When Hiring Slows: Smart Ways to Land a Job Anyway

As a career counselor, I’ve witnessed both extremes of the job market—periods of rapid hiring when opportunities are plentiful, and slowdowns when job seekers struggle to even find openings.

Even in strong job markets, certain groups face more challenges due to factors such as industry, location, or career stage. When hiring slows across the economy, these challenges intensify.

Who Struggles Most in Tough Markets?

• Mature professionals (55+): Workers over 55, especially those impacted by layoffs, often struggle with limited openings and age-related bias. For those over 60, finding new employment can be especially difficult.

• Technology professionals: The tech sector is known for rapid cycles of layoffs and hiring surges, leaving workers vulnerable to sudden market swings.

• New graduates: Without internships or prior experience, graduates may spend months searching, facing frequent rejections and limited entry-level opportunities.

• Remote-only job seekers: Post-COVID, many employers have shifted back to hybrid or in-office models, reducing options for those seeking fully remote roles.

Key Factors That Slow the Job Market

Several external conditions often interact to make job searches harder:

1. National elections – Companies delay hiring until there’s more clarity about future policies.

2. Holiday seasons – From mid-November to early January, hiring slows significantly.

3. Technology disruption – Emerging tools, like generative AI, force companies to reassess staffing needs.

4. Layoffs – Industry or economy-wide slowdowns often trigger prolonged layoffs across sectors.

5. Stay-put employees – Workers avoid job changes during uncertainty, reducing turnover.

6. Employer selectivity – Companies take longer to hire, even when candidates match roles perfectly.

7. Hybrid work – Onsite requirements limit opportunities for job seekers unwilling or unable to relocate.

8. Fewer recruiters – Recruiter layoffs reduce outreach and visibility for qualified candidates.

Smart Search Tactics in Slow Markets

Hannah Morgan, a nationally recognized job search strategist, reminds us that good jobs always exist, even in weak economies. The key is adjusting your approach:

• Shift your mindset: Expect longer searches. Focus on networking and finding insiders who can advocate for you.

• Target resilient industries: Government jobs remain stable, with wide opportunities in IT, social services, HR, finance, engineering, healthcare, and more. In tech, AI roles are expanding.

• Diversify your search: Don’t rely solely on LinkedIn. Explore company websites, industry job boards (like BuiltIn for tech), and associations. Use Google strategically (e.g., “Project Manager jobs in Nairobi”).

• Consider interim options: Temporary, contract, or gig work can provide financial stability while you continue your long-term search. Opportunities exist in staffing agencies, retail, or flexible platforms like Uber, Instacart, or DoorDash.