Slate Daily Feed Death, Sex & Money - Why Job Hunting Feels So Grim Lately, Especially for Gen Z
Sep 30, 2025
Brendan Liaw, a recent Jeopardy! champion and aspiring law student, opens up about job hunting while humorously noting his 'stay-at-home son' status. Journalist Nitish Pahwa discusses the economic hurdles like automation and hiring freezes that complicate job searches for many. Writer Melanie Ehrenkranz shares her personal experiences with layoffs, addressing the emotional toll and ongoing stigma. Together, they unpack the grim reality of job hunting today and offer insights on finding community and reclaiming identity after job loss.
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The Post‑Pandemic Hiring Shock
- Post-pandemic shifts and economic tightening created fewer entry-level roles and frozen hiring at previously fast-growing firms.
- The era of cheap capital enabled rapid hiring and startup growth that no longer exists.
Rates Changed The Hiring Playbook
- Higher interest rates and sustained tightening put the brakes on effortless spending and hiring that characterized the low-rate era.
- Companies responded by hiring far more cautiously and freezing growth roles.
Be Realistic When Advising Jobseekers
- Help jobseekers by acknowledging hiring pipelines are thin and often automated, not by offering platitudes.
- Avoid telling them to "just network" without recognizing automation and scarce openings.