Breaking into tech right now is challenging. We are seeing hundreds of applications per role, entry-level positions demanding years of experience, and talented candidates going months without callbacks. The ones who get hired are not always the most experienced. They are the ones who position themselves strategically.

The war for cyber talent in the UK has never been fiercer. Recent reports note that London’s tech and finance firms alone lost an estimated £30 billion to cyber incidents in 2024, forcing businesses to ramp up security hiring. The UK now has roughly 143,000 cyber security professionals but still faces a shortfall of several thousand workers. For employers, 2026 is less about whether to invest in cybersecurity talent and more about how to compete effectively for it.

The traditional route from school to work, accumulate qualifications, then seek employment, is facing its biggest challenge in decades. While higher education remains essential for certain professions, a growing number of young people and employers are discovering that apprenticeships offer something classroom learning often cannot: immediate practical experience combined with structured professional development.

If you’re still spending hours on online job applications in 2026, you might be getting nowhere. For most competitive roles, resumes submitted through portals rarely get noticed. Algorithms and filters mean even top talent can vanish. Sarah spent two months applying to over 30 jobs online, customising cover letters and tweaking her resume obsessively. The result? Four responses, two rejections, zero interviews. Then she connected with a recruiter. Within two weeks, she had three interviews and an offer by the end of the month. The new reality? Recruiters aren't just middlemen, they're advocates who can open doors, algorithms never will. Building relationships with recruiters is becoming the smartest move for anyone serious about landing their next opportunity.

If you are finding it harder than ever to secure skilled construction talent, you are not alone. Across Europe, businesses are facing unprecedented competition for workers as infrastructure programmes accelerate, housing targets intensify, and specialist projects multiply, all while labour shortages deepen and your workforce ages. 

In today's competitive job market, many professionals choose to work with recruitment companies rather than applying directly to employers. The reason? Access, expertise, and advocacy that candidates rarely get when job searching alone.

Secure Your Talent. Strengthen Your Culture. Reduce Dropouts.

Every year, I see the same thing happen you tell yourself you'll "start fresh" in January. You plan to post your job ads, review applications, and kick off the new year with new hires. But by the time you're ready to move, the best talent has already been snapped up. Recent data shows UK business hiring appetite has dropped to one of the lowest levels in years. Many firms are saying: "We'll wait until next year before recruiting." And while that may feel cautious, it carries real risk. If you're thinking about hiring, here's why now — not January — is the perfect time for you to act.