This summer is a genuinely difficult one for job seekers across Dorset, Hampshire and further afield. Hiring has slowed, clients are taking longer to make decisions, and the days of applying to a handful of roles and fielding three offers are, for now, behind us. That does not mean good candidates go unnoticed. It means the approach has to change, and I want to tell you plainly what I am seeing work and what is not.

AI-generated CVs have gone from being unusual to being the norm in a relatively short period of time

Is your CV being read by a human... probably not. 78% of UK employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and these systems are getting increasingly sophisticated. That means before a recruiter or hiring manager ever sets eyes on your CV, an algorithm has already scanned it, scored it, and decided whether you make the cut.

There is a lot of noise in the market right now, and most of it is not particularly helpful if you are a business owner trying to get the right person into the right seat. So let me cut through it and tell you what we are actually seeing.

if you've been putting off filling that vacancy, this is the update that should make you pick up the phone today. Stephen Simpson's recent article for HR Review sets out the changes coming through the Employment Rights Act 2025, and the headline for any business owner is this: the qualifying period for unfair dismissal drops from two years to six months.

The UK job market has shifted, and if you're looking for a permanent role this year, you need to shift with it. This is the toughest market I've seen in a long time, and the candidates who succeed are the ones who face that with honesty and prepare accordingly.

Your job description matters more than a lot of employers give it credit for. It is the first impression a candidate gets of your business, your culture, and the opportunity itself. If you get it wrong, you will either attract the wrong people or put the best ones off entirely. Time and again, we see vague job adverts with long wish lists, no salary information, and nothing about company culture or employee benefits. Then the employer wonders why the application quality is poor!

You have had a great interview. You walked out feeling confident. Then... nothing. Days pass. Your inbox stays empty. Does that sound familiar?

After a couple of rocky years, things are settling down. Not a boom, but a steady, more focused market. That is good news if you know how to work it.

The CV-Library Q4 2025 report paints an upbeat picture of the UK jobs market. Vacancies are climbing for the first time in six quarters, 71% of employers are planning recruitment growth in 2026, and nationally, confidence is returning. That is encouraging, and some of it rings true.

The latest Modern Families Index 2026 Report from Bright Horizons landed in my inbox last week, highlighting the pressure points for working parents and carers.

AI can be a brilliant assistant for polishing your CV, tailoring applications and practising interviews – but it should never replace your judgment, your integrity, or your personality. The candidates who stand out are always the ones who sound like real people, with real stories and impact.