Its tough out there for job seekers at the moment. In the market research and consumer insights industry we’ve seen one of the quietest first quarters for quite some years, a combination of factors – not least global politics – likely contributing. A time of year that is usually the busiest has seen fewer vacancies and less flexibility, making the job-seeking process significantly more challenging.

As well as a downturn in vacancy postings, job-seekers are finding it harder to get shortlisted for  interview and ultimately receive a job offer – all the natural result of companies receiving huge responses from their job adverts. Companies are able to stick more tightly to their person specifications in a client-led market. Of course this is particularly disheartening for job seekers who are currently unemployed.

·       Don’t take it personally

Try not to over-analyse. It's useful to reflect on your CV, application or interview but obsessing about it isn’t helpful. Lots of exceptional candidates are finding the job market tough at the moment and it's important to remember that there are many external factors that influence a hirer’s shortlisting and hiring decisions.

·       Focus on what you achieved in each process

Tweaks to the formatting or wording of your CV, successfully answering a novel and tricky question, making it to a final stage interview: these are all things to be positive about and build upon during each interview process.

·       Take on board constructive feedback

A well-run interview process will provide feedback to candidates who interviewed but were unsuccessful. When this is communicated properly and professionally, it can be valuable. Sometimes the feedback is simply that another candidate in the process demonstrated experience more closely aligned to the vacancy, and there’s not much you can do about that. However, any pieces of substantive feedback on communication style, ability to answer competency-based questions or presentation style can be used to improve your chances in the future.

·       Be flexible and keep an open mind

Often unspoken is the impact of demonstrable flexibility on the part of a job seeker; removing barriers can only help with job applications. Doing your homework on companies and job roles whilst approaching them with an open mind might lead you to  discover the opportunity is actually of real interest to you, whilst showing a prospective employer that you’ve researched them thoroughly reflects well on you. Be mindful about how you communicate with interviewers when in a competitive jobs market - some lines of questioning and/or raising your own needs too far, could go against you.

For more support in your job search, take a look at how to write a good CV and tips and advice for first interviews.

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