Why finding a job is so awful right now

The current job market is quite unusual, with layoffs occurring in some industries while others are struggling to find enough staff. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of hiring has decreased slightly compared to last year, dropping from 3.9% in February 2023 to 3.7% in February of this year. Job openings have also decreased from 6% to 5.3% during the same period.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recent news release stated that there was little change in February job openings, which remained at 8.8 million, and the rate of hiring also showed little change. Despite this, some white-collar workers, particularly in the tech industry, may find the current job market challenging.

However, there are still many jobs in demand, such as accountants and civil engineers. There is also a shortage of skilled trade workers, including plumbers, as reported by Bloomberg. While job postings and openings have decreased since their peak two years ago, there is still a strong demand for new workers in several sectors, according to Nick Bunker, the economic-research director for North America at the Indeed Hiring Lab.

According to career sites, the most in-demand roles are in government, law and politics, retail, energy, and education. Across industries, there are many job openings and a pressing need to hire new workers.