The Rhino Report: October 2025

The October Job Market is Getting Spooky. Vacancies are falling, competition is rising, and graduates face a chilling outlook. But behind the scary headlines, green jobs and skills-based hiring are opening fresh doors. Find out where the real opportunities are hiding this month.

UK Job Vacancies Fall for 38th Consecutive Month

The UK labour market has hit a new record: job vacancies have now fallen for the 38th consecutive quarter, down by 10,000 to 728,000 between June and August 2025 (ONS). That means there are now 67,000 fewer vacancies than before the pandemic.

Healthcare and retail saw some of the steepest drops, with construction vacancies down nearly 25% year-on-year. For businesses, this means that recruitment is becoming increasingly competitive across various industries. For candidates, it’s worth exploring where opportunities still exist. Check out our guide on the most in-demand jobs for 2025.

What this means: Job seekers should target sectors that are still actively hiring, such as technology and healthcare, while employers must refine their job offers to stand out in a smaller pool of vacancies. This data highlights how the market is shifting from abundance to scarcity in available roles.

With supply outpacing demand, businesses that make swift hiring decisions are more likely to secure the best talent.

Unemployment and Job Competition

Unemployment in the UK has crept up to 4.7%, with 1.74 million people now out of work (ONS). That means there are now 2.3 people competing for every vacancy, compared to just 1.7 a year ago.

This cooling market gives employers more choice, but it also raises the stakes for candidates. Standing out requires tailoring applications, strengthening your CV, and utilising resources like our AI in job search guide.

What this means: Job seekers need to refine their applications and prioritise quality over quantity, while employers have a broader candidate pool but must be cautious not to delay decisions and lose talent. The ratio indicates that, although opportunities are tighter, there is still movement in the market.

These shifts underscore the need for both parties to strike a balance between speed and precision in the hiring process.

Hot Job Opportunities This Month

🔧 Multi-Skilled Engineer – Newport – £38,000 + Overtime

Rhino Recruitment is seeking a Multi-Skilled Engineer to join a supportive team in Newport. This full-time role offers variety, development opportunities, and structured hours with early Friday finishes.

👉 Click here for all the details.

📐 Senior Quantity Surveyor – Caerphilly – £60,000 to £70,000 DOE

Rhino Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join a leading groundworks and civil engineering team in Caerphilly. This full-time role offers progression within a well-established commercial department.

👉 Click here for all the details.

📂 Project Manager – Remote – £49,000 per annum

Rhino Recruitment is hiring an experienced Project Manager to join a national Design & Projects team. This remote role covers UK-wide projects, leading catering design and installation from concept to completion.

👉 Click here for all the details.

⚖️ Locum Commercial Lawyer (Property) – Cardiff – £150–£250 per Day

Rhino Recruitment is seeking a Locum Commercial Lawyer (Property) for a contract in Cardiff, with potential to go permanent. This role involves advising clients on commercial and property matters within a busy legal practice.

👉 Click here for all the details.

Graduate Job Market in October

Graduates are finding this autumn’s job market particularly tough. Media headlines have suggested that AI is taking entry-level jobs, but experts say the real issue is the broader economy, not technology (Observer).

In fact, data show that graduate employment rates remain higher than those for non-graduates. The challenge is that competition per role has skyrocketed, with some employers receiving 140 applications for each job. For graduates, it’s vital to focus on quality applications over volume. Tools like AI can help structure CVs and cover letters, but employers are still looking for the human touch.

What this means: Graduates should prioritise persistence and networking, using AI carefully as a support tool rather than a replacement. Employers who maintain strong graduate pipelines now may gain loyalty and access to fresh talent in a challenging market.

For more context, revisit last month’s Rhino Report September 2025 to see how hiring trends have shifted over the past few weeks.

What Employers Want Now

Employers are increasingly turning to skills-based hiring. Research shows that 77% of UK employers use skills tests, with many dropping degree requirements for roles (Onrec).

At the same time, 61% of companies are using AI in their hiring processes, and most report an improvement in efficiency. For job seekers, this means showcasing technical and soft skills is now more important than simply listing qualifications. For businesses, it means adapting recruitment strategies to attract candidates who might not follow traditional career paths.

