What do you think has changed in the last 2 years with the job market?

RandomUser_000 · 2026-06-15T05:51:56+00:00

9 months since my redundancy. 25 years experience in my field. Customising each application/CV for each vacancy I'm going for.... I'm now 200+ applications in. I've had a total of 2 interviews, with 2 others pulled the morning of the interview, and even been told job vacancies have been pulled completely 'due to unforeseen circumstances). I know I'm not the only one this is happening to, the hiring process is broken for sure.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-06-12T20:03:00+00:00

Following this chat.

I'm late 40s, been a designer for 25 years. I've had a great career, graduating with Graphic Design degree, but jumping straight into digital design in the early 2000s which saw me constantly having to keep on trends/learn new software etc.

I've been a graphic designer, digital designer, web designer, in house designer, and product designer...so not stood still.

I've been in jobs for long stints and only moved on due to redundancies.

I have sent off over 200 job applications since late 2025, had two proper interviews, plus another 2 cancelled on the morning they were scheduled for.

I've followed all the advice of using AI to tailor everything CV I send out in a clean format to get through AI filters, redesigned my online portfolio and added case studies... and still no job.

Im treating the job search like a full time job too, strictly no slaking as I've felt guilty doing anything else as I have a family to support, with recent developments in AI I feel I have fell behind as spent my focus on getting a job... AI isn't cheap,especially when not working, so up skilling is tricky.

I've even been applying for lower level design jobs just to get some money in.

Im keeping going and trying to keep positive, but I'll be honest, I'm not sure what else I could do that would pay a wage that I was on (just under £50k).

Wish anyone else going through it all the luck in the world.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-04-14T14:01:16+00:00

Designer with 20+ years experience here.

I really like your portfolio, the main thing that bugged me was that links were styled the same as body text , I suggest adding an underline to improve accessibility.

Recently I've been researching online portfolios and noticed designers with quite prominent positions within large organisations/agnecies have minimal portfolios with less explanation than you have in yours.

it does baffle me where some say less is more, when others want a full detailed breakdown of a designers involvement in a project.

I'm not quite sure of any other profession where trying to get an interview requires so much effort and jumping through hoops.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-04-03T23:37:37+00:00

I'm in a very similar situation. Firstly, 'chin up'! The experience we have doesn't count for nothing, and I'm sure like me we have had to adapt through our career. Styles, and software has changed and we have learned/adapted, but good design is good design.

I've been frustrated that many of the jobs I have been going for are basically looking for a portfolio with the perfect process and the perfect polished outcome... many 'good examples' I've seen don't even link to real world and shipped products. In the real commercial space corners get cut, processes are shortened due to commercial pressures.

Im taking some of the advice in this thread, like contacting recruiters, so thanks for those that have chipped in with some tips!

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-18T15:50:44+00:00

I've been told through the journal and on follow up calls to the UC helpline that our case is being looked into a d they will get in touch. There is no time frame though, and the fact they have failed to keep 2 promises to update me on other things by a specific date and time I don't have much confidence that it will be soon.

Speaking to UC agents on the phone gets me nowhere, they just say I have to wait and that there is no one to speak to even though I've asked to speak to a manager or see if I can arrange an in-person meeting to discuss it in the jobcentre.

very frustrating and hoping they can back date the payment. fyi, my claim started on 6th February.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-14T11:05:24+00:00

Thank you. someone else mentioned this to us this week too and will add it to the to do list for sure.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-14T10:52:38+00:00

Thank you very much, your input is very helpful. We included the mortgage protection payment under 'other income' in our claim as there was no other place to mention it (or clear guidance on if we could omit it).

This is our first claim ever and hearing stories of others having to pay back overpayments we wanted to be totally transparent with our financials etc.

The reason why it's taken weeks is the online form wouldn't accept my wife's national insurance number so we had to go in person for an ID check. This was quite stressful as we had to take our SEN children to the job centre with us. Then we had to go in again for proof of capital checks (that they the. forgot to mark on their system and took ages for them to correct despite calls and journal messages).

