Just last week this blog would have been worded quite differently, but being totally honest, since the COVID restrictions were re-introduced and the news of the new variant, it is now more difficult to predict what will happen to the job market.

We have seen before with previous restrictions that companies tend to slow down their recruitment process. However, as a recruitment agency, we are continuing to source and place candidates into roles across Oxfordshire and on a pre-pandemic scale. Recruitment has become harder; it would be naïve to say our job has been easy the past 21 months but, it has not been impossible – there are jobs out there!

I am unemployed, I need a job!

If you fall under this category, my first bit of advice would be to simply look! As mentioned in my previous blog, the number of job vacancies in the UK reached a record high of 1.1 million in the three months to September 2021, over half a million more vacancies when compared with the same period in 2020 (Statista) ​- clearly showing an increase in job vacancies.

Whilst the job market is unfamiliar and somewhat daunting, we have helped so many candidates secure their dream job over the past 2 years and like everything, you have to ‘run the race to win the prize’ – so if you are looking for a new job, don’t be put off by restrictions, there are opportunities available.

What if I start a new job, but then we go into lockdown?

Most companies have had to adapt onboarding processes during the pandemic and most have adopted a remote working model. There have been tons of candidates who have started jobs over the past 2 years and have been trained remotely. One of our candidates in particular started a new job in March 2020 and has since been promoted! Yes, starting a new job in a lockdown does have its risks, but the saying ‘high risk, high reward’ does really play out in this example.

I have a job, do I just stay put for now?

This is the hardest question to answer, as nobody could have predicted the past 2 years and unfortunately, we are unable to predict the next 2 years. Whilst being in a stable job and having job security is so important, a lesson we have all learned from the pandemic has been to prioritise a better work/life balance and we have worked with and seen so many companies adapt their working patterns to encourage this and prioritise workers mental health.

My go home message is whilst the job market is tough, there are job opportunities out there. Whilst restrictions have been reintroduced, this doesn’t necessarily mean companies will stop hiring. Whilst December in particular tends to be a quieter month for companies hiring (as lots start slowing down for the festive period), we still have numerous candidates booked in for interviews over the coming weeks.

If you are in a position where you need to search for a new job, are currently unemployed or just simply want some advice on your career, then feel free to reach out!

E: aoife@thompsonandterry.co.uk