From networking to survival mode: Expert shares tips on how to get hired in today’s job market

Her message to applicants struggling to secure roles was clear: do not shoulder the blame.

Jobseekers across industries are facing one of the most challenging recruitment environments in recent years, according to career specialists who admitted there is no longer a universal playbook for success.

Morgan Williams, founder and chief executive of the professional coaching firm PeakHR, told CNBC Make It that familiar job-hunting strategies were proving inadequate. “You can’t rely on tactics that we’ve always done, because we’re in a market we’ve never been in before,” she said. Describing the situation as “truly uncharted territory,” she argued that the uncertainty of the economy had left both employers and candidates navigating unfamiliar ground.

Her message to applicants struggling to secure roles was clear: do not shoulder the blame. “You can be doing everything and still not get the job,” she explained. “You cannot beat yourself up. You have to be so kind to yourself, because you need every ounce of energy that you have.”

Williams underlined the continuing importance of networking, cautioning against reaching out to people only at the point of need. “When you wait until you need something, it often comes across as transactional,” she said. Instead, she encouraged candidates to research before making contact: “Show them how you value their work or why you think this person can even be helpful to you.”

She advised making better use of alumni associations, voluntary organisations, and local community groups, which she said were often overlooked but could produce valuable opportunities. At networking events, she urged applicants to listen rather than dominate. “People love talking about themselves, so you should allow them to.”

The PeakHR founder was blunt about the current climate. “We’re not in a market for perfection. We’re in the market to pay bills,” she remarked. Many employers were offering smaller roles or salaries lower than candidates might have secured in previous years, and she warned against holding out indefinitely for the so-called dream job. Doing so, she said, risked depleting savings and prolonging financial strain.

For those unable to land permanent posts, Williams suggested short-term contracts or freelance assignments as practical alternatives. This period, she argued, required a shift in mindset: “This is not the time to put your nose up. I think we really have to go into survival mode. We have to challenge our norms and beliefs about work.”

Williams emphasised that the psychological, emotional, and physical toll of prolonged job-hunting could not be underestimated. “The job search today can feel like an endurance test,” she said. She recommended that applicants stay connected to others and find activities that gave them purpose, such as volunteering, which she said could help sustain motivation.

She further advised leaning on trusted friends or past colleagues not solely for professional references but for encouragement. “Ask them what they think your best attributes are,” she suggested, noting that hearing others’ perspectives might not only provide useful content for applications but also restore confidence. “You need that reminder that you do good work and that you are valued.”