Welcome to the Career Economy!
The roller coaster continues…and I have a feeling we won’t be pulling to a stop for another three years and ten months. 😱 That means it’s either time to get out your air sickness bag or we need to change things up around here.
So this month—and likely for the foreseeable future—we’re shifting the format of the Career Economy Newsletter. Don’t worry; you’re still going to get the same opinions, observations, and insights. Instead of drowning you in data, we’ll give you the pulse of what’s going on, call out trends that actually matter, and leave you with specific things you can do right now—whether you’re job searching, staying put, or running a business in this chaos.
Here we go!
The Pulse: Here’s What Happened in March
- Jobs Added: 228,000
- Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
- Wage Growth: Holding at +0.3% month-over-month
- Federal Employment: Down again, not shocking (-4,000 jobs)
- Bright Spots: Healthcare (+54K), Social Assistance (+24K), Transportation & Warehousing (+23K)
- Retail Bump: +24K jobs (mostly from food/bev folks returning after a strike)
It’s a better report than in February, but not without caveats—January and February’s job gains were both revised down by a combined 48,000 jobs, so we’re still operating on a bit of a shaky foundation.
The market isn’t crashing, but it’s not inspiring confidence either. Also, not shocking.
Trends We’re Tracking (a.k.a. Parts of the Sh*t Storm Worth Watching)
- Confidence is Still 💩 (hey, might as well keep the sh*t storm theme, right?)
Glassdoor’s Employee Confidence Index inched up to 45.2%—woohoo? That’s barely better than February’s near-all-time low and still one of the weakest showings since 2016. Government workers and middle managers remain a big contributor to the lack of satisfaction for very obvious reasons. - Slow, Sticky Hiring Is the New Normal
Yes, jobs are being added. Yes, people are landing roles. But the hiring processes are still moving at a snail’s pace. Employers are cautious, timelines are stretched, and it’s taking longer than ever to move from “we like you” to “here’s an offer.” - Federal Cuts Continue
Another 4,000 federal jobs are gone, on top of 11,000 in February—and that doesn’t count contractors whose funding has quietly disappeared. While the private sector hasn’t felt a full impact yet, we’re watching this closely. As the federal impacts trickle down, it’s only a matter of time until we see increased competition and (even) higher volumes of applicants. - Market Segments Feeling Things Less
E-commerce, logistics, and supply chain roles are seeing consistent gains. If you’re looking for stability in a market that isn’t tech or healthcare, this might be worth exploring—even if it’s not where you thought you’d land or where you want to be in the long run. This is a time to work and search smarter, not harder.
What You Can Actually Do
Because doom-scrolling is NOT a strategy!
🔎 If You’re Job Searching (or Considering It)
✔ Be Fast + Tailored: Get your resume in within 24-48 hours of a job posting and make sure it actually speaks to the job.
✔ Get in Front of Humans: Leverage your network, make warm introductions, and don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed LinkedIn message.
✔ Watch for Openings in Underrated Industries: Healthcare, transportation/logistics, and even social services are hiring more than you think.
💪 If You’re Staying Put (But Want to Be Smart)
✔ Visibility Is Key: This is not the moment to be a quiet contributor. Take initiative, join cross-functional teams, and document your wins.
✔ Invest in Skills That Keep You Relevant: AI, communication, cross-team collaboration. Become the person no one wants to lose.
✔ Keep a Go Bag: Your resume, LinkedIn, and elevator pitch should be ready to roll—just in case.
💼 If You’re Running a Business or Leading a Team
✔ Expect Hesitation: Buyers are still slow to make decisions. Don’t interpret ghosting as disinterest—stay persistent without being pushy.
✔ Anchor to ROI + Values: If you’re selling a service or experience, your value prop needs to speak to both logic and heart.
✔ Track Industry Hiring Trends: When your client’s hiring freezes, that may impact your pipeline. Look for early signals and diversify where you can.
The Bottom Line
The numbers may shift month to month, but there’s a common theme I suspect we’ll continue to observe for months and months: slow growth, low confidence, and lots of uncertainty.
Nothing is panic-worthy at this point, but it is a moment to stay sharp and stay ready.
Remember:
Control what you can. Don’t get frozen by what you can’t.
And definitely don’t let the headlines decide how you show up.
Be curious. Be kind. Be you.
Your Friend and Coach,
Angie Callen, CERW, CPRW, CPCC