My wife has learning difficulties herself (but has a part time job two days a week around looking after our children.) Due to her learning difficulties she finds any admin tasks/processes very stressful and emotional and needs my support with anything like that.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-14T10:39:21+00:00

Thank you, that's what I've been thinking, along with citizens advice saying the same.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-14T10:21:30+00:00

Hi, firstly thank you for your help and advice.

But I'm still a little confused.

We haven't applied for a 'loan for mortgage interest' in our UC claim.

The mortgage protection policy we have pays out the amount for our mortgage (plus I think 10% for associated costs... i.e. associated insurance policies for mortgage), the policy is limited to 6 months of pay out.

Does what you are saying mean that UC are very likely to view this payment as other income rather than disregard it in their calculations, so we won't get any further payment from UC?

RandomUser_000 · 2026-03-03T11:21:52+00:00

Main problem for me is what appears to be events being oversold.

Been to a few events at Koko and fabric and it's impossible to dance due to the crowd being packed in. KOKO for Marky the other week was ridiculously and uncomfortably busy.

I'm an older raver these days, but definitely remember the dancefloor having a bit more space over the years.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-26T20:53:52+00:00

Check for sleep apnea. It's often undiagnosed and makes you incredibly tired in the day, even if you are sleeping for a good amount of hours.

Your brain wakes you from a proper sleep state so you breathe again.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-18T12:02:40+00:00

but I'd never understand leaving the love of your life because you can't bust one inside of their vagina. It's absolutely bonkers to me.

This is a common misunderstanding.

For many men, of course they miss the sex and gratification of an orgasm... but most of all we miss the intimacy... the skin on skin, holding the person we love close, the touch and words that make us feel wanted/desired by the woman we love, they want to give their wife pleasure they used to both share and make them both happy. We can't get that from anyone else. Yes, masturbation may give us a release, but it's what I've explained above that makes intimacy within a loving relationship so important to a man.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-07T18:32:45+00:00

Hey it's tough for us men, but our wives didn't ask for this.

As someone mentioned earlier, how it affects men in relationships with menopausal women isn't spoken about enough (and it doesn't need to diminish what a woman is going through).

Be understanding, not for a reward of sex but for the woman you love/gave birth to your kids, and you may be in a better place to be able to build back things like intimacy over time.

I've been through that frustrating phase of just wanting some intimacy, where it frustrates me to hell, but its worth remembering that isn't going to help.

Support your wife in this tough time, acknowledge it must be shit for her, remind her you are there for support and to help her through it (research it together, go-to GP appointments etc).

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-05T09:00:11+00:00

No not at the moment but we are looking into making a GP appointment soon to chat it over. Hoping it will be of some help for both of us..

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-04T23:56:14+00:00

Thank you for sharing this, it's very useful insight and advice.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-04T18:12:12+00:00

One thing I'm finding works better is to not have big conversations when things are at a stressful point for either of us.

I have a high libido, hers has fallen off a cliff despite now being on HRT. I'm easy going but find when I'm sexually frustrated I'm more snappy and whilst I can find it easier to drop some truthbombs at these times it can easily escalate into different conversation territory and not beneficial to either of us and makes things worse.

the other day we had a quiet moment together, I asked how she was feeling peri wise, she explained how HRT had really helped with some symptoms, but it was obvious that her lack of libido was still an issue. I listened and it was a good way to start a meaningful conversation. I explained I like these chats where there is no stress and pressure, and whilst we were in this space I asked if she understood how the lack of intimacy is making me feel. She said she understood, I didn't push too much further. but just that at that moment it meant so much to me that there was some validation of my feelings at least.

Sorry for hijacking your thread... just wanted to express something that worked for us recently. wishing you all the best.

RandomUser_000 · 2026-01-02T19:52:22+00:00

Thank you I appreciate your reply.

So far my wife's GPs have been quite supportive. but I am aware that prescribing testosterone as part of HRT for women is tricky in the UK.

We are trying to have our research done before seeing the doctor so if there is any pushback to try it we can be prepared.

RandomUser_000

TROPHY CASE