This week’s post is a little different. For all you job seekers out there who feel discouraged by the current job market, I want to acknowledge your struggle. I would say this is the toughest I have seen the job market in a long time. We enjoyed a scorching hot job market for the past couple of years, and now that it’s leveled off, it’s noticeably harder to find a new job.
Unemployment is low and so is the quit rate, which means there just aren’t a lot of roles
available right now. In addition, most job seekers need professional positions that fit specific skills, and that is a real challenge now.
I recently met with multiple clients who have been actively seeking employment since November. Typically, as a career coach, I would explore 1-2 resource sites to find suitable roles for my clients. However, this week required me to scour through 5-10 different platforms and get creative to identify even a handful of good-fit roles. They were all extremely discouraged, and I don’t blame them. It’s completely normal to feel that way. Just know that if you’re experiencing this, you are not alone!
It's like we've entered a job-seeking maze where the usual routes have vanished, and everyone's feeling a bit lost. Job scarcity, fierce competition – it's a tough gig out there. When I talk to people who are actively job hunting, I sense this collective vibe of frustration and discouragement. It's a jungle, but guess what? We can navigate it together.
Despite the frustration, there are a few things that I see happening in the market that are encouraging:
1. Job seekers appear to be more attuned to their talents, skill sets, and areas of expertise. While the job search may take longer, this self-awareness could lead to greater job satisfaction in their eventual new roles. This not only benefits the job seekers but also adds value to the companies hiring them.
2. Job postings are noticeably clearer and more direct than they used to be. Kudos to recruiting teams for providing detailed explanations of what candidates can expect when they are hired. Unlike the vague and generic postings of the past, these clear job descriptions help candidates apply for positions that align with their skills and aspirations, which results in better matches between employees and employers.
3. Job seekers are proactively compiling strategic lists of companies they are interested in and regularly checking their websites for available roles. As a result, I recommend applying directly on a target company's website. If you see a job on your target company’s website, the most efficient approach is to apply directly to them via the website. This approach ensures more engaged and timely applications, and it creates a mutually beneficial situation for the job seekers and companies.
To all the job candidates out there, please know that you're not alone in facing these challenges. It’s tough right now, but every step you take towards securing your future deserves acknowledgment and pride. Regardless of the obstacles, there are positive shifts happening, and your perseverance will undoubtedly pay off.
Despite the challenges, there's a silver lining that deserves a spotlight. Yes, it's tough out there – jobs are playing hide-and-seek, and the competition is fierce. But think about it this way: amid the chaos, you are discovering an incredible depth of self-awareness during your job search. You’re digging deep into their talents, skill sets, and areas of expertise. Yes, the search might take a bit longer than you expected (and longer than it did in the past couple of years), but this newfound self-awareness promises a future where you can find genuine fulfillment when you do find that new job. It's a win-win scenario – not just for the job seekers who are resiliently navigating this terrain, but also for the companies lucky enough to have these passionate professionals join their ranks.
Your journey might have a few bumps, but you’ll get there! Here’s the thing: even though it’s difficult and discouraging, you are out there taking action for yourself, and you should be proud of that! Hang in there, and if you need extra support, you know where to find us!
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