Job seekers feel awful about the labor market. Data is finally starting to explain why.

Job Market Overview - The US job market is experiencing significant challenges, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3% in August, the highest since October 2021, after remaining between 4% and 4.2% since May 2024 [3] - Economic data revisions indicate a net loss of 13,000 jobs in June 2024, marking the first monthly job loss since December 2020, and nearly a million fewer jobs added than previously reported for the year prior through March 2025 [3] Job Seekers' Experience - Job seekers, particularly those trying to enter the labor market or switch jobs, are facing difficulties, as evidenced by one individual who submitted over 500 applications but only secured two interviews [4] - The share of unemployed Americans who have been out of work for more than 27 weeks reached 25.7% in August, a level not seen since early 2022 [5] Employment Dynamics - Employed individuals are hesitant to leave their current jobs due to the challenging job market, leading to a situation where job applications have become a full-time endeavor for many [5] - The current labor market is characterized as a "no-hire, no-fire" environment, where economic uncertainty is causing companies to refrain from hiring [5]