secure permanent well paid jobs not so much

I can't agree on the part time bit, I'm looking for part time admin, entry level roles most I'm over experienced for and really struggling.

There are quite a few contract ones which I've applied to today though, not ideal, I want permanent, but only want to work part time temporarily so will do for now.

Hoppinggreen · 21/08/2021 18:27

Not in my area (sales).
I have a job now and was approached this week about another one, plus a previous employer has asked if I might be interested in going back

louisejxxx · 21/08/2021 18:30

Not in my role (anything accounts-related)…that said, when I was made redundant last year it did astonish me how many employers literally don’t even bother to reject you on many online job sites - they just leave your application sat open. I found this a lot with Indeed in particular.

burritofan · 21/08/2021 18:30

I’m my sector there are loads of fixed-term contracts, few permanent ones. And all at salaries from 10-15 years ago with listed benefits amounting to “stuff were legally mandated to do, like statutory minimum holiday and a pension”. Oh, and “free fruit in the office you don’t actually want to come back to!!”

AlexaShutUp · 21/08/2021 18:30

I'm really struggling to recruit at the moment, despite being super flexible.

It's hard when you're job hunting and can't find anything though, OP. Have been there. Hope you find something soon.

Wheresmrpenguin · 23/08/2021 21:08

@AlexaShutUp

I'm really struggling to recruit at the moment, despite being super flexible.

It's hard when you're job hunting and can't find anything though, OP. Have been there. Hope you find something soon.

Why do you think this is? I'm getting calls from recruitment agencies, but they're always for full time roles and not part time. I wonder if more people are looking for remote roles, or after lockdown, now want to spend more time with family and less in work?

AlexaShutUp · 23/08/2021 21:24

@Wheresmrpenguin, I honestly don't know why tbh. I have never had so much difficulty recruiting before. We are ultra flexible about hours, job shares, working locations etc. The pay is not amazing but certainly not awful either. Nice working culture etc.

I know lots of other organisations that are struggling to recruit at the moment too. None of us can understand it.

I hope hope you find a job that suits you soon!

MaverickDanger · 23/08/2021 21:28

I’ve never been approached for so many roles in my life & I know our recruitment team are really struggling to bring people in fast enough.

KieraJane · 23/08/2021 21:33

Every where but MN will say its an employers market at the moment, OP. With so many companies closing / staff furloughed etc of course there's a lot of people applying for jobs.

AlexaShutUp · 23/08/2021 21:37

@KieraJane

Every where but MN will say its an employers market at the moment, OP. With so many companies closing / staff furloughed etc of course there's a lot of people applying for jobs.

That isn't true though. It isn't just on MN that the labour shortage is being discussed. There has been plenty in the media about this, actually.

Wheresmrpenguin · 24/08/2021 16:33

[quote AlexaShutUp]@Wheresmrpenguin, I honestly don't know why tbh. I have never had so much difficulty recruiting before. We are ultra flexible about hours, job shares, working locations etc. The pay is not amazing but certainly not awful either. Nice working culture etc.

I know lots of other organisations that are struggling to recruit at the moment too. None of us can understand it.

I hope hope you find a job that suits you soon![/quote]
Strange. From personal experience and from experience of friends who are also looking for jobs, we've never had to jump through so many loops during the application & interview process, it definitely feels much harder to get a job than a few years ago. I wonder if this is it?

It's quite frustrating hearing it from the other side too when myself and others are jumping and screaming at recruiters and companies saying PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE. Something isn't connecting somewhere.

AlexaShutUp · 24/08/2021 18:30

Yes, I know what you mean about jumping through hoops. I was job hunting earlier in the year and I felt that some organisations had massively overcomplicated the process - not just interviews and assessment centre type tasks but application videos and all sorts!

Our process is very straightforward though, and we're still struggling to find the right people. It's very frustrating indeed when we know that there are people out there who are desperate to find the right opportunity. I wonder if the sectors where people are looking are different from the ones where people are trying to hire?

blueshoes · 24/08/2021 18:36

Is it because the job is in the creative field? Can you say what type of job it is?

happydays2345 · 24/08/2021 18:37

Entertainment industry is thriving. Wages are up by about 30% and there are jobs everywhere (film and TV)

Wheresmrpenguin · 24/08/2021 19:29

@AlexaShutUp

Yes, I know what you mean about jumping through hoops. I was job hunting earlier in the year and I felt that some organisations had massively overcomplicated the process - not just interviews and assessment centre type tasks but application videos and all sorts!

Our process is very straightforward though, and we're still struggling to find the right people. It's very frustrating indeed when we know that there are people out there who are desperate to find the right opportunity. I wonder if the sectors where people are looking are different from the ones where people are trying to hire?

That's probably it, i'm only looking for general admin/office/business support roles that would apply to all industries but those jobs may not be needed at the moment.

KieraJane · 25/08/2021 11:49

Of course there's going to be differences in sectors

OP try this thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/work/4290627-How-do-you-keep-morale-up-when-job-hunting

workoholic · 21/09/2021 11:06

People dropping like flies in financial services - jobs everywhere

TheSpiral · 21/09/2021 11:08

@KieraJane

Every where but MN will say its an employers market at the moment, OP. With so many companies closing / staff furloughed etc of course there's a lot of people applying for jobs.

It really depends on the sector. The early years sector is on its knees at the moment - nurseries are absolutely desperate for staff.

Cailleach · 21/09/2021 11:10

In warehousing/retail/care work/hospitality/labouring they are biting your hand off. Ditto HGV drivers.

As ever it depends on the sector.

Wheresmrpenguin · 21/09/2021 11:35

@Cailleach

In warehousing/retail/care work/hospitality/labouring they are biting your hand off. Ditto HGV drivers.

As ever it depends on the sector.

And those are all jobs that don't pay enough to cover living costs and offer poor hours that don't work with real life responsibilities i'm not surprised they're in excess. If I took one of these jobs i'd wouldn't be able to pay my bills and i'd have to bring my DD to work with me.