The Rhino Report – April 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of The Rhino Report.

Each month, we break down what’s actually happening in the UK job market. Not the headlines, but the patterns underneath them. The ones shaping how people get hired, how roles are structured, and why some positions move quickly while others stall.

Why Does It Feel Harder to Get a Response?

If you’ve been applying for roles and hearing nothing back, you’re not imagining it.

A big part of that comes down to something most people don’t see straight away. Ghost jobs.

These are roles that look live but aren’t actively being filled. Some are used to build pipelines. Others test salary expectations or create the impression of growth.

Estimates suggest 20% to 40% of listings may fall into this category

That changes how the market feels. You can be applying consistently and still feel like nothing is moving. Over time, that creates uncertainty around which roles are actually worth your time.

The Market Is Active, But It’s Not Moving Quickly

When you step back and look at the data, things don’t look so dramatic.

There are still around 721,000 vacancies across the UK, which means employers are hiring. However, that figure is lower than it was last year, and there are now more people competing for each role. (ONS labour market data)

That’s where the slowdown comes from. It’s not a lack of jobs. It’s a mix of higher competition and more cautious hiring decisions.

This graph helps show the bigger picture. Vacancy numbers have levelled off in recent months, rather than continuing to fall. The market is holding steady, but it hasn’t picked up pace again yet.

People Are Thinking More Practically About Jobs

Another shift this month is more personal.

People are thinking more carefully about how a job fits into their day-to-day life, not only what it looks like on paper.

Commute is a big part of that.

The average UK commute is around 59 minutes per day, which adds up to roughly six working weeks each year spent travelling That’s time people are starting to weigh properly.

Some candidates are choosing shorter commutes over higher salaries. Others are stepping away from roles early if the travel doesn’t feel manageable long term. It’s a practical decision, but it’s having a big impact on hiring.

Interviews Are Becoming More Balanced

Interviews feel slightly different now as well.

Candidates are asking clearer questions and looking for more detail before they commit. They want to understand what the role actually involves, not only what the job description says.

What does a typical day look like? What are the expectations after the first few months? How is workload managed in practice? These conversations are happening earlier and more often.

At the same time, more candidates are stepping away at later stages if something doesn’t feel right That shows a shift in mindset.

It’s not about getting any offer. It’s about deciding whether the role is genuinely right.

Jobs Are Still Growing, But Carefully

There is still movement in the market.

Total workforce jobs have risen slightly to 36.6 million, which shows businesses are still maintaining and adding to their teams where needed. (ONS jobs data)

This graph works well here because it shows that overall job numbers are still stable.

However, that growth is not spread evenly across every sector. Some areas, like construction, are still active and creating opportunities. Others are moving more slowly or holding steady. That’s why the market can feel strong in one place and quiet in another.

Closing Thought

The biggest changes in recruitment rarely arrive all at once. They show up in small ways.

An application that gets no response. A role that looks good but isn’t worth the commute. An interview that feels more like a conversation than a test. Put together, those moments explain the market.

See you next month.