Why You Can’t Find Work in a Good Job Market

A look at the current job market

The unemployment rate is low.

The economy added over 250,000 jobs in December. The US gained 2.2 million jobs in 2024.

So, why are you still struggling to find work?

The economy is changing more quickly. Even in the tech sector, the skills you needed five years ago don’t cut it.

Healthcare, education, and government have most of the new jobs

Communications, high-tech, and manufacturing jobs have given way to lower-paying jobs in healthcare and government. [1] The private sector added only half of those jobs.

As the population ages, we’re seeing demand for healthcare services to those over 65 rise.

Governments at all levels are replacing jobs lost to attrition. For example, the state of Georgia has 1275 job openings. [2]

Employers aren’t always replacing the jobs that baby boomers have left.

There is a mismatch between worker skills and what employer needs

We see this every time a technological breakthrough occurs.

We saw this with the advent of word processing and accounting software. The number of workers the economy needed to type or to calculate accounting data fell.

With the shift to AI, a computer can now handle routine coding work. AI can also provide templates for legal and other documents. [3]

Employers are looking for software engineers who have AI knowledge and skills.

But the economy is looking for plumbers, carpenters, and electricians as baby boomers retire. And chip manufacturers are looking for chip technicians. Apprenticeships offer a way to learn these jobs, while getting paid. [4]

The number of workers who quit or wanted a job but couldn’t find one fell from 2023 [5]

It’s similar to the problem in the housing market. Higher interest rates have kept homeowners with low rates from selling their homes. So, lower priced homes aren’t coming into the market, leaving inventories low.

The same is true of the job market. Since the number of job openings fell, the number of workers staying at a jobs is higher as the job market stabilizes.

Still want to find work?

Try these steps:

1. Update your skills. Learn how to use AI for routine tasks.

2. Find an internship or apprenticeship. [6]

3. Seek work in a different industry or work you’re under qualified for.

4. Expand your professional network.

5. Follow job boards.

6. Find a recruiter.

7. Find someone who can give you a referral.

8. Go to job fairs.

9. Search company websites.

10. Volunteer for a non-profit if you’re interested in non-profit work.

And be careful what you put on your social media. Employers will look.

Thanks for reading,

Nikki

Thanks to Mark for his help with software industry information and overall advice on this post.

Know someone who’d like to read this post and others like it? Send them this link: https://nikkifinlay.substack.com/publish/post/155275058

[1] ADP National Unemployment Report, https://adpemploymentreport.com. Accessed 1/20/25.

[2] Team Georgia Careers, https://careers.georgia.gov/jobs/search/35392434. Accessed 1/20/25.

[3] Alan Silvestri, InData Labs. https://indatalabs.com/blog/ai-transforming-your-business 3/12/2024.

[4] Earn While You Learn Today, https://www.apprenticeship.gov/sites/default/files/DOLIndFSCareerSeeker-043024-508.pdf. Accessed 1/6/25.

[5] Job Openings and Labor Turnover, https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm, 1/7/2025.

[6] Thursday’s classroom will provide more information on apprenticeships.