There's some talk in several threads about the job market being rough right now. Is this true? Can those who were laid off or those who are looking in general please let us know what the situation is like? When I search for open positions, I get a whole slew of results, but that doesn't mean much. Some companies post those even when they're not hiring. What I'm interested in is interviews and offers. Are you getting any?
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@3wnr+1qrz2w7O Can confirm, it’s rough out there.
@2imy+1qrz2w7O nailed it. “The job market” can and does look very different depending on your own unique skill set, experience, etc. The more unique or niche (and in demand) your skills, the better your prospects. The inverse is also true.
Your capabilities to market yourself can also play a massive role. You may very well be competing with many others who have equal or even better resumes. What are you doing to ensure yours stands out or gets in front of the right people? You’re just another applicant…until you’ve done something to ensure you’re not.
All of that said, today’s job market is “weird”. I know several people who have never before had problems getting interviews and offers who are…now having those problems. These are top-notch candidates too. People I would absolutely hire who present well, have great experience, awesome references, etc. I can’t explain it and neither can they. They’re super frustrated and thinking “If someone like ME is having trouble finding a new job, something is up. I’ve never before had problems with this but now I apply for jobs for which I’m a perfect candidate and - if I get any response at all - it’s the standard “You are an impressive candidate but we’re going to move in a different direction. Best of luck with your job search.”
I’ve also had two friends go through multiple rounds of interviews only to then be ghosted. Not even a cursory email letting them know they weren’t selected. That’s a disturbing new trend. I can understand being ghosted after just submitting an initial application, but being ghosted after attending multiple Zoom and in-person interviews?? That’s straight up rude! Yet it has happened to two friends, both of whom are quality candidates.
If applying for new jobs today don’t assume it will be exactly like it was for you in prior years. Someone posted that employers are advertising jobs that don’t actually exist, and that may be part of it. There are several reasons smaller and mid-sized companies (i.e. most companies) might do that and it isn’t illegal. But I think there’s other things going on too which I can’t explain. If you think it’ll take you 3 months to find a new job, assume it will take 6+. The friends I mentioned above have said “I’m glad I already have a job because I had no idea it might be this difficult to find a new one. Something has definitely changed in recent years.”
YMMV and all that.
There's no good way to answer a generic "job market health" question. Even in the worst job market if you are in a role and have experience that's in demand you're going to get offers. In order to get a useful answer you have to ask a very specific question e.g. I want to get a Director-level job in X product / service space in a large-size corporation with Y benefits and Z location parameters.
As others have stated, depending on the industry you'll find it's gone down significantly e.g. startup tech is way down but tech is at the same time up in certain areas e.g. if you have experience with AI Technology it appears you can demand any number of jobs for a very high salary.
So until you can highlight WHAT kind of job you're looking for any answers you get (no matter how well informed or well intentioned) are going to be very generic and not necessarily helpful.
@1qma+1qrz2w7O When you studied footwear or apparel and have worked in footwear your entire life it’s not as easy to say that. Getting a job is one thing, maintaining your career is another.
To the other poster about Nike directors, it depends. Mostly from what I see you’re looking at a 50% paycut though
Footwear and tech are not the only industries. Get creative.
Nike director is more like manager or sr. Manager at most. I know bunch of directors manage less than 5 people. At least in tech, directors normally manage 50+ people
So if you're a director at Nike and want to get another director offer, it's very difficult.
Tech in particular is in a bloodbath, especially for recruiters, DEI, and certain non-direct revenue generating (cost center) roles. The interest rate increases to address inflation by the Fed stifles investment into startups (and thus hiring) while public tech companies layoff, outsource, and hiring freeze to bring costs down as they now pay debt at higher rates. They’re under pressure by investors to focus on profitability instead of growth like during the ZIRP years.
A similar example is this: Oil & Gas was shedding jobs like crazy during the end of Obama and into the Trump years due to the low oil cost, but people considered the overall job market & economy great during those times…
In general, if you want to stay in Portland and you work in product or want to stay in apparel and footwear, your options may be limited.
The Oregon jobless rate is 3.6%, which is pretty low. There are plenty of jobs available in Oregon. Maybe for some roles and fields there are fewer roles available.
There are really no jobs in Portland right now. Especially for director level.
As you may know, many people in other industries have been laid off and some have been looking for a year. Really depends what you do, but from what I see it’s worrisome. There are maybe 10 total jobs I’ve seen since being laid off that I even remotely qualify for in our industry and most are a step down.
Unfortunately, I can’t move. I imagine many will have to.