28/11/2008:- Hundreds of Thousands of vacancies still available nationwide but candidates need to revise career strategies.

The outlook may seem increasingly bleak, a view supported by both the press and statistics, however the actual number of vacancies currently available may come as a pleasant surprise for those who find themselves out of work.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (the official statistical analysis and data gathering source for the government) in November show that nationwide job vacancies total 589,000 for the three months to October 2008.

Predictably however, this figure was down 40,000 on the previous quarter. Tell-tale signs of the economic slow-down continue to become apparent when the equivalent figure for last year, 672,000 vacancies is taken into account. Additionally, unemployment was swelled by another 156,000 reported redundancies and now tops the 1.82million mark.

The figures show a gloomy outlook; 1.82million unemployed and only 589,000 vacancies. The market cannot sustain the workforce and average earnings are likely to suffer. The basic law of supply and demand will need to be confronted head-on by those looking to maintain or increase their earning potential.

Faced with increased competition and tightening recruitment budgets those looking to move jobs or re-enter the job market will need to completely re-evaluate their outlook on the recruitment process, starting with the very basics; creating a new, more powerful CV.

Candidates will need to tailor their CVs to target the job roles they are looking for and appropriate companies will need to be contacted for possible vacancies and opportunities. The process continues; as the average number of competing candidates per job gradually increases the need to be well prepared for interview becomes critical.

Finding and securing that new role is more difficult and dangerous than ever before. How do you contact the maximum number of companies without looking desperate?  How do you approach negotiating the salary?

To discover how Miller McKenzie can help, click here for our jobseeker page. Miller McKenzie are a professional executive recruitment consultancy with sector specific knowledge and contacts.

For the complete statistical document release that this article was based upon, please visit the Office for National Statistics website or follow this link.

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