How to Survive and Thrive in the Current Job Market
Expert outlooks are bleak. LinkedIn is full of complaints. Is the job market really as hopeless as it seems?
THE NARRATIVE
“The job market sucks.”
“This is the worst job market we have ever seen.”
“This job market represents a paradigm shift in technology and politics and will continue to get worse.”
Log on to LinkedIn, and it is no surprise these narratives are circulating. Even job seekers with high qualifications are struggling to find work, and the amount of time workers remain unemployed has expanded from three months to over nine, depending on which report you consult. The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights that
only 22,000 jobs were added in August 2025, drastically lower than what most expected.
for the first time in nearly four years, the economy lost jobs, with a decline of 13,000 positions in June.
the jobless rate rose to 4.3%, the highest level since 2021.
What does all of this mean? Is the outlook really as bleak as we’re seeing in both traditional and social media?
Hi, I’m Jessica Buchleitner. After over 13 years as a communications advisor specializing in change dynamics, an award-winning journalist, and a diplomat, I’ve seen countless examples of how stories shape power, culture, and connection. In this newsletter, I share insider tips to elevate your communication, unpack unconscious frameworks, and offer podcast interviews with experts across various industries to uncover their hidden stories.
I’m on a mission to help at least one million people become ambassadors of a more communicative, connected, and informed culture. If you want to engage in more meaningful conversations and rewrite your programming, this is your space. Welcome.
THE DECONSTRUCTION
I’d love to tell you that these worries are unfounded or unnecessary, but unfortunately, the market is more challenging than it has been in the past. Its state, however, should not be a reason for you to believe all hope is lost. If you were considering becoming an entrepreneur, now is the time to try your ideas out. If you’re burned out, now is the time to take a break and reevaluate what you want and where your talents could be best utilized.
Despite the negative news, people are STILL landing jobs, and very lucrative ones at that! Landing a new role will require more creativity and outreach than it has in the past, as passive applications will likely not make the cut. Fortunately, there is help and advice available to support you, so you don’t feel alone.
THE REWRITE
Reframing the job market narrative to your advantage is key to your success, or you will drown in the sea of bitter social media negativity. To do this, help has arrived!
Albert Qian, founder of Albert’s List, a 50k+ member group of recruiters, job seekers, and hiring managers in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, discusses reasons for current job market fluctuations on the recent episode of Narrative Dive podcast. He examines the impact of AI on job applications, Applicant Tracking Systems, recruitment flows, and the psychological effects of prolonged job searching. He also shares tips and winning insights from operating his community for over 12 years on how you can persevere and emerge more evolved.
Check out the episode below. You can also listen on Apple or Spotify.
Hang in there,
Jessica
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Listen up. Narrative Dive is also a podcast available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms. Each episode features in-depth conversations with distinguished experts who discuss common narratives present in their field.
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