How to Navigate the Job Market in 2025–2026: Practical Advice for Job Seekers

-
Image
 The job market at the turn of 2025 and 2026 looks very different from what many job seekers remember. Recruitment processes are longer, competition is stronger and technology plays a much bigger role in how candidates are screened and selected. For many people, job searching feels more demanding, more automated, and emotionally exhausting. At the same time, employers still look for real people with clear skills, good communication, and the ability to explain their value. Understanding how the market works today can make the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward with confidence. What Has Changed in the Job Market in 2025–2026 Across global markets, job seekers report that hiring processes take significantly longer than before. It is common for recruitment cycles to last several months, with multiple interview stages and long periods of silence between them. Many candidates experience frustration when they receive little or no feedback after interviews, a phenomenon of...
Post a Comment

Job Interviews in 2025–2026: Global Trends and Practical Business English Tips for Job Seekers

-

 

We'll start with a Small Reminder and a Thank You 🙂


Because many of you asked for it, we’ve put together everything we discussed across several episodes into one place. And you can now download our free e-book here:


Link 👉 Job Interview Success — a practical e-book that helps you:


structure your interview answers,

speak more confidently in English,

understand what recruiters are really listening for.


If you’ve been waiting for a summary - this is it.


A lot of time has passed since our last episode and blog post and honestly, it’s incredible to see what happened in the meantime.


What still amazes us is that this podcast and blog are listened to all over the world.

Most of our listeners come from Poland, followed by Brazil, Japan, Vietnam and Turkey, but the truth is: people tune in from many different countries.


That’s why this post is not about one local job market.

It’s about global trends, real interview expectations, and practical Business English skills that matter if you’re looking for a job at the turn of 2025 - 2026.


And yes - this post is also closely connected to job interviews, speaking, and communication, because how you speak about your experience often matters more than what’s written on your CV.


The Global Job Market at the Turn of 2025 - 2026

🎧 You can also listen to this topic on our podcast.

The full episode is available on Spotify:

👉 Business English Talks 


Across the world, the job market is going through a transition phase.


After several years of rapid change, many companies are now:


hiring more selectively,


running longer recruitment processes,


focusing strongly on communication skills, adaptability, and problem-solving.



This is true whether you are applying in Europe, Asia, or Latin America.


At the same time:


remote and hybrid work are still very common,


international teams are the norm rather than the exception,


English remains the main working language in global companies.



👉 This means interviews are more competitive - but also more international.



What Has Changed in Job Interviews (Globally)


1. Interviews Are Less About Titles, More About Stories


Recruiters across countries are asking fewer generic questions and more behavioral and situational questions, such as:


Tell me about a challenge you faced.


Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly.


How do you communicate in difficult situations?


They want to hear:


clear structure,


concrete examples,


confident but natural English.



2. Communication Skills Are a Key Differentiator


In global recruitment, Business English is not about perfect grammar.


It’s about:


clarity,


logic,


confidence,


and the ability to explain your thinking.



Many candidates lose opportunities not because they lack skills - but because they can’t explain their skills well enough in English.


3. Interviews Are More Conversational - But Still Strategic


Modern interviews often feel more relaxed, but this is deceptive.


You are still expected to:


answer clearly,


stay on topic,


support your answers with examples,


show awareness of the company and role.



Casual tone ≠ casual preparation.


Trends in Key Listener Regions (Short Overview)


Without going into statistics, some patterns are visible across regions:


Poland – strong competition, international projects, English required even for local roles.


Brazil – growing global collaboration, English as a gateway to better roles.


Japan – stable market, but interviews demand precision and structure.


Vietnam – fast-growing tech and outsourcing sector, English increasingly important.


Turkey – dynamic market, strong demand for communication and adaptability.



Despite cultural differences, interview expectations are becoming more similar globally.


What Really Helps in Job Interviews in 2025–2026


1. Prepare Your Core Interview Answers in English


You should be able to confidently answer questions like:


Why do you want to work here?


