Unemployed for 6 Months now
The UK job market right now is brutal. I have solid experience in Real Estate Credit, mainly in Portfolio Management, and have been unable to land a job. I have even broadened my search to encompass Debt asset management and IR. Even the feedback I have received is borderline gaslighting.
It feels like I’m either overqualified for standard associate roles or underqualified for VP-level positions. And it’s frustrating because I haven’t just been sitting around doing nothing — I’ve been consulting and keeping active.
This whole process is really taking a toll on my mental health. I’d love any advice or tips or any intel if a fund is hiring from people who’ve been through something similar or are in a role or just any advice on what I’m doing wrong
Any introductions would also be appreicated.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some actionable tips and advice to help you navigate this challenging period in the UK real estate job market:
1. Leverage Your Network Strategically
2. Tailor Your Applications
3. Expand Your Skill Set
4. Consider Smaller Firms or Niche Roles
5. Mental Health and Resilience
6. Feedback and Self-Reflection
7. Stay Visible
The job market can be brutal, but persistence and adaptability are key. Keep pushing forward, and don’t hesitate to lean on your network and resources like WSO for support. You’ve got this!
Sources: Real Estate Opportunity For Civil Engineers, Real Estate Asset/Portfolio Management Tips and Tools, Real Estate Megathread - The Best RE Posts on WSO, Real Estate Q&A, best way to understand careers in real estate
Don’t know much about London in particular, but your story wouldn’t surprise me in the States. You can consider business school, but ultimately the answer is to just keep looking.
At the moment I’m suffering from a bit of “overqualified for X, under-qualified for Y,” albeit for different reasons, and there is truly nothing more frustrating—especially if you aren’t wrapped up in ego and would happily take the “lesser” role for a bit to prove yourself. Companies, especially HR/recruiters, are annoyingly risk adverse, and hell, that’s if a human being is even the one judging your resume and not an error-prone chatbot.
The biggest problem you are facing is that you are undoubtedly not alone: thousands of people just like you are all competing for the few new roles that exist. There’s some solidarity in that too even if it feels hollow. It’s not you; it’s the market.
I would sign up for business school but im fast running low on cash and just dont have the financial means to put myself through it. Its why i have started consulting.
I’ve wondered if hiring managers might hold biases against experienced candidates. After passing modeling tests and completing multiple interview stages, it can feel like there are still hurdles placed in my path. I could be speculating, it feels that at times, hiring managers are looking for a reason to not progress my application. i have a solid resume, i have worked for leading Funds, but alas the job market is making me pull out my hair.
I speak to recruiters and HR professionals all the time, the market isn't' great. But there are roles; there are just too many candidates after a relatively large amount of lay-offs.
My mental health also took a toll, the gym and running saved me. I lost 20 lbs in less than one year due to sport and a new diet while I wasn't working. It made me so much happier and look much better. When I was in an interview the guy said "oh, clearly you work out" and they hired me.
thanks appreciate the tips... can say i have started working out more frequently, Just as a way of balancing my mental state and looking for an out for built up frustration
We eventually left the UK behind. It wasn't just the economy, which started to crumble a while ago.
It was the antisocial behavior on the high streets, the high cost of living, it was the steadily rising crime rates, and the overall attitude people had towards each other. In less than six months we had several car parts stolen, my gf was harassed on the street (in broad daylight), more and more friends lost their jobs and then their marriages, and the public outlook/politics also changed quickly. If something happens in the UK, you are usually left to fend for yourself. There is nobody there to help you with anything.
It's sad what happened to a beautiful country.
I still believe that the British market is great for:
People on low incomes as the social framework will lift you up (I know loads of single moms who get the council flat and food for free)
Wanting to be full-time/permanent and in a struggling industry or area is not the best right now. It's really hard to find a job in London. And outside of London it might be impossible.
The UK market is competitive; to find the right fit, continue networking, expand your horizons, and ask for introductions.
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