“I’ve been applying for jobs for months, and I’ve had lots of interviews, but I keep coming second, or they cancel the role, or put it on hold, and I’m starting to get worried about how I’m going to pay my bills”.

I have had this conversation, or one that sounds just like it, with lots of candidates in the past few months, and it’s agonizing for them and weighs heavily on me. The part of my job I love the most is helping people put their best foot forward, highlight their skills that really matter, and hone in on what they love doing most; and help them find the role that fits that.

So - aside from a tough economy and a tighter job market, what are some of the common challenges I’m seeing candidates who are job hunting have?

1) They’ve been in a job with a weird job title, or a weird mix of responsibilities/ delegations, and now they aren’t sure where they fit- which makes applying for roles and selling themselves feel hard

2) They’ve been in really senior roles, that aren’t as abundant as, well, less senior roles, and so with more competition in the market, they don’t know what to do if they can’t do the type of work they’ve been doing to date (or earn the salary they’re used to)

3) The expectations of the job they used to do have changed (due to things like AI), and so now an introverted and shy developer doesn’t have the same value proposition as a ‘consultant’ type, who can be an “analyst/programmer” or future consultant/prompt engineer.

But while the job market is tough, it’s not without opportunity, and more importantly, you’re not alone in navigating it. We’re here to help guide you through it with expert advice, encouragement, and practical tools.

A couple of general job-hunting ‘first impressions count’ considerations, presentation and communication:

Presentation:

During Covid, when everyone was working from home, for some, professional presentation standards slipped a bit — and now the market is correcting. Unfortunately, most companies do judge a book by its cover. The Halo Effect is a well-known psychology concept. If you look well-groomed and put together, people subconsciously extend that positive impression to other qualities — like competence, reliability, and honesty. This is a cognitive shortcut our brains take when forming quick judgments. Additionally, Risk Assessment Bias is a bias that means humans are wired to make rapid judgments about safety and trustworthiness — and appearance is one of the first cues we use. If someone looks orderly and conventional, it’s often interpreted as “low risk” compared to someone whose presentation is far outside the norm.

Communication:

Communication is universally recognised as one of the most important requirements in a new hire. In 2025, business insider highlighted that communication was the most in-demand skills even in technology where AI is advancing. While a 2025 report reveals that 92% of hiring professionals now say soft skills—including communication—are just as important as technical skills. Can you confidently say that communication is your strongest skill? Have you worked with a career coach, vocal coach or mentor to talk about how you might improve your communication skills and/ or interview skills? Recruiters are an invaluable resource to ask to provide feedback on how you interview, and if your communication skills could be improved in any way. ChatGPT can also help with suggesting and refining answers to interview questions so you can practice before a face-to-face interview.

Now that piece is sorted, let’s talk about strategies you can leverage to move forward. To begin, I’ll address my first point listed at the start of this article:

1) You’ve been in a job with a weird job title, or a weird mix of responsibilities/ delegations, and now you aren’t sure where you fit.

This is a great time to chat to a recruiter or a career coach (who specialises in your industry), and ask them where they think you fit, or what kind of job titles you should be looking at on job boards. An exercise I often ask candidate’s I’m working with to complete is to go on Seek and look Australia wide at jobs that are in the general ballpark of what they do, and start reading the responsibilities of these roles- note the job titles being used, and see if the job titles and responsibilities align with what they’ve been doing, and update their CV to include these key terms of titles (only if they are applicable of course!). Sometimes what you’ve been doing vs. how it’s described in other companies isn’t the same, so make sure you’ve got common language between your resume and the job ads on job boards like Seek and LinkedIn. Sometimes it’s also appropriate to have more than one CV- perhaps your most recent role was a blend of both program manager and General Manager and one

CV highlight both of these things can send mixed messages, and it may be worth breaking down the responsibilities for each into two separate documents, depending on the role you’re applying for, so you don’t spook anyone that you’re “too senior” OR “too junior”!

2) You’ve been in senior roles, that aren’t as abundant as, well, less senior roles, and so with more competition in the market, you don’t know what to do if you can’t do the type of work they’ve been doing to date (or achieve the salary you’re used to).

The reality of being a senior professional is that senior roles aren’t as abundant as junior roles- so this may mean looking at interim roles in the meantime, that you are qualified to do, and can still enjoy, while you wait for the perfect opportunity to arise. If you are a Director of Engineering, this might look like considering Scrum Master or Iteration Manager roles (on a contract ideally, so you’re not leaving people in the lurch when your dream role comes along in the medium term). If you’re an Operations Manager, perhaps looking a process improvement roles or other coordination type roles (depending on the nature of your role) could be an ideal stop gap. Once again, it may be worth having two CV’s that highlight the respective skills you have at a more senior level and a less senior level.

1) The expectations of the job they used to do have changed (due to things like AI), and so now an introverted and shy developer doesn’t have the same value proposition as a ‘consultant’ type, who can be an “analyst/programmer” or future consultant/prompt engineer.

The key here is to lean into your strengths while building complementary skills that boost your value proposition. Let’s be clear- you don’t need  to suddenly become an extrovert, but you can focus on improving communication in structured, low-pressure ways—such as writing clear documentation, preparing concise updates for stakeholders, or practicing short explanations of your work to non- technical audiences. Positioning yourself as someone who can translate complex technical detail into understandable insights can be just as valuable as being outspoken. You should also highlight adaptability, continuous learning, and curiosity about AI and new tools, framing yourself as forward-

looking rather than resistant to change. Even small steps—like taking an online course in business analysis, practicing interview answers that show problem-solving impact, or learning prompt engineering basics—signal to employers that they’re evolving into the “analyst/programmer” or consultant type the market increasingly demands, without abandoning the core technical expertise that still underpins your strength.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

In tough times, it's easy to feel like you’re falling behind. But if you're actively job searching, applying, or even just considering your next move, you're already making progress. Finding a job today isn’t just about luck. It’s about persistence, strategy, and being open to possibilities. Whether you are in-between roles, switching careers, or starting fresh, every step you take is a step forward.

What Else You Can Do Right Now

In addition to the above, here are some practical tips to help you stay focused and confident in your search:

1. Look for a career, not just a job

Now is the perfect time to reflect on where you want to go long term. Look for roles that match your values, skills, and ambitions, not just your current needs.

2. Upskill and refresh your toolkit

Short courses, certifications, and workshops can dramatically boost your employability.

3. Be flexible — and open-minded

Part-time or contract work can often lead to permanent opportunities. Don't be afraid to explore new industries or ways of working.

4. Get expert support

This is where we shine. PRA offers personalised advice, résumé help, interview coaching, and real market insights to help you stand out.

The PRA Jobseeker Handbook

We know the job search can feel overwhelming, so we’ve created a resource to make it easier.

Our Jobseeker Handbook is a free, downloadable guide full of practical advice to help you:

• Build a standout résumé and cover letter
• Prepare for interviews with confidence
• Access the best job boards and training resources
• Map out your career goals and steps to get there

Whether you're fresh out of university, returning to the workforce, or shifting careers, this guide will support you every step of the way.

So don’t give up. Keep going. And when you're ready, we're right here beside you.

At PRA, we don’t just place people into jobs, we help build careers.

Professional, experts, fun and approachable that’s who we are, and how we show up for you.

Article written by:

Carrah Jordan | PRA Director – QLD
P: +61730717200   M: +61483950845