A Recruiter Told Me Something You Need to Hear

By Jo Macdonald | Jo Macdonald Careers

I’ll be honest.
This information is a little more serious than normal.. but stick with me. 

Not because it’s all doom and gloom, it’s not, I promise, but because I wish someone had said this louder, sooner. And now I feel like I need to say it to you.

Last week I had a conversation with a recruiter. A good one. The kind who tells you the truth rather than what you want to hear.

And what they shared with me about the current Australian job market in 2026? Well… it connected a lot of dots.

As a career coach, I make a point of having these conversations regularly. It’s how I stay across what is actually happening in the market, not just what people assume is happening.

And honestly? The second they said it, so much of this year suddenly made sense.

Something Has Felt “Off” in the Job Market This Year

As a career coach, I had already been noticing something was weird.

That little recruitment bump we normally see when school goes back in February? It never really came this year.

Usually, things pick up. Roles start moving. Hiring gains momentum.

But this year felt… flat. 

And I couldn’t quite put my finger on why.

Then my amazing informant (I feel like a news reporter) explained that the Queensland Government had slowed recruitment across a number of areas. Not frontline roles necessarily, but many senior and non-frontline positions had slowed right down.

And here’s the thing most people don’t realise.

When senior roles slow down:

• Senior people stay where they are
• Mid-level staff can’t move up
• Movement across organisations slows
• Opportunities become more limited

The whole market gets a bit sticky.

And considering the Queensland Government employs more than 270,000 people, when something slows down at that scale, the ripple effect reaches everywhere.

Private sector. Not-for-profit. Small business. All of it.

It’s Not Just a Queensland Problem

This is the part I really want you to hear.

This is not just happening in Queensland.

I’m hearing similar conversations around:

• Federal Government
• Other state departments
• Large organisations
• Corporate recruitment teams

Slower approvals.
Longer hiring processes.
More scrutiny before vacancies are filled.
Recruitment timelines dragging out for months.

People all across Australia are quietly saying the same thing.

The market is tighter right now.

And if you’ve been applying for jobs wondering why things suddenly feel harder than they used to… you are not imagining it.

This Is Not Doom and Gloom. This Is Your Heads Up.

Now before you panic and throw your laptop into the nearest body of water… please hear me out. 😂

People are still getting hired every single day. There are role out there, I promise.

But the people getting ahead right now are not necessarily applying more.

They’re preparing better.

And that’s the shift I think people need to understand.

Because in the last 5+ years, that I have been career coaching, I honestly haven’t seen a job market quite like this one.

Not impossible.
Not hopeless.
Just… more competitive and you need to be more strategic.

Which means your ducks need to be in a row.

And if your ducks are currently scattered across the highway and one of them may actually be a chicken… honestly, I get it. 😅

But this is the time to quietly get yourself ready before the next opportunity lands in front of you.

What “Getting Ready” Actually Looks Like in 2026

Right now, applying for jobs alone is not enough.

The strongest candidates are covering all the bases.

That means:

Career Direction

Actually knowing what you want and where you’re heading instead of panic-applying for anything remotely suitable.

A Resume That Gets Past ATS Systems

Because applicant tracking systems.. aka: bots are filtering job applications before a human even sees them.

A LinkedIn Profile That Works For You

Not just a digital dusty shelf you created three years ago and forgot existed. Honestly, when it comes to job searching, your LinkedIn profile DOES make a difference. 

Networking and Hidden Opportunities

Because many roles are being filled through conversations, referrals, and connections before they are ever advertised. 

Interview Preparation

Being able to clearly communicate your value and answer questions in a way that actually lands with the interview panel. 

Career Confidence

And honestly? This one matters more than people realise.

Because a slow market can start chipping away at your confidence if you let it. 

A Note for Defence Partners

If you’re an ADF spouse or Defence partner navigating this market while managing postings, relocations, career gaps, and the beautiful chaos that comes with military life… this market can feel even heavier.

You are often rebuilding networks from scratch.

Re-explaining career gaps.

Trying to create consistency in environments that are anything but consistent.

And after a while, that can really impact how you see yourself professionally.

Which is exactly why I get so passionate about Defence partners using their $1,500 PEAP funding.

Because this funding is not just about “fixing a resume.”

It’s about:

• rebuilding confidence
• creating career direction
• developing strategy
• strengthening applications
• preparing for interviews
• learning how to navigate the hidden job market
• and making sure you are back in the equation too

Your PEAP funding provides up to $1,500 each financial year through the Partner Employment Assistance Program for career coaching.

And in a market like this? It is genuinely one of the smartest tools you can use to get yourself prepared and positioned well.

The People Who Will Do Well in This Market

The people who will do well in this job market are not necessarily the loudest.

They are the people quietly:

• improving their applications
• building relationships
• strengthening their confidence
• refining their strategy
• and preparing before the opportunity arrives

No panic required.

We are just getting your ducks organised before the next opportunity waddles in. 🦆

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been feeling flat, discouraged, or questioning yourself lately, I really want you to know this:

It’s not just you.

The job market genuinely is slower right now.

But slower does not mean impossible.

This is your reminder not to wait until the perfect job appears before you start preparing yourself for it.

Get ready now.

Because when the right opportunity does come along, you want to be in a position where you can confidently say:

“Yep. I’m ready for this.”

Want Support With Your Next Career Move?

If you want help getting clear on your next step, strengthening your applications, improving your interview confidence, or making sure your strategy actually matches the current market, I’d love to support you.

Book a free 15-minute chat with Jo Macdonald Careers to talk through where you’re at and where you’d like to go next.

No pressure. No awkward sales pitch. Just a real conversation.