New Job On Your Mind? Let This Be Your Warning To Start Looking Now
If a new job is on your list of priorities for 2025, maybe start shopping now — because you probably won’t find one ‘til next year. Bad data points from the job market have compounded in recent reports, meaning that it might be best to start your search for a new gig now, not later.
- This week, the BLS reported that the economy added nearly 1M fewer jobs in the 12 months preceding Mar. 2025 — old news that offers clues the job market has been weak for a while.
- Adding to job fears, initial claims hit their highest in nearly four years this week, as 263K people filed for jobless benefits — and the average duration of unemployment rose to 24.5 weeks.
If you’re in line, stay in line: If you’re currently employed, maybe don’t quit it to ‘pursue your dreams.’ Job openings have plummeted, now falling below the number of people searching for work. There are currently 7.18M jobs per the JOLTs report — the majority in professional and business services (1.06M), trade/transport/utilities (1.02M), and leisure & hospitality (1.01M).
And mind you, the actual number might be lower, as critics claim ‘ghost jobs’ are still very alive. And maybe don’t let your boss know you’re not loving your 9-to-5; layoffs seem to be ticking up, too.