Serve up an ace – land your perfect role
As Wimbledon gets underway, the ace all job seekers are hoping for is an offer letter. The job market is tough right now, however, and it is easy to feel demoralised when applications seem to disappear into a void. You are not imagining it. Unemployment has risen, more people are actively looking for work, and companies are hiring less, whilst candidate supply continues to grow. UK employers have slowed or delayed hiring decisions due to rising employment costs, making the process feel slower and more opaque than ever.
But even the best players at Wimbledon will lose sets, face double faults, and need to dig deep to turn a match around. What separates them is preparation, placement, reading your opponent – the market, and of course, having the right team in their corner. The same is true of a successful job search.
Your first serve: make the most of working with us
The single biggest advantage you have over candidates applying independently is us. Blunt, arbitrary application culling (applications discarded after a certain time of day, or on a particular day of the week), and AI-driven filtering can quietly screen out strong candidates before a human ever sees their CV. Do not lose heart, this is a fault in the system, not a reflection of your ability.
When you come through Joyce Guiness, you bypass this entirely. We are your first serve: well-placed, well-timed, and backed by real knowledge of the court.
One of our candidates was recently getting nowhere through direct applications. The minute we spoke to her, we knew she was a great fit and were able to actively sell her strengths to our client base. She found a role almost immediately. That is what a good agency does: we know our clients, we know what they want (which can be different from what the job ad says in black and white), and we can put you forward with the context and credibility that a CV alone cannot provide.
Whilst we cannot promise to respond to every application, we do look at every CV that comes to our attention – so click here to get in touch or explore our latest jobs. Our experience allows us to see through the words and assess whether there is a potential match with the kinds of roles and clients we hire for.
Read the court: shift your search strategy
Ready to serve? The right strategy can transform your 2026 job search.
Target growing companies, not just well-known ones. Smaller businesses often have faster hiring processes and less competition. Tools like GrowthList.co hold registers of recently funded startups. Keep an eye on business news too; if you like the look of what a company is doing, get in touch, or let us know and we can explore whether there is hiring potential.
- Think beyond job titles. We are seeing a shift, with roles such as Office Manager and Team Assistant evolving into Workplace or Team Coordinator. If your skills are transferable, we will help you frame them in the right way. That said, our sector tends to be specific about previous job titles and experience closely matching the traditional understanding of a role, so it is important your CV best showcases the skills required for the positions you are targeting
- Tell your network you are looking. Roles are still frequently filled through pre-endorsed connections. A quiet post or a message to former colleagues can open doors that job boards never would.
Your second serve: make applications work harder
In tennis, the second serve is not an afterthought; it is a chance to place the ball precisely and keep yourself in the match. The same applies to your follow-up.
- We can provide guidance on adjusting your CV – see tips here – to highlight the right skills and align it with the roles you are applying for.
- If applying directly, write a short, specific cover letter that references something concrete from the job ad. Then follow up five to seven days later. A well-timed email can put you at the top of an inbox at exactly the moment decisions are being made.
- When applying via Joyce Guiness, share any direct applications you have already made so we can avoid duplication and give you the best possible chance with each client.
Build your visibility: make the crowd take notice
Candidates who offer a clear and realistic picture of their skills and working style are better positioned to attract the right opportunities. Visibility matters.
- Keep your LinkedIn profile current, synced with your CV, and specific. Recruiters are actively searching.
- Write a short LinkedIn post or article about something you know or do well. It signals credibility and attracts attention.
- Gather one or two fresh recommendations from recent colleagues or managers.
- If you have a gap or want to demonstrate current skills, a small freelance project or volunteer role can make a real difference
Consider short-term options: stay in the game
Match point: look after yourself
