A job is posted and within an hour there are 43 applicants, after a day, more than 100. A call I had with a recruiter said there were 90 applicants and she was only speaking to 5. I’m yet to get past the recruiter stage, which is a wake up call to how lucky I was to get my Product Management role at Optus. In the past, my lack of specific domain knowledge wouldn’t be a barrier to a role but with the high quality and number of candidates out there at the moment, I’m regretting spreading myself thin across industries and roles. In the past, I could easily walk into a Senior PO role, granted that would be in London but I hear the same problems are happening over there too. There aren’t many roles and redundancies have flooded the market with highly skilled people.
I wonder also if my game has dropped in knowing the right things to say. So far the feedback is “Very strong PM skills but not the domain knowledge we are after/there was another candidate with a slightly better fit skillswise.”
Granted I am going for those senior roles with organisations I feel I could stay with for a few years and as I was reminded at the start of this hunt, the more senior you are, the longer it takes to find the fit. I’m fortunate that I have a few months of savings under my belt but I would love to avoid eating it away. Wouldn’t we all?
In an attempt not to spiral I headed down to Ocean Grove today to work with the below view. It definitely cleared my head and reminded me to try and enjoy the time I have now.
Having said that, I’d like that time to be as short as possible so I could use some advice from my LinkedIn community in the form of responses to the below Qs:
– Do personalised cover letters make a difference?
– Do you always put a cover letter, even if it’s a general one? If so, what do you put in there that’s different to your CV?
– When applying at big organisations, how do you get yourself noticed?
– If you’re a recruiter and someone attached their first imagined 30-90s days in the role, would that make any difference to you?
– What gets a CV noticed?
– When speaking with a recruiter what are some things you WOULDN’T ask/say
– Any other advice?
If you’ve made it this far, thank you and if you comment and answer, thank you even more! And finally good luck to all the job hunters out there and may the odds be ever in our favour!
– Tina Spencer
Digital Product Manager
Optus
In today’s fast-paced, competitive job market, the journey of a job hunter can be incredibly challenging. The landscape has shifted over the past few years, influenced by economic changes, technological advancements, and shifts in work culture.
The search for employment is intense and relentless. Despite the ease of obtaining an education, landing a job remains a significant challenge. This shift has led to skills being valued more highly than formal education. Recruiters now seek candidates with practical skills over traditional academic qualifications, aiming to find the perfect fit among the sea of applicants.
In today’s job market, securing employment can feel like an uphill battle. Several factors contribute to the difficulty of landing a job, and understanding these can help job seekers navigate the landscape more effectively.
1. High Competition
The job market is saturated with candidates, including fresh graduates, mid-career professionals, and those affected by layoffs. The ease of applying online means each job posting receives a large number of applications, making it harder for any single candidate to stand out.
2. Increased Employer Expectations
Employers now seek candidates who not only meet the basic job requirements but also bring additional skills and experience to the table. They often look for specialized expertise, advanced technical skills, and a strong cultural fit, raising the bar for applicants.
3. Technological Advancements
The rise of automation and artificial intelligence has transformed many industries, changing the skills required for various roles. Job seekers need to continuously update their skills to keep pace with technological changes. Additionally, applicant tracking systems (ATS) screen resumes, which means candidates must optimize their applications with the right keywords to pass the initial filters.
4. Economic Uncertainty
Global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have created economic instability, leading to hiring freezes and increased layoffs in many sectors. This economic uncertainty makes companies more cautious in their hiring decisions, often extending the hiring process and reducing the number of open positions.
5. Shift in Job Market Dynamics
There is a growing preference for contract, freelance, and gig work over traditional full-time positions. While this offers flexibility for some, it also means fewer stable, long-term job opportunities. Job seekers may find it challenging to secure permanent roles with benefits and job security.
Many job opportunities are filled through referrals and internal networks before they are even advertised. This makes networking a crucial component of the job search process. Candidates without strong professional networks may find it more difficult to uncover hidden job opportunities.
The ability to work remotely has expanded the talent pool globally, increasing competition as candidates from different regions and countries vie for the same positions. This globalization means job seekers are competing on an international scale, not just within their local job markets.
The challenges of today’s job market are multifaceted, with high competition, elevated employer expectations, technological changes, economic uncertainties, shifts in job market dynamics, the importance of networking, and globalization all playing significant roles. Job seekers need to adapt by continuously upgrading their skills, building strong professional networks, and staying resilient in the face of these challenges. While the job search may be tough, understanding these factors can help candidates develop effective strategies to stand out and secure employment.