Whether you’re a recent graduate, planning a career switch, or seeking that big promotion, knowing what’s happening in the UK job market can make all the difference to landing your dream job. Here’s how you can stand out and secure your ideal role in 2025.
The job market today
Let’s start with a quick snapshot of what the UK job market looks like right now:
- 33.17 million people aged 16+ are employed, with an increase of 80,000 jobs over the last year
- The employment rate for those aged 16-64 stands at a solid 75%
- Unemployment is low at 3.9%, with 1.36 million people unemployed
- There are 908,000 job vacancies as of early 2024 – that’s even higher than pre-pandemic levels
What does this mean? The market is competitive, but there are plenty of opportunities if you’re prepared and proactive.
Adapt to a fast-changing landscape
With the UK economy expected to grow by up to 1.4% in 2025, now is a great time to be looking for new roles. There’s a clear shortage of skilled workers, and that means employers are stepping up with better pay and benefits.
But it’s not just about being in the right place at the right time. You have to be agile and adaptable to the fast pace of change in the world of work. This means keeping your finger on the pulse, being aware of changes that are happening in your industry that might influence how you do your job. It’s important to stay on top of the changes, especially in how technology is reshaping industries and redefining roles.
Tech is king – and you’re part of it
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging tech aren’t just buzzwords anymore. A global study surveyed over 30,000 employees in 23 countries and found a remarkable 70% adoption rate of AI in the workplace. This indicates that by 2025, the adoption rate is likely to rise even further.
To stand out, you need to:
- Develop complementary skills: Focus on areas where human skills are irreplaceable, like creative problem-solving, empathy, and decision-making
- Stay tech-savvy: Make sure you’re up to date with the latest tools and tech in your industry. You don’t have to be a coder, but familiarity with relevant software and tools can give you a serious edge and learning to embrace the new is better than falling behind
Flexibility is your friend
Remote and hybrid work are still being used by many employers. If you’ve got experience working flexibly, show it off on your CV and in interviews. Illustrate that you can handle different work environments and still deliver results.
- Self-motivation and time management are key
- Provide examples of how you’ve nailed remote collaboration or juggling different work setups
- Show you are still committed to face to face/in office working when needed for collaboration, relationship building and problem solving
Skills matter more than degrees
In 2025, it’s your skills that will catch employers’ attention, not just your formal qualifications.
- Achievement focused CVs are your best bet. Showcase the skills you have developed and how they translated to real results
- Offer concrete examples and talk about projects where you applied those skills. This goes a long way in interviews
- Certifications and CPD in high-demand areas (think cybersecurity, data analytics, and project management) are a great way to boost your profile
Keep learning, keep growing
The pace of change is fast, and the best way to stay competitive is to embrace continuous learning. Regularly updating your skills – whether embracing new systems, learning from others, being willing to try new ways of working through to online courses, workshops, or attending industry events and networking – all show employers you’re adaptable and ready for anything.
Look out for how change is going to impact your role or industry so that you stay relevant. How could you get involved with the next generation of employees to maintain your awareness of the new innovations and different ways of thinking that may influence things in the future?
Build a standout digital presence
First impressions often happen online these days, so make yours count. Embrace the digital world of recruitment and keep your LinkedIn profile sharp, relevant, and up to date. Use it to network, build relationships, engage with online communities related to your field – it’s a great way to discover connections and showcase your expertise, which could lead to future opportunities for you or your company
Don’t forget the soft skills
Yes, tech skills are important, but soft skills and people skills are the key ingredients that are uniquely human and continue to make you stand out. Adaptability, resilience, emotional intelligence, and solid communication are just as important as your technical know-how. Despite the growth of AI, employers want people who can work well with others, solve problems handle conflict, support customers or clients, motivate teams and develop relationships.
Equity, diversity and inclusion: Be part of the conversation
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are top priorities for companies. Be ready to talk about your experience working in diverse teams and your thoughts on creating work environments where everyone feels heard, included and valued. If you’ve been involved in any relevant volunteer work or initiatives to support inclusion, that’s a huge plus!
If you’d like some help and support landing your dream new job in 2025, email me to book a first free session.