What are your strengths and weaknesses?


What is your biggest professional achievement?



Not memorized - but well-structured and practiced.


2. Learn to Speak in Examples, Not Generalities


Instead of:


> I’m good at communication.


Say:


> In my previous role, I regularly worked with international teams and had to explain complex ideas clearly during meetings.


Specific = convincing.


3. Focus on Structure When You Speak


A simple structure works everywhere:


context,


action,


result.



This makes your English sound more professional — even if it’s not perfect.


4. Don’t Underestimate the “Why” Questions


Questions starting with why are among the hardest - and the most important.


That’s exactly why my most popular episode was about answering: “Why do you want to work here?”


It’s not about passion alone - it’s about alignment, value, and communication.


Job Interviews Are Still About One Thing: How You Present Yourself


Across all markets, one thing is clear:


> Your skills may get you an interview.

Your communication gets you the job.


That’s why preparation matters so much - especially in English.


And finally:

Thank you for listening, reading, and coming back - whether you’re in Poland, Brazil, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, or anywhere else in the world.


You’re the reason this blog exists.


business english, job interviews, job search, career advice, global job market, job market 2025, job market 2026, professional english, interview skills, working abroad, international careers, english for work, career development, podcast



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

52: English for Job Interviews. 1: How to Talk About Your Responsibilities – Clearly and Professionally

-
Image
  In almost every job interview, you’ll be asked about your previous work experience – and more specifically, what you were responsible for. Many people answer this with: > “I did this… I worked there… I had to do that…” But these phrases are too general or too casual. Let’s look at how to describe your responsibilities in a way that’s clear, professional, and natural – and how to avoid sounding too basic or vague. ✅ 1. The go-to structure: “I was responsible for…” This is a safe, professional and flexible phrase. You can use it in almost any context. Examples: I was responsible for managing customer accounts. I was responsible for training new employees and answering client emails. I was responsible for scheduling meetings and preparing reports. Why we like it: It’s clear, easy to expand, and sounds professional. ✅ 2. Useful alternatives to add variety You don’t want to repeat the same phrase in every answer. Try using some of these alternatives: I handled... I handled customer...
Read more

Mastering Small Talk with the FORD Method: Exploring "Occupation" (O)

-
Image
  When it comes to small talk, asking about someone’s job or work is often the easiest and safest way to start a conversation. Work is a common topic that people are comfortable discussing, and it naturally opens up opportunities for follow-up questions and deeper connections. In this post, we’ll explore the "O" for Occupation part of the FORD method (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams). You’ll find useful questions, natural phrases, example dialogues, and tips to match the tone to every situation. Why Talking About Occupation Works Safe & Familiar: Most people are comfortable discussing their work. Opens Doors: Work often connects to other topics like interests, goals, or travel. Universal: No matter the culture, people work, study, or pursue careers. Occupation-Related Small Talk Questions Formal Settings: These work well in professional meetings, networking events, or conferences: “What line of work are you in?” “How did you get started in your field?” “What’s the ...
Read more

54: How to Talk About Your Strengths and Weaknesses in a Job Interview – Business English Tips

-
Image
  Welcome back to Business English Talks, your resource for professional English you can actually use. This is part three of our Job Interview Series, and today we’re focusing on a classic but tricky question: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” This question is almost guaranteed to come up in one form or another, and it's your chance to show self-awareness, professionalism, and confidence. ✅ Why do interviewers ask this question? They want to know: If you understand your value and your limits. Whether you are honest and realistic. How you deal with challenges or mistakes. What strengths you bring to their company. 💪 Talking About Strengths Focus on professional qualities that are relevant to the job. Choose 1–3 and support each with a quick example. 🌟 Useful Phrases: One of my strengths is... I’m good at... I’m known for being... I’ve always been strong in... My colleagues often say I’m... I consistently receive positive feedback on... I have a natural ability to... 💼 Exa...
Read more