All articles tagged with #hiring slowdown
2025 was a challenging year for job seekers in the US, with the worst hiring environment since the post-Great Recession era, driven by economic uncertainty, low job growth, and sector-specific struggles, making it a tough year especially for recent graduates and certain industries.
In October 2025, US companies announced the highest number of layoffs in over 20 years, driven by AI adoption, economic slowdown, and cost-cutting measures, with year-to-date layoffs exceeding 1 million and the lowest hiring plans since 2011, indicating a weakening labor market.
The article highlights key warning signs of impending layoffs, such as hiring freezes, decreased spending, shifts in corporate messaging, and quiet firing tactics, advising employees to stay vigilant, keep their resumes updated, and not become complacent at work.
Amid a slowing job market, more Americans are experiencing prolonged unemployment, with some unemployed for over six months, facing challenges in finding new jobs despite low overall unemployment rates, which raises concerns about economic stability and worker well-being.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell highlighted the challenges posed by rising inflation and a slowdown in hiring, emphasizing the delicate balance the Fed must maintain between controlling inflation and supporting employment amid economic turbulence and political pressures.
US companies are slowing down hiring efforts following the impact of tariffs imposed during Donald Trump's administration, highlighting economic challenges faced by businesses due to trade policies.
The U.S. job market showed a significant slowdown in August with only 22,000 jobs added, well below expectations, leading to discussions about potential interest rate cuts and sparking controversy over the firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following the report's revisions and political tensions.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed concerns about the U.S. labor market, highlighting signs of a slowdown such as reduced hiring, increased long-term unemployment, and difficulties for young workers, which could lead to a potential economic downturn and interest rate cuts.
Recent Gen Z graduates face a divided job market, with those who graduated during the peak hiring years of 2021-2022 benefiting from low unemployment and good career progress, while newer graduates are struggling with higher unemployment, difficulty finding jobs, and financial hurdles like student debt and rising home prices, highlighting how graduation timing significantly influences long-term economic prospects.
The US job market is experiencing a 'locked-in' effect with reduced hiring, lower quitting rates, and low layoffs due to economic uncertainty caused by tariffs and other factors, leading to a potential rise in unemployment later in the year.
US private-sector job growth slowed significantly in May, adding only 37,000 jobs—the lowest in over two years—due to economic uncertainty, trade policy concerns, and hesitancy among small businesses, despite stable wage growth. The official jobs report is expected to show a similar slowdown, with broader implications for the US economy.
Despite the impressive job numbers, many Americans are struggling to find work as companies become more cautious about hiring, workers face increased competition for fewer job openings, and a significant portion of employees fear layoffs. The hiring slowdown is attributed to factors such as high interest rates, rising wages, and economic uncertainty. Job seekers are sending out more applications, with some facing hundreds of rejections, while companies are imposing stricter requirements and delaying hiring decisions. As a result, more workers are competing for fewer open jobs, leading to a highly competitive job market.
Adyen's shares surged 22% after reporting strong sales growth and better-than-expected profit for 2023, despite a miss on first-half sales. The European payments giant also announced a slowdown in hiring to address concerns about aggressive spending on expansion, with a focus on hiring outside of Amsterdam. Adyen faces competition from Stripe, PayPal, and Block, and has been scrutinized for its pricing and margin amid challenges in the payment industry.
The March jobs report is expected to show a slowdown in the US labor market, with nonfarm payrolls predicted to have grown by 239,000 last month and the unemployment rate holding steady at 3.6%. Investors will also be watching wage growth, with average hourly earnings expected to rise 0.3% over the month and 4.3% over last year. The report comes as the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates in a bid to slow the economy, with markets pricing in a 50-50 chance of another 0.25% rate increase next month.