Express Employment Professionals’ America Employed and Canada Employed series explore the state of employment in North America, including everything from hiring expectations and HR challenges to job seekers’ optimism and shrinking the skills gap. Learn about the latest insights uncovered in a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
Job seekers in the U.S. and Canada are taking notice of the labor market’s mixed signals. Workers are bracing for a tougher road ahead, and many are already making moves. Most job seekers believe employers have the upper hand in today’s market, and that perception is fueling action.
In the U.S., 44% of job seekers are actively looking for a new job, but optimism is in short supply. Finding the right fit remains the biggest hurdle with 52% saying their top challenge is finding opportunities that match their qualifications. As challenges loom and optimism wanes, job seekers’ beliefs are changing.
- 59% believe it will be harder to find a job in the next six months, up from 48% in fall 2024 who believed there were fewer job opportunities
- 48% believe there are fewer job opportunities than a year ago, a sharp increase from 33% in fall 2024
- 48% still hope for a wage increase within the next year, though confidence is waning
- 25% expect it will take more than six months to find a job, signaling growing anxiety about the future
In Canada, 82% of job seekers are changing their job search strategy to be more flexible, including being more open to different work environments, applying for roles they’re overqualified for, being willing to relocate, do a longer commute, or accept a lower salary. Despite increased flexibility and clear motivations to change jobs, fears about current roles loom large.
- 47% fear fewer work opportunities
- 45% worry about having to accept lower salaries
- 40% are concerned about increasing competition
- 39% worry about job insecurity after being hired
- 36% fear having to accept worse or fewer benefits
“Today’s labor market is full of contradictions. Opportunities exist, but finding the right fit is harder than ever,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. “Job seekers who understand these dynamics and seek expert guidance from staffing companies like Express are better equipped to navigate uncertainty, shorten their search, and uncover roles they might otherwise miss.”
Read more about the latest employment insights in America Employed at ExpressPros.com and Canada Employed at ExpressPros.ca.
