The go-go hiring days of 2022 and 2023, when there were nearly two openings for every job seeker, are in the rearview mirror. But there will be enough jobs in 2025.
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics cables kept optimism about a surge in the workforce in the coming months. The economy added 256,000 jobs in December, the Labor Department reported Friday, exceeding expectations. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%.
Although it’s still early in the new year, business leaders’ confidence could translate into a hiring boost in the coming months.
I reached out to a handful of experts for their insights on what this all means for job seekers and the best ways to navigate the hiring landscape.
“It is likely to be noticeably more difficult and time-consuming to find a job today than it would be in 2022,” Cory Stahle, labor economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, told Yahoo Finance. “But we are entering a labor market where there are still many opportunities.”
Demand for workers in healthcare, construction, government and manufacturing is high, while white-collar positions in the financial and technology sectors – such as software development and data science, marketing and professional services – are harder to come by, Stahle says.
There are also great jobs that you may not have thought about yet. Six in 10 of LinkedIn’s ‘Jobs on the Rise’ showcase ‘the evolving world of work and emerging opportunities that job seekers may not have considered before’. The list tracks the fastest growing positions.
The positions include artificial intelligence engineer, artificial intelligence consultant and physiotherapist. Workforce development managers, who design and implement training programs to upskill employees, are in high demand. Travel advisors are on the rise. Event coordinators, development directors who implement fundraising strategies, and sustainability specialists, who analyze a company’s environmental and social impact and develop strategies for efficient use of resources, have also been cut.
Several engineering positions appeared on the list for the first time, including bridge engineer, nuclear engineer and instrumentation and controls engineer
As a self-proclaimed bookworm and research nerd, I was happy to discover that research librarians are back in fashion.
“Only about 30% of job seekers say they want to change industries, but more than 50% of recently hired workers have found their jobs in a new industry,” Julia Pollak, chief economist at job search site ZipRecruiter, told Yahoo Finance. “That suggests that employees who keep an open mind, expand their search, invest in new skills and take advantage of opportunities are disproportionately successful.”
Some of the most in-demand skills, according to LinkedIn research: customer service, project management, communication, leadership, teamwork, sales and strategic planning.
For AI enthusiasts, the tide is moving in your direction.
“We see a growing number of employers demanding integrative artificial intelligence skills,” says Indeed’s Stahle. “If you have these AI skills, 2025 could be a pretty good year for you.”
“Transferable skills can also open doors to new positions,” Amy Glaser, senior vice president at staffing firm Adecco, told Yahoo Finance. “Part-time positions also provide a valuable way to gain experience, build connections and transition to full-time employment. time possibilities.
“Overall, adaptability and a willingness to learn are critical for employees who want to thrive in today’s multigenerational workforce.”
A university degree is increasingly taking a back seat as a prerequisite for many hiring decisions. (Getty Creative) ·Image source via Getty Images
An increasing number of employers are jettisoning education and even experience requirements from job postings, Stahle said — “which means there are positions you wouldn’t have qualified for in the past and now you may be able to qualify because you have the skills and He could potentially step into one of those positions,” he said.
Formal education requirements have declined in nearly every sector and profession analyzed by Indeed. The share of job openings requiring at least a bachelor’s degree fell from about 20% before the pandemic to 17.6% in October 2024.
“At first glance, this may seem like a modest decline, but in reality it represents tens of thousands of additional jobs potentially open today compared to just a few years ago for the more than 60% of Americans without a college degree,” Stahle said.
Other reports show a similar shift. According to Payscale, one in three organizations have removed degree requirements from job descriptions to consider all applicants with the necessary skills and experience. Before you get too excited, a portion of those employers, 16%, pay more to those with a bachelor’s degree.
The trend in experience requirements has also decreased, from 40% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024, according to Indeed. If the job market improves in 2025, the share of job openings requiring a college degree or a certain number of years of experience could drop again as employers compete for workers, Stahle said.
Online job postings continue to attract an abundance of applications. To break through the chaos, it will be important for job seekers this year to “show personality and personal brand to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers,” Hannah Morgan, a search strategist, told Yahoo Finance.
“Generic AI-generated resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles will not be enough to differentiate job seekers,” she said, adding that “many recruiters and hiring managers are looking for AI-generated materials.”
Deciding how much personality to convey can be a difficult line to walk, she said. Start by including any work details that highlight your achievements, certifications or awards. “Draw attention to what makes you slightly different and mention why that is valuable to a future employer,” she said.
Make sure you have a good example in your back pocket to share with hiring managers about a challenge, your action and the result you achieved. I call this your CAR story. Hiring managers like numbers to back this up.
“Use real, quantifiable data to highlight job performance,” says Morgan. For example, replace “a motivated top producer who consistently exceeds goals by retaining and growing existing accounts with a consultative approach” with a specific example like “exceeded sales goals by 125% and achieved $800,000 in quarterly revenue through relationship building and analytics-driven decision-making,” she said.
Getting hired the old-fashioned way is still in style.
Most full-time positions are filled internally or through referrals. Referred candidates are hired at a rate of 30%, while applicants found through other methods are only hired at a rate of 7%, according to a Jobvite study.
Employers like to hire people they know directly or indirectly, because it is less risky. And hiring managers’ perception that someone is a good fit increases significantly when an insider gives them the nod. And many employers offer a bonus for referring someone who is hired and performs well.
“Consider reaching out to people you know within the company and tell them why you are interested in the opening at their company and ask if they can refer you,” Morgan said. “The key is to make more effort than just applying en masse.”
“Referrals are still the best way to get a job,” Maggie Mistal, career change coach and author of the book “Are You Ready to Love Your Job,” tells Yahoo Finance. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Mistal)
Referrals can come from your existing network, but you don’t want to reach out only when you need something, Maggie Mistal, a career change coach, told Yahoo Finance.
“Make a point to regularly reach out to your most favorite connections and colleagues. Check in, share an article, recommend an event or even refer them for a job, she said. Giving when you don’t need something makes it easier to ask when you do need something.”
If it’s a new connection, ask for a hand, such as someone who knows someone you know who works for the employer with a job you’d like to have.
“If you’re reaching out to a new connection for a referral, it also helps to compliment them on something you genuinely admire about their experience,” says Mistal. “Noticing that they climbed a mountain or speak three languages or grew up in the same part of the country… All these things indicate a real connection, and that builds rapport.
“And if you want someone to refer you for a job at some point, you have to start building rapport.”
Do you have a question about pension? Personal finance? Something career related? Click here to send Kerry Hannon a message.
If you’re planning to look for a new job, it’s a good idea to think about your past experiences and turn them into stories.
Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of AI-based career tool Kickresume, says more than half of companies are asking candidates to share stories about their previous roles.
It’s not just about the times you hit the jackpot: almost a quarter of companies also ask questions about mistakes or moments when candidates feel like they’ve failed.
“By showing self-awareness and responsibility while emphasizing your problem-solving skills, you can really get the job you want,” says Duris.
Another job interview tip: wear your love for the company on your sleeve.
Many companies ask candidates to name their favorite thing about the company, or what specifically interested them in joining the company, or their favorite products.
Google asked interviewees: “What is your favorite Google product? Why? How would you improve it?”
Kerry Hannon is a senior columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist and author of fourteen books, including ‘In control at 50+: how to succeed in the new world of work” and “Never too old to get rich.” Follow her further Blue sky.
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