Labor Market Overview - Indeed's job posting index is at 101.7% nationally, indicating job postings are 1.7% higher than pre-pandemic levels [2] - The job posting index declined 0.8% in October and 2.3% in September, showing a slightly less sharp decline in October [2] - The labor market remains in a "low hire, low fire" environment, indicating a stagnant situation [12] Sector and Regional Variations - Healthcare and security sectors show strong job postings, with many engineering fields around 20% above pre-COVID averages [4] - Software development, data analytics, scientific research, and media sectors are down 30-40% compared to pre-pandemic numbers [4] - Regions hit hardest by layoffs and tech cuts have lower job postings, including Washington DC [5] - States like Idaho, Tennessee, and the Carolinas remain well above their pre-pandemic norms [5] Impact of AI - AI is not currently seen as a primary driver of mass layoffs [6] - Corporations are budgeting for AI, leading to a hold on new hires rather than massive firings [8] - AI's impact is more likely to be seen in less hiring rather than massive firing at the moment [8] Economic Factors - Tariffs and uncertainty contribute to the low hire environment [9] - The Indeed data serves as a good proxy for JOLTS data, providing insights into workforce dynamics [10]