What to Do in This Job Market?

Those of us who are following the news—or have to follow it because we are living it—know there were a lot of layoffs in 2025.

Mass layoffs in 2025 hit levels not seen since the early pandemic. U.S. employers announced 1,206,374 job cuts in 2025—a 58% increase from 2024 and the highest annual total since 2020, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

And 2026 has started loudly too. U.S.-based employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January 2026, the highest January total since 2009.

On top of that, a Forbes/Catalyst survey found that more than 455,000 women exited the U.S. workforce between January and August 2025. Of those exits, 42% were tied to layoffs, while 58% left by choice—often driven by caregiving pressures and workplace inflexibility.

So yes—if you are in the job market right now, it is completely understandable to feel scared, anxious, or uncertain.

The question is: What can you actually do when these statistics and headlines are coming at you daily?

First, I won’t sugarcoat it. 2025 has been a milestone year for me as a career coach watching what is happening. I have friends—not only clients—facing their first layoffs. Government layoffs, in particular, accelerated sharply, especially in the first half of the year. So I know it has been hard for so many. I am trying my best to support as many people as possible not only through coaching, but some articles, posts, newsletters, resources on my website, workshops etc. Because a lot of people need it. 

Some sources point to AI as the main driver. Others suggest AI is being used as a convenient explanation for old-fashioned cost cutting. Many companies still haven’t figured out how to use AI effectively, so personally, I believe some roles will return—while others will not. 

Here’s what I consistently recommend to my clients, and to anyone navigating this market right now:

What You Can Do

Be in the AND mindset, not either/or. Look for what will pay the bills AND keep reaching toward your most aligned role. Survival and alignment can coexist.

Do not compare yourself to others. We are all in different seasons of life—financially, emotionally, professionally. What works for one person may be wrong for another. There is no universal playbook. 

If you have the means and don’t need a job immediately, use this moment wisely. This can be a powerful time to reassess what you actually want now. Then do a reality check. What does the future of that role or industry look like? You don’t have to abandon your path—sometimes a small pivot keeps you moving forward.

Networking is still the most effective way to find your next role. You cannot be shy right now. Reach out. Connect. Ask. One day it’s you—another day it will be them.

Get creative. What do you know? What are you good at? What do people come to you for? Could you build a side gig or a simple digital offering? Even a modest income stream can reduce pressure and expand options.

If you are a new graduate, please don’t sit at home waiting for the “perfect” job. Take a part-time role. Any role. While you continue applying. Staying home too long can quietly erode confidence. And any decent employer will respect this: “I worked as a barista while applying because the job market was tough when I graduated. I stayed active, learned a lot, and paid some of my own bills.” None of your experience goes to waste. 

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f you still have a job but are burned out and afraid to leap, prepare quietly and seriously. Keep searching. Get your resume and LinkedIn ready. Practice interviews. Develop a personal value statement that clearly explains who you are and why you want the role—not just why you need it.

Take the Four Phases Seriously (Don’t Wing It)

The people who prepare the most tend to land the best opportunities.

Phase 1: Clarity Get clear on what you really want. This starts with understanding who you are—your strengths, values, gifts, and what makes you unique. Do not skip this step. Every other step depends on it. 

Phase 2: Positioning Revamp your resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letters based on clarity—not desperation or job boards.

Phase 3: Confidence Practice your interview skills. Repeatedly. Also identify what holds you back—limiting beliefs and inner scripts that no longer serve you.

Phase 4: Visibility Are you in front of decision-makers? Are you networking and having conversations—or staying home hoping someone will discover you? Please, this is no time to be shy. Today it is you. Next day it is them. We need to support each other. Also please do not only say "I am looking for a job", educate them about the type of jobs you are looking for (again that is why Phase 1 is crucial). If you rumble, no one will understand what you want. 

A Final Thought

If there’s one thing I want you to hear, it’s this: you are not broken, behind, or failing because this job market is hard. This is a structural moment. And moments like this call for clarity, preparation, and compassion toward yourself—not panic. 

This is exactly why I wrote my new book, More Than a Paycheck.  

I wrote it especially for those who may not want—or may not be able—to work with me one-on-one. That should never be a barrier to clarity, dignity, or meaningful work. Everyone can afford $10-$24 books to get support. 

The book is designed as a DIY guide with a workbook-style approach—to help you reflect, regroup, and make intentional career decisions at your own pace, with real structure and guidance. 

If you are navigating this job market on your own and thinking, “I just need something solid to help me think clearly again,” this book was written with you in mind.

You deserve support—whether it comes through coaching, a book in your hands, or simply knowing you are not alone in this moment.

Purposefully and Gratefully,

Ozlem Brooke Erol