According to the latest Greenhouse 2025 Workforce & Hiring Report, workers in the UK and Ireland are navigating a tricky landscape – one marked by intense competition, salary mismatches and a growing reliance on AI.

So, how do jobseekers really feel right now? And what can recruiters learn from their frustrations? Let’s dig into the job market trends shaping the UK and Ireland this year.

Confidence is holding, but competition is fierce

Jobseekers in Ireland are strikingly confident about their prospects, while those in the UK are a bit more reserved. But across both regions, there’s one thing everyone agrees on: the job market trends show a tough crowd. Even those who feel optimistic admit they’re up against steep odds.

• 69% of Irish jobseekers feel confident about the current job market
• 56% of UK jobseekers say the same – higher than the 44% in the US
• 68% in the UK say the market is “highly competitive”
• Only 7% of all candidates think the market favours jobseekers

So, while hope exists, especially in Ireland, it’s clear that finding a role still takes grit.

AI is changing the game – and making it more confusing

From prepping for interviews to automating applications, AI has entered the chat. But with few clear rules from employers, jobseekers are left guessing what’s allowed – and where the ethical line is. While AI tools are helping candidates prepare, the uncertainty is creating new anxiety.

• 50% of UK jobseekers and 42% of Irish jobseekers use AI for interview prep
• 25% of UK jobseekers and 23% of Irish jobseekers feel AI has made it much harder to stand out, due to increased competition
• Very few candidates feel it’s totally acceptable to use AI during live interviews (9% in UK, 12% in Ireland)
• Almost one-third of candidates in each market say they’ve never seen an employer policy on this: UK 28%, IRE 33%, US 27%

These recruitment trends show that there’s clearly a need for more guidance and transparency from employers here.

Salary expectations are still way off

Picture this: you finally land a job offer … and it’s thousands below what was advertised. It’s a common story in the UK and Ireland, where salary mismatches are frustrating candidates across every generation. It’s not just about money – it’s about feeling misled.

• 40% of UK candidates stated that pay expectations didn’t match the salary range offered
• Misalignment was also clear for benefits packages, with UK (34%) and Irish (28%) candidates stating they were less comprehensive than promised

In Ireland, nearly half (46%) of Gen Z candidates report that the benefits package was less comprehensive than initially presented, highlighting how younger workers are especially likely to feel let down by vague or inflated job descriptions.

The takeaway? Pay transparency and honest job descriptions could go a long way towards improving candidate trust.

Poor communication is still hurting the candidate experience

Despite all the advances in hiring tech, many companies are still making basic mistakes – chief among them: failing to communicate. Ghosting continues to be a widespread issue, sending the message that candidate experience is still an afterthought.

In the UK, more than half of jobseekers say they’ve been ghosted after an interview:

• 56% of UK candidates report being ghosted
• That number jumps to 66% in Ireland

And younger candidates are feeling it the most:

• In the UK, 71% of Gen Z candidates say they’ve been ignored after an interview – that’s
  significantly higher than Millennials (59%), Gen X (49%) and Boomers (54%)

Being left in the dark after investing time and effort into the hiring process isn’t just frustrating – it tells candidates their time isn’t valued. Companies may hold the upper hand right now, but that’s exactly why candidate experience matters. Poor communication erodes trust, damages employer brand and makes it harder to attract top talent when it counts.

The job market in the UK and Ireland may be tough, but the path forward is clearer than it seems. Candidates are adapting, AI is evolving, and expectations are shifting fast. For employers, this is an opportunity – not just to fill roles, but to build trust, clarity and connection back into the hiring process. With better communication, more transparency and smarter tools, a fairer and more human hiring experience is within reach.

Want to see the full picture? Download the full Greenhouse 2025 Workforce & Hiring Report (top right corner of this page) to explore today’s most pressing job market trends – and how employers can better connect with top talent.