Why Can Finding a Job Be Difficult?
Finding a new job isn’t always easy. It can be a time consuming and stressful process, especially when you don’t have anyone to help you. Using a recruitment agency like Pineapple Recruitment can therefore save you a lot of hassle, but why is it becoming more challenging to find a new job?
There’s no simple answer to this question, as there are a lot of reasons as to why the job market can be treacherous. To help you understand it a bit better though, we’ve looked at seven key reasons finding a new job can be difficult below. We’ve also explored ways to overcome these issues, so that you can hopefully find the job of your dreams!
1. Companies Have Unrealistic Expectations
While it’s not that common, some businesses do list a whole host of requirements and specifications on their job ads, expecting you to meet a huge amount of criteria. And half the time, the role won’t be offering much more than minimum wage! Essentially, there are companies out there that have completely unrealistic expectations about the type of person they’re hoping to employ.
The best way to overcome this problem is to apply for the role, regardless of whether you meet every single requirement. Then, once the business realises that they are asking too much of the candidates, they will start looking at applicants who meet the majority of the criteria. You could be the person most qualified for the job, even if you don’t have all the desired skill sets.
2. Competition is Fierce
There are a lot of people across the UK looking for work. And when there is a lot of competition, it can be difficult to get a job. Employers can afford to be more picky, and may not offer a particularly great wage.
So how do you overcome a saturated market? Basically, you have to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Ensure that you create a bespoke cover letter and CV for each application, take courses and develop your skills, and get glowing referrals from other people. You don’t want your application to be overlooked, so set yourself apart from the competition.
It can also be a good idea to apply for jobs in person, as well as online. Try going door to door with local businesses, introducing yourself and asking whether the company is hiring. You may be surprised by how many organisations appreciate the fact that you’ve taken the initiative to speak with them directly.
3. You’re Not Tailoring Your Application
A common reason why people aren’t offered a job interview is because their application is too generic. It’s much quicker just to send out hundreds of CVs and cover letters, and can help you feel productive. Unfortunately, submitting applications in bulk rarely leads to a successful outcome.
The simple solution to this is tailoring your cover letter and CV to every job you apply for. You won’t have to change the whole thing, just make sure you’re referring back to the job description the business has posted in the ad.
4. You’re Not Networking
A surprising amount of jobs aren’t even advertised. Instead, the roles are offered to people recommended by current employees. A referral is usually considered to be a better option for employers, as someone within the business is vouching for the individual. This means that in order to get certain positions, you need to start networking.
Networking these days isn’t just about attending industry events, though that can be a good idea. You also need to speak to friends and family about their workplace, asking whether the business is hiring. You should additionally use platforms such as LinkedIn and other social media channels to connect with people in your industry.
5. You’re Not Applying for the Right Role
There’s a chance that you’re not applying for the right jobs. You might not meet the requirements, such as having the relevant education, training, or job experience. Or perhaps you’re applying for roles in another industry. For example, if your background is in sales, you may not get an interview for a software developer position.
You may be trying to change careers, in which case you might need to apply for entry level positions, rather than ones that require a bit more experience. This does come with the downside of being paid a lower salary though. You may instead wish to consider building up your skills through training, while staying in employment. Then, once you’ve gained the required skills, you can apply for a job in your new chosen career.
And if you aren’t trying to change career, but simply don’t have the right qualifications or enough experience, the solution is obvious. Start taking courses that will provide you with the relevant certification, and try to get more work experience, through apprenticeships, volunteer roles and internships.
6. Your CV Isn’t Looked At
Some businesses get so many job applications for one role, they’re forced to use filtering software to narrow down the result. This is sometimes referred to as ATS (Application Tracking System) software, which automatically removes CVs from the candidate pool that don’t include particular keywords. Your CV could be dismissed before it’s even looked at by the hiring manager.
In order to get around a possible filtering system, it’s important to use lots of the keywords you find in the job description. For example, if the ad lists outstanding written and verbal communication skills under the requirements, make sure you include this phrase in your application. Of course, you can’t simply copy and paste all of the ad criteria into your CV, but it’s sensible to include several key words and phrases.
7. You Find Interviews Stressful
Another issue facing candidates on the job market is the interview itself. Once you’ve got through the initial stage of the application process, you then have to prepare for the interview. Part of this might be overcoming your nervousness – job interviews are challenging for the majority of people, as there is a lot riding on the outcome.
Overall, when you’re nervous, you may not perform particularly well in an interview setting. And while interviewers will account for some level of nervousness, they can’t assess your skills and qualifications if you’re too anxious to tell them about yourself.
To overcome at least some of your nerves, the best thing you can do is thoroughly prepare for the interview. Read all about the company on their website, and see if you can find any key employees on platforms like LinkedIn. You should also run through lots of practice interview questions, so that you’ll have answers prepared for common questions. The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to panic!