Trending Now: The Top Concerns of Job Seekers in the UK

or more people entering the workforce.

Alternatively, ‘what to wear in an interview’ has seen a decline in searches from 2015 and 2016 to 2024. The peak year for this search was 2015 while the lowest year was 2019. Is this due to the ease of access to social media for fashion advice?

Interestingly, a high volume of each years’ peaks in searches occurred in the summertime, correlating with the discomfort of wearing ‘smart’ clothes in the heat (for example a suit, long sleeved shirt/blouse etc.).

‘How to introduce yourself in an interview’ was the next most popular search, with an average of 720 searches a month of users worrying how to do this. Introducing yourself is a critical moment in the interview, and the relatively high volume indicates that many people seek guidance on this part of the process.

Although “What not to wear to an interview” (SV 590) has slightly lower search volume than “What to wear in an interview” – the phrasing suggests this is a worry for the user, ensuring they don’t make any fashion/clothing mistakes.

“Can you take notes into an interview” (480 searches): This query suggests that job seekers are uncertain about interview etiquette, particularly whether bringing notes is acceptable. The search volume indicates a moderate level of concern, with job seekers likely wanting to balance preparation with professionalism.

“How to know if an interview went well” (390 searches): This query is indicative of post-interview anxiety, where candidates are looking for signs or reassurances that the interview was successful. The search volume, while lower, still reflects a significant number of individuals seeking advice on interpreting interview outcomes.

“Culture fit interview questions” (210 searches): Although culture fit is important, it’s not as heavily searched, possibly because it is seen as less tangible or more dependent on the company’s internal dynamics than on the candidate’s performance.

CVs

“How to write a CV” (12,100 searches): This query dominates the search volume,

suggesting that a vast number of job seekers are looking for comprehensive guidance on writing a CV.

“How long should a CV be” (2,900 searches): This is the second most popular query, showing that many job seekers are worried about the appropriate length of a CV. The high volume of searches suggests that a lot of job seekers are concerned about meeting industry or employer expectations in terms of CV length.

The Peak Year for this search term is 2024 so far, followed by 2023. We can see an increase in this search of +27% from 2015 to 2024 so far.

“What to include in a CV” (1,600 searches): This query and its search volume indicates that plenty of job seekers are looking for specific advice on the essential components of a CV, concerned that they are including the essential information for the employer.

“What skills to put on CV” (1,300 searches): This query is closely related to “What to include in a CV” but focuses specifically on skills, which are a critical part of a CV.

“How to write a CV with no experience” (590 searches): This query shows that a group of job seekers, likely those who are new to the workforce, graduates or are changing careers, are particularly concerned with crafting a CV when they lack direct experience.

“Can you lie on your CV” (260 searches): This query suggests a small group of job seekers are considering unethical practices to enhance their CV. The search volume is low, which might imply that most people are either aware of the risks or do not consider this option.

“What happens if you lie on your CV” (90 searches): This query is likely searched by those who are either contemplating lying on their CV or who have done so and are worried about the consequences. The very low search volume indicates that few people are in this situation or are seeking advice after the fact.

Job Searching

“What job should I do” (5,400 searches): This query dominates the search volume, indicating that many job seekers are uncertain and concerned about their career path and are actively seeking guidance. The high volume suggests that career indecision or exploration is a significant concern for a large segment of the population, possibly including those entering the workforce for the first time, changing careers, or re-evaluating their current job situation. Searches for this peaked in 2015 and the lowest year was 2021.

“What is the most suitable job for me” (1,300 searches): This query, while less common than the “What job should I do”, still represents a significant interest in personalised career advice. The lower volume compared to “What job should I do” might suggest that while many people are looking for general career advice, a smaller group is seeking more tailored or specific guidance.

“Can you be overqualified for a job” (40 searches): This query suggests that a small number of job seekers are concerned about the potential downsides of being overqualified for a position. The low search volume indicates that while this is a concern, it is not a widespread issue for most job seekers.

“Can you be rejected from a job for being overqualified” (20 searches): This query shows very low volume, suggesting that it is not a common concern, however is a worry for a niche group of job seekers who are looking for advice on how to handle these specific scenarios.

“How to apply for a job you’re overqualified for,” “How to apply for a job you’re underqualified for,” “How to get a job you’re overqualified for,” “How to get a job you’re underqualified for” (20 searches each): These queries all share the same very low search volume, indicating that issues around qualification mismatches are not a major focus for most job seekers.

Salary

“How to negotiate salary” (1,900 searches): This query has the highest search volume, suggesting that salary negotiation is a significant concern for many job seekers and employees. The relatively high volume reflects the importance of securing fair compensation and the uncertainty or discomfort many people feel when it comes to negotiating their salary.

The peak in 2022 suggests a heightened interest in salary negotiation, possibly due to factors like inflation, economic uncertainty, or increased job mobility during and after the pandemic.

The low in 2016 might indicate that fewer people were actively seeking salary

negotiation advice during that period, potentially due to a more stable job market or less awareness of negotiation opportunities.

“What does competitive salary mean” (880 searches): This shows an interest in understanding what employers mean when they use the term “competitive salary” in job postings. This could reflect a concern about transparency in salary offers and the desire for more information to make informed decisions.

This query shows a moderate level of interest, reflecting job seekers’ desire to understand employer terminology and ensure fair compensation.

The peak in 2021 could be linked to increased attention on salary transparency and fairness, perhaps driven by broader societal discussions around equity and pay disparities.

The low in 2019 might indicate a period of relative stability or less concern about understanding salary terms, possibly due to fewer changes in job market dynamics.

“How to answer salary expectations” (720 searches): This query is also significant, as it reflects a common concern faced by job seekers during the interview process when asked about their salary expectations. The search volume indicates that many people are seeking advice on how to approach this sensitive question without undervaluing themselves or pricing themselves out of a job opportunity.

The rising interest in “How to answer salary expectations” leading into 2024 suggests that this topic is becoming increasingly important, potentially driven by changes in how salary discussions are handled in interviews.

New Job

“How to announce new job on LinkedIn” (260 searches): This query has the highest search volume, indicating that many individuals are concerned with the professional etiquette and best practices for announcing a new job on LinkedIn.

“How to find a new job” (260 searches): This query shares the same search volume as the LinkedIn announcement query, highlighting the importance of job searching strategies. The consistent interest in this query reflects the ongoing need for guidance on effective job search methods, whether due to career changes, dissatisfaction with current employment, or unemployment. The peak time for this

search has been 2024 so far, whilst the lowest search point was 2015.

“Why are you looking for a new job” (170 searches): This query is slightly less common but still significant, indicating that job seekers are concerned about how to explain their motivation for a job change, likely in interviews or on their resumes. The search volume suggests that people want to ensure they provide compelling and positive reasons for seeking a new job, which can be a critical factor in the hiring process.

“How long to settle into a new job” (90 searches): This query reflects a concern with the post-hiring phase, where job seekers want to know how long it typically takes to adjust to a new role. The lower search volume may indicate that while important, this concern is not as pressing as finding or securing a new job, or it could reflect that people tend to seek this advice after starting the job rather than beforehand.

“How to negotiate salary for a new job” (50 searches): This query has the lowest search volume, indicating that fewer people are searching specifically for advice on salary negotiation when starting a new job.