What this means: Job seekers should highlight both hard and soft skills, tailoring applications to demonstrate adaptability. Employers should reconsider job advertisements to avoid excluding strong candidates who may not meet every traditional qualification criterion.

Want to know which roles are rising fastest? Check out the most in-demand jobs for 2025.

UK Pay Growth vs Inflation: What Workers Really Take Home

Pay packets are growing, but not as fast as inflation. Average regular pay rose 4.8% year-on-year; however, real pay growth, adjusted for inflation, was just 0.7% (ONS).

Public sector workers saw stronger growth at 5.6%, compared with 4.7% in the private sector. For many households, the reality is that wages are being stretched thin by rising costs. This pay squeeze is driving some workers towards side hustles or second jobs, a trend we explore later in this report.

What this means: Job seekers are right to be cautious about take-home pay, as advertised salaries may not reflect living costs. Employers should be aware that pay alone may not be enough to retain staff; offering flexibility and support benefits is increasingly valuable.

These figures highlight why both employers and job seekers must weigh total value, not pay alone, when making decisions.

Hybrid Work, Stress and Side Hustles: The Generational Divide

Hybrid working is now mainstream, with nearly 28% of working adults splitting their time between home and office (ONS). Yet the flexibility hasn’t entirely erased stress: a 2025 burnout report found that 91% of adults experienced high stress, with 18–24-year-olds most likely to take sick leave due to mental health issues (Mental Health UK).

Meanwhile, 21% of UK workers now hold multiple jobs or “side hustles”, rising to 42% among Gen Z (Business Money). The pressure of rising costs is reshaping how different generations approach work-life balance.

What this means: For job seekers, demonstrating resilience and flexibility is crucial, while employers should prioritise mental health support to keep staff engaged. The rise of side hustles also signals that workers value financial security over ambition.

The rise of side hustles highlights how financial security is now a core driver of career choices across younger workers.

Green Jobs and Sustainability Careers

The green economy continues to expand. The UK had around 691,000 green jobs in 2023, up 35% since 2015, and demand keeps growing (ONS). Renewable energy, waste management, and energy-efficient products are leading the charge, with advertised salaries averaging £45,980, around £8,000 above the UK median.

Young people are particularly enthusiastic, with 85% of 18–to 24-year-olds wanting to pursue green careers. For employers, offering sustainability-focused roles is now a powerful recruitment tool. For candidates, it’s a reminder that the jobs of the future are already here.

What this means: Job seekers can gain an edge by pursuing training in sustainability skills. At the same time, employers who invest in green roles may benefit from higher retention and stronger brand reputation. These figures confirm that green jobs are no longer a niche but a central part of the UK economy.

Candidates who upskill in renewable energy and green technologies will position themselves at the forefront of future demand.

A Frightening Outlook or Just Market Shadows?

With vacancies down, unemployment up, and wages squeezed, it’s easy to think the UK is heading into a recruitment recession. But is the situation really as scary as it seems?

The latest REC Labour Market Tracker suggests many employers are pausing hiring, not cancelling it. Sectors such as healthcare, law, and logistics continue to show strong demand.

This Halloween season, the shadows on the jobs market may look frightening, but the fundamentals remain solid. Recruitment is shifting, not vanishing, and those who adapt will thrive. For more on downturn resilience, read our piece on the recruitment recession.

What this means: Job seekers should avoid panic and stay proactive, while employers should view this as an opportunity to plan more effectively rather than freeze activity. The data shows hiring is slowing, not collapsing, which makes now the time to prepare for the next upswing.

These patterns point to a cycle, not a collapse, meaning resilience and preparation are the real advantages in today’s market.

Final Thoughts

The October jobs market shows signs of strain, but also of resilience. Vacancies are down, unemployment is up, yet skills-based hiring and green careers are opening new doors. For job seekers, the challenge is to stay focused and adaptable. For employers, the task is to attract talent with more than salaries alone.

Thank you for reading The Rhino Report. Stay tuned for next month’s edition, where we’ll continue to break down the numbers and provide insights you can use.