It’s not the people or lack of motivation that’s making it hard to find a job, it’s what is going on in the economy. According to http://linkedin.com, they refer to this as the “great freeze” with the labor market and the effects of not as many people getting hired. The cause of “the great freeze” is because employment demand has collapsed as the employment rate is down 16% since 2019.

This can cause many issues in both the job market and economy. If there aren’t jobs, not as many people are hired. The market stops working its usual cycle, roles not being as open, and teams not expanding more.

According to indeed.com, there are key reasons why finding a job is tough. One of the reasons is because of the private job postings and internal hiring. Employers of the company typically use private job postings to attract the talented candidates who already know about their company. Another reason could be the preferences the hiring manager looks for. Even when the position is out to the public, employers would often rather hire internal employees or people with more experience.

Another reason why companies aren’t hiring as many people (as cited by cnbc.com) is because of the introduction of AI. It’s not fully replacing humans but allows businesses to hire fewer people.

Needless to say, it’s still tough even for college grads who are trying to get the job market. According to cnbc.com, “Some 76% of employers reported hiring the same number or fewer entry-level employees in 2025 than in 2024, according to the Cengage report. Their reasonings for less robust hiring were due to a tightening labor market, the rise of AI and broader economic pressures like inflation and new tariff policies.”

Since 2022, the unemployment rate of graduates has been rising to 9.7% following September 2025. The unemployment rate for college graduates had been lower than people with a high school diploma.

There are ways to increase your chance of finding a job. indeed.com, suggests regularly updating your resume to include any new achievements or certifications you have received. Stay in contact with the company if you haven’t heard back from. This shows interest to the hiring manager and employers. Lastly, use your network. They may know of jobs that you might not readily find–maybe they’re even hiring! So, be sure to ask friends and family. Consider attending a job fair near you to network more.