The hiring launch days of 2022 and 2023, when there were nearly two vacancies for every job seeker, are just in the rearview mirror. But in 2025, there will be many jobs out there.
New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics telegraphs maintained optimism for an increase in employment in the coming months. The the economy added 256,000 jobs in December, the Ministry of Labor reported on Friday, beating expectations. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent.
Although it is the start of a new year, the confidence of business leaders could translate into increased employment in the coming months.
I reached out to a handful of experts for their insights on what all of this means for job seekers and the best ways to navigate the hiring environment.
“Finding a job today is likely to be significantly more difficult and time-consuming than it was in 2022,” Cory Stahle, labor economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, told Yahoo Finance. “But we’re going into a job market where there’s still a lot of opportunity.”
Demand is high for workers in healthcare, construction, government and manufacturing, while white-collar jobs in finance and technology — such as software development and data science, marketing and professional services — are harder to come by, Stahle said.
Hot deals that you might not have thought about are also making their debut. Six out of 10 LinkedIn’s “Jobs on the rise” showcase “the evolving world of work and new opportunities that job seekers may not have previously considered.” The list tracks the fastest growing positions.
Positions include artificial intelligence engineer, artificial intelligence consultant and physical therapist. Workforce development managers who design and implement training programs for employee development are wanted. Travel advisors are on the rise. Event coordinators, development directors who lead fundraising strategies and sustainability experts, who analyze a company’s environmental and social impacts and create strategies for efficient use of resources, also made the cut.
Several engineering roles appeared on the list for the first time, including bridge engineer, nuclear engineer and instrument and control engineer
As a self-proclaimed bookworm and research geek, I was pleased to discover that research librarians are back in vogue.
“Only about 30% of job seekers say they want to change industries, but more than 50% of recent hires have landed a job in a new industry,” Julia Pollak, chief economist at job search site ZipRecruiter, told Yahoo Finance. “This suggests that workers who keep an open mind, broaden their search, invest in new skills and pursue 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’re starting to see an increasing number of employers looking for integrative AI skills,” said Indeed’s Stahle. “If you have these AI skills, 2025 could actually be a pretty good year for you.”
“Transferable skills can also open doors to new roles,” Amy Glaser, senior vice president at recruiting agency Adecco, told Yahoo Finance. “Casual roles also offer a valuable way to gain experience, build connections and transition to full-time work. weather conditions.
“Overall, adaptability and a willingness to learn are key for workers who want to thrive in today’s multigenerational workforce.”
College degrees are increasingly taking second place as a prerequisite for many employment decisions. (Getty Creative) ·Image source via Getty Images
A growing number of employers are dropping education and even experience requirements from job postings, according to Stahle — “which means there are roles that you wouldn’t have qualified for in the past, but now you may qualify because you have the skills and potentially can to step into one of those positions,” he said.
Formal education requirements are declining in almost all sectors and occupational groups analyzed from Indeed. The share of job postings requiring at least a bachelor’s degree fell to 17.6% in October 2024, from about 20% before the pandemic.
“This may seem like a modest drop on the surface, but in reality, it represents tens of thousands more jobs potentially open today compared to a few years ago for the more than 60% of Americans without a college degree,” Stahle said.
Other reports show a similar shift. One in three organizations removed degree requirements from job descriptions to consider all candidates with the necessary skills and experience, according to Salary. Before you get too excited, a portion of those employers, 16%, pay more those who have a bachelor’s degree.
The trend for experience requests is also down, from 40% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024, according to Indeed. If the job market picks up in 2025, the share of job postings requiring a college degree or certain years of experience could fall again as employers compete for workers, Stahle said.
Online job postings continue to attract a flood of applications. To cut through the clutter, this year it will be important for job seekers to “show personality and personal brand to attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers,” Hannah Morgan, Jobseeker strategistsaid 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 walk, she said. Start by including any job details that will highlight your accomplishments, certifications, or awards. “Focus on what makes you a little different and state why that is valuable to a future employer,” she said.
Have a great example in your back pocket to share with hiring managers about the challenge, your actions, and the results you achieved. I call this your CAR story. Hiring managers love numbers to back them up.
“Use real, measurable data to highlight work accomplishments,” Morgan said. For example, replace “self-motivated top producer who consistently exceeds goals by retaining and growing existing accounts with a consultative approach” with a specific example such as “exceeded sales goals by 125%, achieving $800K in quarterly sales through relationship building and analytics – bringing decision,” she said.
Recruiting the old-fashioned way is still in vogue.
Most full-time positions are filled internally or through referrals. According to poll by Jobvite.
Employers like to hire people they know directly or indirectly because it is less risky. And the hiring manager’s perception that someone will be a good fit increases significantly when an insider gives them a cue. And many employers offer a bonus for referring someone who is employed and doing well.
“Consider reaching out to people you know within the company and tell them why you’re interested in a position at their company and ask them if they can recommend you,” Morgan said. “The key is to make a bigger effort than just mass reporting.”
“Referrals are still the best way to find a job,” Maggie Mistal, a career change coach and author of Are You Ready to Love Your Job, told Yahoo Finance. (Photo courtesy of Maggie Mistal)
Referrals can come from your existing network, but you don’t want to just reach out when you need something, Maggie Mistal, career change coachsaid Yahoo Finance.
“Make an effort to regularly contact your dearest relations and colleagues. Apply, share an article, recommend an event or even recommend them for a job opportunity, she said. If you give when you don’t need something, it will be easier to ask when you do need something.”
If it’s a new relationship, ask for help, say, someone who knows someone you know who works for an employer with a job you’re after, tread lightly.
“When you reach out to a new connection for a referral, it also helps to compliment them on something you genuinely admire about their experience,” Mistal said. “Noticing that they’ve climbed a mountain or that they speak three languages or that they grew up in the same part of the country… All of these things indicate a real connection, and that builds a relationship.
“And if you want someone to recommend you for a job at some point, you’re going to have to start by building relationships.”
If you are planning to look for a new job, it would be a good idea to reflect on your past experiences and turn them into stories.
Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of AI-powered career tool Kickresume, said more than half companies ask candidates to share stories about their previous roles.
It’s not just about the moments when you hit the jackpot: almost a quarter of companies also ask questions about mistakes or moments when candidates felt they failed.
“Showing self-awareness and responsibility while highlighting your problem-solving skills can really help you get the job you want,” Duris said.
Another interview tip: wear your love for the company on your sleeve.
Many companies ask candidates to list what they liked most about the company or what interested them in joining the company specifically or their favorite product.
Google asked respondents: “What is your favorite Google product? Why? How would you improve it?”
