Three words job-seekers need to hear: “It’s not you.”

As we approach the end of 2025, job-seekers in Victoria are facing an unusual and challenging landscape. From record state debt and rising taxes to shifting investment and the accelerating pace of automation, many experienced professionals are wondering: What happened?

The truth is, it’s not you — the barriers are largely external. Recognising this frees you to act strategically, not emotionally.

The perfect storm

Victoria’s labour market has been hit by multiple crosswinds at once.

• Business confidence is waning. With higher operating costs, tighter capital, and fewer new investments, many organisations have stalled or downsized.
• Technology and automation are transforming work. Roles once thought safe — in banking, finance, law, accounting, even HR — are being redesigned or replaced. Jobs and Skills Australia ( https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/studies/generative-artificial-intelligence-capacity-study/our-gen-ai-transition-exposure ) reports that administrative and clerical roles are among the most exposed to automation.
• AI adoption is accelerating. Generative AI agents are now performing first-order tasks once done by entry-level staff. Graduates and coordinators alike are discovering that “assistants” aren’t always human anymore.
• Immigration and remote work are changing the talent pool. With more people entering Australia in the last three years, and hybrid work dissolving City and Regional Centre’s borders, competition for each role has intensified.
• Job availability has dropped. The Victorian Labour Market Dashboard recorded a –16.2% decline in job ads in the year to April 2025 — fewer openings, more applicants.

All of this has created a perfect storm: industry stalling, confidence falling, and new jobs emerging more slowly than expected. If you’re on the market, even with experience and a strong track record, it’s not unusual for the search to stretch beyond six months.

It’s not you — it’s the market

If you’re finding it harder than ever to land your ideal role, know that the challenge isn’t a reflection of your worth or ability. It’s the environment. But there are ways to respond.

Five ways to stay competitive

1. Think nationally (or regionally). Your next role may not be in Victoria. Other states — such as Western Australia and Queensland — are still hiring strongly in sectors like infrastructure, health, and resources.

Mick’s Story — Moving Where the Work Is

Consider Mick. Neurodiverse and highly capable, he discovered early that he had a natural talent for security work.

Despite applying for hundreds of roles in Victoria, he kept hitting dead ends. Then, after researching demand across the country, Mick made the decision to relocate to Western Australia, where skilled security workers were in short supply.

Almost immediately, he was snapped up by an employer who valued his focus and reliability. What one state saw as “oversupply,” another saw as “opportunity.” The same person, the same skills — just a different environment.

The takeaway: Sometimes success isn’t about changing you — it’s about changing where you look.

2. Become tech-enabled. A PwC Australia report (https://www.pwc.com.au/media/2025/pwc-2025-global-ai-jobs-barometer.html) found that AI literacy and digital capability are now among the top emerging skills employers value. Learn how to use AI tools to enhance productivity and showcase that adaptability.

3. Pivot to people-centric roles. Jobs in health, aged care, trades, and personal services remain in demand and less exposed to automation.

4. Leverage your local knowledge. Understanding Australian standards, regulations, and context is a major advantage — especially against international competition.

5. Be patient but proactive. Temporary or stop-gap work in retail, tourism, or hospitality can keep income flowing and confidence high while the broader economy steadies.

Ashleigh’s Story — Turning Pause into Progress

Consider Ashleigh (name changed). After an extensive career in Sales, Marketing and Events Management, she chose to leave her employer mid-last year to pause and reassess.

When she was ready to re-enter the market, opportunities in her field had all but vanished. Rather than waiting anxiously, Ashleigh took a different approach — she shop-dropped.

She visited stores in her neighbourhood, asking if they needed casual staff. By October, she’d secured a retail job, providing income, structure, and renewed purpose. She kept applying for roles in her field, and by January she was back in her professional lane. That short detour gave her confidence, energy, and fresh perspective — qualities that helped her shine in interviews.

The takeaway: Sometimes the best way forward is sideways. Staying active and visible can make all the difference while the economy resets.

Looking ahead

This moment in Victoria’s job market is testing. But it’s also transitional. According to the Victorian Skills Authority (https://www.vic.gov.au/employment-projections-dashboard) projections show over 168,000 new jobs will be expected in the state over the next three years (plus 224,000 due to replacement demand), recovery will come — slowly, but surely.

Until then, job-seekers who stay agile, tech-aware, and open to movement will have the edge.

Your move

If you’ve been applying, networking, and showing up without results, remember: it’s not you. The system is shifting beneath us all.

So ask yourself…”What one shift could you make today to become a stronger contender in tomorrow’s job market?”