How to land a job in a tough market

Read time: 4 mins

You’re not doing anything wrong.

You’ve tailored your CV, written countless cover letters. And yet, nothing’s moving.

We get it. But your problem might not be effort. It might be perception.

In a difficult job market, everyone’s trying. But the ones who get noticed?
Are the ones who communicate in a way that resonates with decision-makers.

Whether you’re job hunting or climbing the ladder, it’s not just about performance anymore.
It’s about how that performance is perceived. And at the heart of that is communication.

Here’s what you need to know:

Great work can go unseen if it’s not communicated well.

In your job search, your "audience" is the hiring manager. In your role, it’s your direct manager. Both require the same skill: strategic communication.

So, how do you start being seen?

1. Mirror the job description

Hiring managers write job ads with intention. Use their language — literally. If they say “collaborative problem-solver,” don’t call yourself a “team-oriented troubleshooter.” Match their words to make your application feel aligned.

• If the tone is formal? Stick to clean, professional language.

•  If it’s quirky or casual? Show personality appropriately. Think: conversational tone, thoughtful humour, and cultural fit.

2. Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter like a sales pitch

Your CV isn’t a biography, it’s a brochure.
Highlight what matters to them, not just what you’ve done.

• Prioritise clarity and structure. Bullet points often win over big blocks of text.

• Use measurable results: “Increased engagement by 30%” is more powerful than “responsible for social media.”

3. Communicate confidence in Interviews (without arrogance)

Confidence = knowing your worth and knowing the room.

• Pause. Listen. Mirror their energy and pace.

• Ask thoughtful questions that show you understand their challenges.

4. Always follow up

Silence doesn’t mean rejection. And following up doesn’t make you desperate it shows professionalism.

• Send a short, thoughtful email 5–7 days after applying.

• Reference something specific from the job spec or company values.

• Reinforce your value, not your availability.

Your talent isn’t the problem.
Your delivery might be.