Employers show greater confidence than candidates as job market recovery continues

According to independent job board, CV-Library, the latest job market data for the month of April reveals that, after an initial boost in March, job postings have remained steady. In comparison, applications per job have fallen by -12.8%. The main contributors to this decline were in applications to leisure and tourism, public sector and education roles, which all fell by around -25%.  

As April saw the second phase of the roadmap out of lockdown, many sectors recorded unprecedented job postings. Positions offered in catering soared by +63%, leisure and tourism up by +42%, hospitality up by +42% and retail job postings grew by +22.8%.  

The year-on-year monthly figures, highlight a very different story. April 2020 saw the UK in the depths of the first lockdown and as we take further steps back to normality in April 2021, job postings are up an eye watering +231.8% and applications by +11%.  

Lee Biggins, CEO and founder of CV-Library: 

“With record numbers of jobs being posted in some sectors, and a greater choice of roles to choose from, a fall in applications per job in April can be understood. However, it’s fair to say that there’s an air of caution from job seekers, with many waiting to see how the roadmap continues to roll out and how the sectors that have re-opened fare longer term.” 

Biggins continues: “The year-on-year job data is a great reminder of just how far we’ve come and should offer job seekers the confidence to return to the job market and make their next career move. These latest figures prove that fresh opportunities are out there and faith in the UK’s economic recovery is becoming justifiable once again.”