07-23-2025
Business Insider says the 2025 job search is bad, no matter your age. For Gen Z, it is even worse. The New York Federal Reserve reported that the job market for 22-to-27-year-olds with a bachelor’s degree or higher “deteriorated noticeably” in the first quarter. A 2024 grad interviewed by the publication said she submitted hundreds of applications before finally landing a role in media strategy through networking. The traditional job search with a resume of internships, strong academics, and a college degree is not leading to job offers. DOGE’s cost-cutting included funding for jobs that some young graduates used to apply for at government agencies, nonprofits, science labs, and public health centers. Layoffs or hiring freezes have impacted white-collar jobs at many big corporations. The “Great Resignation” job market of the pandemic is over.
Gen Z’s unemployment rate is rising, and they are losing confidence that the investment in their degrees will pay off. Some are pivoting to whatever work they can realistically find. They have a higher unemployment rate than the overall American workforce. This statistic has been accurate since 2021, a trend that is the reverse of typical young grad trends, who used to outperform the overall job market.
Millennials and Gen X are also impacted by the current job market, which is called the “Great Flattening.” Workers in the middle of their careers who want to move up are challenged to find those positions. One individual told Business Insider that she primarily sees roles for people with a high level of experience or complete beginners. More large companies are reducing middle management positions to cut bureaucracy and costs. Firings and layoffs of middle managers primarily impact workers ages 35 to 44 and have risen more than 400% from 2022 to 2024. With baby boomers staying in their jobs well past retirement age because of financial concerns, there are fewer positions for Gen X and Millennials to move into.