Marvin OnumonuData from Tribepad shows that job availability dropped by 22% between December 2024 and February 2025 compared to the previous year, leading to an increase in job applications.
There were 108,739 roles posted on Tribepad’s platform during this period, down from 139,308 the previous year.
The UK unemployment rate was 4.4% at the end of 2024, with 1.56 million people unemployed, an increase of 210,000 over the year.
In London, unemployment peaked at 6.1% as competition for roles intensified.
In January 2025, the average number of applications per job was 35.5, up from 20.7 in January 2024.
This increase in competition resulted in a 2.82% average chance of securing a job.
Dean Sadler, CEO of Tribepad, said: “The job market is shifting. Businesses are pulling back on hiring due to economic pressures and the latest budget, while job seekers are stepping up their search.
“With an average of nearly 36 applications per role, competition is fierce. Employers need to adapt their recruitment strategies to handle the volume and find the right people – of which there are plenty.
“But speed can’t come at the expense of fairness – tackling bias and ensuring equal opportunities must stay a priority.”
Martyn Cohen, a 45-year-old job seeker from Hertfordshire, said: “The current job market is undoubtedly more competitive than I’ve experienced before!
“I’m searching for senior leadership roles, but each one seems to attract hundreds of applicants.
“Recruiters are increasingly prescriptive, often prioritising exact role or industry matches over transferable skills or the quality of achievements.
“The realities of modern recruitment can make the process even more challenging.”
Cohen added: “I’ve had some interviews, but so far, I’ve generally been told I’m overqualified.
“While I see this as a positive reflection of my extensive experience and ability to add value, it’s frustrating when this counts against you.
“With over 25 years in sales and operations and extensive network, some days the lack of roles or generic/automatic rejections can be very frustrating, and it takes extra effort to stay positive and focused!
“It’s a challenging process, but I’m confident the right opportunity is out there.”
