Does your recent experience suggest that the job market in 2025 and 2026 has undergone significant changes? If so, you are not alone. You may have been submitting resumes to 100s of employers with only one or two interviews. You have tried different resumes, including those professionally written. And still no job.
The only question to answer is why?
First of all there are still jobs out there, if you want them. The trades (such as electrical engineers, plumbers, and woodworkers) have numerous vacancies. Healthcare, particularly nursing, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, too.
The primary challenge in securing one of these jobs is the lengthy lead time required for education and qualifications to enter the profession. And that some of these jobs will not seem attractive to many job seekers, let alone the training and certification costs.
However, the choice is obviously limited to jobs that have vacancies! Jobs in other professions are usually much more limited, with huge numbers of candidates chasing intermittent vacancies.
So what do you do?
Action # 1: Don’t stop applying.
Researching job boards, companies, tailoring your resume, writing a cover letter, and following up can be challenging and, frankly, tedious work. It’s easy to get demotivated. But the second you stop, you know for sure you won’t get a job.
Make sure you follow good advice on what a resume really needs to contain, and ignore the folklore myths (such as a paragraph of keywords to “fool” the applicant tracking system). Focus on content that effectively represents your career achievements. And always be totally honest; no embellishment.
Consider making more radical changes to your resume and cover letter after a period of unsuccessful job applications. However, please note that each job you apply to requires a resume tailored to the specific position anyway.
Action # 2: Consider a career change.
So if you are in a break in your employment, is there a job you have always wanted to do, but for which you have never had the opportunity? Perhaps you have had a high-pressure job with a poor work/life balance. Consider a full- or part-time job that may not pay as much as your previous position. You may even enjoy the lifestyle that comes with it.
And how about becoming your own internet business? There are websites where you can advertise the work you can do, including the training you can offer.
Action # 3: Build a portfolio of your work.
If you can make time, consider building a portfolio of your work that showcases your capabilities. Don’t forget you must not include any information from your previous employers, but you can certainly use what you have learned from your past career experiences. When you do get an interview, your portfolio will differentiate you from the other candidates. How many candidates are likely to have a portfolio after all?
Action # 4: Learn a new skill.
Is there something you have always wanted to learn? Something that will help you gain a job and demonstrate a new skill?
Take a look at this article for suggestions of skills that are important in the new job market.
Action # 5: Volunteer
To stay engaged and learn new skills, consider volunteering. Charities and some not-for-profit organizations will be glad of your services and will usually be happy to provide a reference.
Summary
The approach to job hunting is challenging in the current job market. The approach that is right for you will depend on whether you are still employed or if you are currently out of work.
Here we made some suggestions. Do you have more? What do you think of this list?
Please comment below. Thanks.