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The U.S. labor market is shifting gears.

November’s Employment Situation report shows job growth slowing to 64,000 positions and unemployment holding at 4.6%, signaling a transition from the red-hot hiring of recent years to a more measured pace. While health care and construction remain strong, other sectors are cooling, and wage growth is moderating without reversing. For employers, this means moving from “acute scarcity” to “selective competition”—a moment to rethink strategies for attracting and retaining talent in a changing landscape.

 October Sees Return of Private Sector Job Growth

The government shutdown has frozen the official BLS employment report and other crucial datasets, increasing reliance on high-frequency, private data such as ADP, Challenger and Reuters.

Despite a challenging backdrop and another month of the government shutdown, October’s gain of 42,000 private sector jobs signals a hopeful shift in labor market momentum. This marks the first positive movement since July, suggesting that employers may be regaining confidence and beginning to stabilize after months of uncertainty. Steady wage growth of 4.5% year-over-year further reinforces this resilience, indicating that businesses remain willing to invest in talent and maintain competitive compensation, even amid cautious hiring trends.

September Jobs Slow as Wage Growth Holds

The government shutdown has frozen the official BLS employment report and other crucial datasets, increasing reliance on high-frequency, private data such as ADP, Challenger and Indeed.

While job postings have moderated across many sectors, this shift reflects a recalibration rather than a crisis. Employers are taking a more measured approach to hiring, which can create space for more strategic placements and long-term workforce planning. For new entrants, including recent graduates and those early in their careers, this environment encourages a focus on skill-building and targeted job searches that align with evolving industry needs. Although mobility has slowed, it also signals a period of consolidation during which companies are reassessing their roles and talent strategies. This can lead to more thoughtful hiring decisions and better alignment between candidates and opportunities.

Cooling Jobs Market in August Fuels a Stable Growth Path

The August labor market report reflects a cooling U.S. economy, with job creation slowing to 22,000, levels reminiscent of the early pandemic recovery. While this marks a deceleration from July, it also signals a potential turning point where the labor market may be stabilizing after months of volatility. Amid signs of economic stagnation, the modest job gains suggest resilience in key sectors and offer policymakers a clearer view of where targeted support may be most effective moving forward.