WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE JOB MARKET

Especially in the most competitive fields, job seekers will need to strategize to stand out.

- BY KIMBERLY LANKFORD

LATELY, the headlines have been filled with news of layoffs, especially for federal employees and tech workers. Depending on your field, however, your job may not be at much risk of hitting the chopping block. And if you're looking for a new role, your prospects may be closely tied to your corner of the market. For some job hunters, finding work can take months.

When it comes to unemployment, the figures started the year looking good, with the overall unemployment rate at a low 4% in January. But unemployment data is only part of the story. Although layoffs haven't been widespread across industries, there are fewer job openings, says Harry Holzer, senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution and an economist at Georgetown University. The economy added 143,000 jobs in January 2025, compared with an average of 166,000 per month in 2024 and about 216,000 per month in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In general, employers “are holding on to their workers and at the same time cautious in their hiring,” says Allison Shrivastava, economist with the Indeed Hiring Lab.

The situation varies by industry, she says. Almost 75% of the new jobs added in 2024 were in three industries: health care and social assistance, government, and leisure and hospitality.