Is the job market for senior managers tough right now?

[Lalalul]

I unfortunately lost my job whilst pregnant. Now a year on I’m looking for my next role. Wanting to take a step down as I have a family now. I applied for roles at this level 6 years ago, got the first job I applied for. I’ve now been applying for roles daily for 2 months and all I’ve had is 2 recruiter calls with roles offering lower salaries than the job I was offered 5 years ago. I’ve been rejected from many roles that I am more than qualified for - tick every must have skill, without even a recruiter call. What’s going on? I’ve had my CV reviewed by a business coach and someone who specialises in improving CVs. Is the market tough right now or am I doing something wrong? It’s really getting me down. Any insights would be appreciated. I’m also seeing roles I’ve applied for and rejected for being re-released! Should I tone down my CV so I don’t seem as senior as I was previously (as I’m applying for a lower level role), or should I make it clear in my CV that I want to get back into a hands on role? Thank you

I’m also a senior manager. Happy to look over your CV.

however in my opinion, I don’t think companies want to outright hire external senior managers and prefer them to work their way up the company ie to minimise risk

It's pretty grim out there. I'm struggling to get interviews when I've previously worked at mid-senior level. This is even with a 20% pay cut factored in.

I think I'll just have to take whatever I can get, that's if anyone will have me. Buckling up for a bumpy ride.

it feels that way. I’ve applied for numerous roles, only things I am very well qualified for. I’ve got down to two final interviews but “just lost out”. Many roles I’ve applied for I’ve not even got to first interview. I do all the right things - reach out in advance, chat to recruiting managers at the company, do my homework on them to no avail. I’ve been told a couple of times they had around 50 applications per role.

at the moment, I’m doing interim work until I find something new, it’s a lower role than I want to be doing but the pay is great

I was doing the interim thing too @MrsMickey only the job despite being well paid was extremely basic and as a result I have nothing to show for it at interview ( have to seriously blag it!) and I'm rusty as he'll.

It's difficult as by taking any old temp job to keep the money rolling in it solves a short term problem but in my experience creates a longer term one as it devalues my CV. But what are we supposed to live on, air?

The permanent job market is massively down at the moment due to companies reluctant to take less risk, and this is especially worse worth senior positions due to the costs.

I agree with previous poster that you may need to look at temporary/contract work.

Salaries in some sectors have gone up, but actually due to cost cutting I've also seen cuts.

I'm a recruitment manager who hires for senior people and worried about my own job now, it's dire trying to get people in.

Are you happy to share what industry you work in?