“You feel like you’re not enough.”
That’s how Sara described her job search. She’s not alone.
Beneath headlines of rising unemployment, stalled pay, and according to the Office for National Statistics’ July 2025 report, the fewest job vacancies in a decade, there’s a deeper crisis unfolding. For thousands of women across the UK, finding work isn’t just harder, it’s a confusing, exhausting, and demoralising battle that data alone can’t fully capture.
More applications, fewer offers
Women supported by Smart Works are applying for more jobs than ever, an average of 38 in 2024, up from 32 in 2023 and 28 in 2022, and yet their chances of success are shrinking according to our latest unemployment index. A staggering 27% applied for over 50 roles without success. This relentless effort often forces women to take jobs below their goals, give up family time, and deal with long, complicated application processes, including tests, virtual interviews, and AI screening, that many find confusing and unfair. A former Smart Works client, Ashleigh, reflected: “You could be more than qualified for the job, but if you don’t have the right keywords, you’re not going to get through.” The rise of technology in recruitment, while efficient, often leaves applicants feeling invisible, powerless, and disheartened.
Confidence under threat
The emotional cost is significant. 60% of clients felt less confident after applying for jobs, up from 56% last year, with those feeling ‘much less confident’ increasing as well. Younger women and those with disabilities are especially vulnerable to this confidence decline, a critical concern, since confidence directly influences interview performance and resilience.
“You start out thinking that it’ll be fine... Then it goes on, and on, and on… and the hope just slowly starts seeping away.” Victoria
Inequality remains a barrier
While headline figures suggest a level playing field, our data uncovers persistent disparities. Despite applying and interviewing at similar rates, ethnic minority women are less likely to secure jobs than white women. For the first time, women with disabilities are significantly less likely to get a job than those without. These gaps reflect ongoing biases many of our clients experience first-hand.
“I spent a lot of time questioning whether I was doing something wrong. Whether it was my age, or to do with the colour of my skin, or because I’m a woman... I start to wonder, what is it about me that isn’t right?” Ashleigh
Making a difference
At Smart Works, we see the stories behind the stats every day. Women like Ashleigh, who after 10 years in a sector faced months of rejection and hard-to-understand AI hurdles before finally securing work, often only through personal connections. Or Victoria, a graduate whose confidence was shattered by endless rejections until our support helped her succeed.
Our data shows that 67% of clients secure a job within a month of their Smart Works appointment, demonstrating how tailored, compassionate support focused on confidence and preparation can turn the tide for women locked out of the labour market.
“You get smaller and smaller with every ‘No’ you get. You feel like you’re not enough.” Sara
The path ahead
The UK jobs market slowdown is more than an economic issue, it’s a social one, affecting families and futures. Addressing this requires:
Jess Beider, Director of Programmes and Operations at Smart Works, sums it up:
“Our unique insight into unemployed women’s experiences reveals a job market that’s not only more competitive, but less accessible, making for a dispiriting experience for candidates. As opportunities shrink, compassionate, effective support is more vital than ever. Combining data, lived experience, and action is the only way to build a fairer labour market for all.”