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  • Issue #5 — The Job Market Is Shifting. Here's How to Move With It

Issue #5 — The Job Market Is Shifting. Here's How to Move With It

Navigating a Changing Job Market

Author

Win Raguini
July 22, 2025

Hey friend,

I see you. Maybe you're scrolling through job boards at 2 AM, wondering if you'll ever find something that feels right. Maybe you've been "between opportunities" longer than you planned. Maybe you're just tired of sending applications into the void.

Here's what I want you to know: You're not behind. You're not broken. And you're definitely not alone.

The job market in 2025? It's complicated, but there's actually more reason for hope than you might think.

🔎 What's Really Happening Out There

Let's talk real numbers for a second. Indeed's latest research shows that "hiring in 2025 will likely remain lower than in past years, but the recent upward trend is an encouraging sign."

Translation: it's still tough, but things are getting better.

The Big Shifts:

🎯 Skills > Credentials: Research shows that employers are finally realizing that "formal qualifications aren't always the best way to assess whether someone has the skills for the job." That English degree? That career gap? They matter way less than your ability to get stuff done.

💰 Workers Demand More: Michael Page's research reveals that "54% of workers say a higher salary is essential when considering accepting or applying for a new role." Workers aren't settling anymore, and honestly? Good for them.

🏠 Remote Work Wins: Even five years post-pandemic, studies show that "employees who work remotely reported a more positive impact on their work-life balance (86%)." The cat's out of the bag on this one.

The old spray-and-pray approach to job applications? It's dead. What works now is being intentional, being strategic, and—most importantly—being authentically you.

🌍 Where the Opportunities Actually Are

Okay, let's get specific about where the jobs are hiding. Because contrary to what your LinkedIn feed might suggest, there are industries absolutely crushing it right now.

1. Healthcare is Exploding 🏥

Visual Capitalist's analysis shows that "the fastest growing job sector is Health Care & Social Assistance, which added nearly 193,000 jobs over the 3-month period" in early 2025.

That's not just nurses and doctors—think operations, tech, customer service, marketing. Healthcare touches everything.

2. Data is the New Gold Rush 📊

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that "with an increase of nearly 42 percent over the 2023–33 decade, data scientists is the occupation projected to have the fastest employment growth."

But don't think you need a PhD in statistics. Companies need people who can translate data into human language.

3. E-commerce Keeps Growing 📦

The data shows that "the next fastest growing job sector is Transportation & Warehousing, which is likely due to the continued growth of e-commerce."

Here's the thing: even if your background doesn't scream "healthcare professional" or "data wizard," you probably have skills that translate. That marketing experience? Every growing industry needs that. Operations background? Gold. Customer service skills? Absolutely essential.

Don't count yourself out before you even start.

🤝 Your Network Is Your Superpower

(Yes, Even If You Hate Networking)

I know, I know. The word "networking" probably makes you want to hide under a blanket. It feels fake, it feels like using people, it feels icky.

But what if I told you that research shows "85% of jobs are filled through personal connections and 70% never appear on public boards"?

The hidden job market is real. Career expert Hanna Goefft explains that "up to 70 percent of jobs never appear on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed."

How to Network Without Feeling Gross:

Start with people you actually like. Career guidance suggests using "LinkedIn to build connections with people who work at those companies" you're interested in. But start with people you already know and trust.

Be genuinely helpful. Before you ask for anything, offer something. Share an article they'd find interesting. Make an introduction. Remember their kids' names.

Try virtual events. FlexJobs points out that "virtual job fairs allow you to interact with prospective employers, learn about company cultures, and even participate in spontaneous interviews."

Remember: the stats show that "face-to-face networking meetings result in a 40% deal closure rate."

You don't need to become a networking machine. You just need to be a human who talks to other humans about work stuff sometimes.

💡 Find Work That Actually Fits Your Life

Can we talk about something for a minute? All those articles telling you to "follow your passion" and the money will follow? They're not entirely wrong, but they're not entirely helpful either.

Research on Gen Z workplace preferences shows that young workers "demand that her job allow for life balance and overall wellness, she said, including time for exercise and socializing."

And you know what? You're not being entitled. You're being smart.

What's Changing:

🎯 Values-Driven Careers: Adobe's study found that "about half of the entrepreneurs surveyed indicated that they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey to take greater control of their financial future" with 79% actually achieving that goal.

⚖️ Flexibility Matters: Research reveals that "according to 51% of respondents, work-life balance means 'having the flexibility and autonomy to pivot to personal needs.'" Plus, "65% of workers prefer a fully remote job, while 34% favor a hybrid setup."

🛠️ Skills-Based Hiring: Industry analysts note that companies are finally "not building around roles but around the skills needed" to achieve their goals.

There's no single "right" path anymore. The goal isn't to find the perfect job—it's to find work that lets you be the person you want to be.

🚀 Your Weekly Game Plan (That Won't Burn You Out)

Career experts remind us that "while it's true that there are aspects of job hunting beyond your control, it's not a totally helpless situation."

Monday: Level Up One Skill

The research is clear: "66% of Leaders would not hire someone without AI skills."

Job search specialists recommend getting "familiar with accessible platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, or industry-specific tools." Spend 30 minutes learning something new each week. That's it.

Tuesday & Wednesday: Quality Applications Only

Career advisors are emphatic: "quality beats quantity when it comes to job applications."

Instead, "apply to just two or three jobs that you're strongly interested in every day." Research the company. Customize your cover letter. Show that you actually care.

Thursday: Make One Human Connection

This could be an informational interview, a LinkedIn message to someone whose career you admire, or just texting a former colleague to see how they're doing.

One real conversation beats fifty cold applications.

Friday: Take Care of Yourself

This is non-negotiable: "if there's one piece of advice to take seriously during your job search, it's this: Protect your mental health first."

Go for a walk. Call someone who makes you laugh. Do something that reminds you that you're more than your job search.

💬 This Week's Challenge

Write down three things:

  1. One skill you want to learn this month

  2. One person you want to reconnect with

  3. One small thing you'll do for yourself this week

Don't overthink it. Just write it down.

🔥 Fuel for the Week

"Your unique mix of skills, experience, and perspective is your edge. Stay persistent, stay sharp."

Job searching in 2025 isn't easy. If it feels hard, that's because it is hard. But it's not impossible, and it's definitely not a reflection of your worth as a person.

Some weeks will feel like progress. Some weeks will feel like you're stuck. Both are normal.

Keep showing up. Keep being strategic. Keep being human.

📚 Resources

Want to dig deeper? Here are all the key resources from this issue:

📊 Market Research:

🤝 Networking Guides:

💡 Career Strategy:

🙋‍♀️ HIRING FROM THE COMMUNITY

Coming soon! We’ll be sharing job leads from trusted folks once they start rolling in.
👉 Submit a lead →

💬 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

If you’ve recently been laid off and want visibility, we’d love to spotlight you.
👉 Fill out this short form →

📬 What’s Coming Next

In future issues, you’ll get:

  • Layoff roundups

  • Job leads from the community

  • Templates + tools

  • Survivor stories

  • Mindset shifts

  • Alternative income ideas

  • And more quick wins like this one

This is just the beginning. We’re building something real here — together.

🌟 What I Want You to Remember

Trust the process and have faith in yourself. "The right opportunity is out there - and with each step, you're getting closer to it."

You've got this. Really. I believe in you.

Keep going.
Keep breathing.
You’ve got this.

— Win
Fellow layoff survivor, creator of Let Go Weekly