[MeetingsBrowser]

I don’t know how to make the statistics match my perceived reality.

Both in this thread, and people I know in real life who are looking for jobs are struggling hard. Mass layoffs are becoming more common and the time spent between jobs is measured in six month increments.

And yet, the numbers say we are in a hiring market with more job openings than ever, except for during the pandemic.

My perceived reality and the numbers almost could not be further apart.

[Varelion]

Why would the (USA) job numbers be real? We have yes-men at every level, purposefully installed to spin any and everything in the most positive light possible. And, if not, outright fabricate numbers.

[bwestergard]

Former BLS officials still believe the numbers are reliable, because the methodology is public and there are lots of ways for well-financed actors (e.g. wall street traders) to spot manipulation.

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5530733/bls-jobs-report...

[WorldMaker]

It reminds me of 2008/2009, but weirder. I remember in that time a lot of companies going through the motions as if everything was alright and they were still hiring just fine, but then not actually hiring in the way they were acting.

It seems weirder now partly because it isn't a clear across the board recession, though part of me keeps looking at quarterly earnings reports and the DOW and keeps wondering if we're still "early 2008" on that rather than "late 2009" and that it will get worse before it gets better.

[icedchai]

Same. I'm still employed, but am looking. I've had a few interviews but they're all for jobs I wouldn't really want. I know talented people who were laid off and have been looking for 6 to 9 months+. It's very rough out there. I've witnessed the dot-com crash, great financial crisis... this is the worst I've seen. Maybe other industries are better.

[wc_nomad]

Same, I'm at about a 40% ghost rate & 5% response for any applications I put out.

Most everyone I talk with is looking as well, but nobody has moved roles. It feels like were all stuck.

[icedchai]

Yep, I feel stuck. Almost everyone I talk to is unhappy.

[Silo2569]

Just wanted you to know you're not alone. Most people in my company are on in the same boat. Tenures keep rising.