One of the biggest challenges job seekers face is going into the job market without a clear understanding of what to expect. If you haven’t job searched for a while you may be surprised by the changes. Setbacks are an inevitable part of the process and being aware of potential challenges or obstructions can help you to manage your expectations and find ways to cope throughout your transition.

This article highlights 4 things you could experience in a competitive job market and why, with tips to manage your expectations.

1. Jobs adverts don’t always include salaries

Before you even apply for a new role, you might have noticed that many job postings don't include salary ranges, which can be frustrating. Tailoring your CV or application takes time and effort, so knowing whether the role is suitable and offers the right salary can be crucial in deciding whether to apply.

There are several reasons why employers might leave salary details out. They may want to keep it confidential or are concerned that stating a salary might discourage potential applicants, so they prefer to keep the salary range flexible to attract more applicants. The best way to navigate this is by researching salary ranges. Reach out to recruiters and ask what salary range you should expect based on your experience. You can also use online tools such as salary checkers to benchmark salaries. The job specification may also provide further detail. If the advert is looking for someone who is newly qualified or requires just a couple of years of experience, it's likely that the salary will reflect this too.

2. Recruitment processes can be lengthy

If you haven’t looked for a new role for a long time you may be surprised how long some recruitment processes can take. From advertising a role, allowing sufficient time to apply, sifting through applications to starting a pre-screen process. It may be a few weeks before your application is even acknowledged. The interview process is becoming lengthier too. So don’t be surprised if you go through 4-5 interviews before a final decision has been made.

Be patient; if a recruiter or hiring manager hasn’t responded to your application, where possible, put in a follow up call or an introduction request through LinkedIn as it may get your application to the top of their list. If a recruiter hasn’t got back to you about an interview, it may be that they are waiting for their client or for it to be signed off by a senior stakeholder.

3. Change happens   

Companies can often move the goal posts when it comes to candidate fit against a role profile. If a company is recruiting due to growth what they initially believe they are looking for can often change once they start the recruitment process.  Some companies may even interview multiple candidates and change the direction or view of the role. Why? Hiring is a business risk, get it wrong, it could cost a lot of time and money for a company, so unless they are backfilling a vacancy, they may not be clear on what they are really looking for until the process has begun.

Don’t be disheartened if happens to you as it happens to many jobseekers. The next time you're unsure about applying because you don't meet all the criteria, apply anyway. If what you can offer outweighs what you can’t, you may find that companies value candidates with transferable skills or a fresh perspective, even if you don't perfectly match the exact experience listed in the job description. Also, until you have an official job offer, don’t put all your eggs in one basket, explore multiple opportunities to keep your pipeline open.

4. Be prepared not to receive feedback

Whether you haven’t received feedback on a recent application or were disappointed to not receive feedback from a multistage interview, unfortunately in a digital job market this can happen. Companies may avoid providing feedback to reduce the risk of potential complaints or even legal issues.  

If you weren't successful in an interview, ask for feedback, but how you approach it is important. Stay professional even if you are genuinely disappointed. An email thanking them for their time and asking for feedback to support your professional development and future interviews may encourage the interviewer to discuss further. If they don’t, keep an eye on the company's LinkedIn page. Type in the ‘Company name and Job title’ and look at who they have appointed. This can help you to review their background to identify any potential skills gaps.

Frustratingly, some positions are filled internally, and companies advertise vacancies as a way to benchmark talent. Most importantly though, remember, interviews are a two-way process. If a company is unable to provide feedback or they handle their recruitment process poorly, it could be a sign that they're not the right fit for you.