Introduction
Hello everyone! I'm Elaine. Welcome to my channel. I'm an amateur lifestyle and parenting blogger and currently work as an engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. On this channel, I share a lot of parenting and lifestyle science videos, and occasionally talk about the workplace. Today, I want to start a discussion about the recent changes in the US job market. The following is based on my personal feelings and observations and does not represent the opinions of any company or group.
My Experience as a Mentor
I've been involved in volunteer mentor activities since last year. This year, I switched to another platform. Although it's no longer a volunteer form, it can more specifically help those who are confused about work and the workplace. Recently, many people have set up calls with me. Most of them are entry-level, about to graduate or have just graduated, or have worked for a few years but want to change jobs. They are really struggling at this stage. I've also seen many such struggling cases from my own examples and on social media like LinkedIn.
The Cooling Job Market
The job market is really getting colder and colder. When I first entered the workplace from 2015 to 2019, it was relatively easy to find a job, especially in the technology field. There were more job openings, and if you had certain abilities and performed well in the interview, you could get many offers. At that time, there were many strategies on forums to teach you how to compete for offers. But now, except for a few companies still recruiting, most situations have downgraded. The market is getting more competitive, there are fewer job openings, and the number of layoffs is increasing. A job posting can receive thousands of resumes in a few days, and hiring managers have a lot of choices, often with overqualified candidates.
The Impact of Layoffs
Since the large-scale layoffs in 2023, major companies like Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have all laid off employees. At first, everyone was very surprised, especially when Google laid off more than 10,000 people. But now, the news of layoffs is getting less and less attention. People are getting used to it, and any company's layoffs are no longer surprising. I've also seen reports from venture capital firms that confirm my feelings. For example, a Signal Fire report shows that since 2019, the recruitment of new graduates by the 15 largest US technology companies has decreased by more than 50%. Although mid - to - senior-level positions have recovered slightly after the 2024 layoffs, entry-level positions continue to decrease. This makes it very difficult for new graduates and young people who have just entered the workplace to find or change jobs.
Difficulties in Career Growth
Many people think that the market will get better after the layoffs end. But from my personal observations, although the situation in the first half of 2025 seems to be a little better than the second half of 2024, it depends on different industries. For example, the biopharmaceutical industry may be more difficult this year. Even if the company does not lay off employees, most companies are now in a zero-growth state. There are no new headcounts, and it is difficult for employees to grow. For those who want to become managers, it is also more difficult now because companies are flattening the organizational structure and reducing the number of management positions.
The Plight of Middle-Aged Workers
Many senior staff-level friends choose to stay in their original companies. One reason is the hiring freeze, and the other is that internal transfers are also becoming more competitive. There are many referrals and internal employees applying for open positions, and hiring managers have a lot of choices. Middle-aged workers are in an awkward situation where it is difficult to move up and difficult to leave.
The Impact of the Competitive Environment
The increasingly competitive job market has led to a situation where the return on work is getting lower and lower. Wage increases are far behind the rate of inflation, and people have to work longer hours and overtime more often to ensure job security. This creates a more toxic work environment, and everyone is more anxious and competitive. Entry-level positions are more competitive than senior-level positions, and the competition for senior-level positions is relatively small because there are fewer such talents.
The Challenges Faced by Female Workers
Female workers, especially working mothers, face more difficulties. Due to physiological reasons, they may have emotional changes due to hormonal changes. If they are planning to have a baby, are pregnant, or are taking care of young children, it will be more difficult. With most companies requiring employees to return to the office, it is difficult for mothers to balance work and family.
Coping Strategies
In this highly competitive and difficult job market, we need to constantly grow and upgrade ourselves. But we also need to prioritize our families and mental health. I used to be against quitting my job to be a full-time mother, but now I think it may not be a bad thing if it is the best decision for you. Before making a decision, you need to ask yourself if you like your job. You can try to reduce your workload and pressure to see if you will be happier. Even if you leave your job, you can keep up with the industry trends through various online and offline channels. If you are laid off or forced to leave your job, you need to accurately position yourself instead of applying for jobs blindly. You can use various connections to help you get noticed by hiring managers. Finally, don't forget that work is not the only thing in our lives. We have other identities and interests. We need to maintain a good attitude and perseverance.
I hope today's sharing can help you adjust your mood and start again. If you like this video, please like, comment, and subscribe to my channel. See you next time! Bye.