Aerotek, a leading provider of workplace solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance, announced the release of its Job Seeker Survey: Q2 2025. The survey offers new insights into how the economy is impacting job seekers’ searches, motivations and desired skill development.
Aerotek surveyed more than 2,600 recent job applicants to better understand job seekers’ sentiments in today’s labor market. The Job Seeker Survey: Q1 2025 marked the start of Aerotek’s 2025 report series, with respondents initially expressing optimism about their job searches and long-term career prospects. The latest findings, however, show a notable decline in positive sentiment. Thirty-four percent of job seekers now believe their chances of finding a quality job are worse than they were a year ago – a 14-point increase from Q1, signaling growing uncertainty in the job market.
Economic Barriers Limit Job Seekers’ Progress
Companies are slowing down their hiring processes and retaining existing employees longer, contributing to a significant drop in worker optimism about finding quality work. According to the survey, 55% of job seekers feel the economy is the biggest barrier to achieving their career goals. Additionally, 16% identify “gaps in employment history” as their most significant job search barrier, marking a 10-point increase since Aerotek’s Q1 2025 survey — the highest level recorded in the quarterly series.
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Job Searches Growing Longer and More Competitive
Survey results indicate that job searches are lasting longer, with 34% of respondents saying they have spent at least six months looking for work. This aligns with broader trends showing a slowdown in hiring activity in 2025. Additionally, more than 25% of job seekers expect to submit 50 or more applications before securing a position. This marks a slight increase from the previous survey and suggests job searches are requiring more time and effort.
Skill Development Expectations Are Shaping Job Choices
Job seekers increasingly expect continuous learning and skill-building opportunities from their employers. In fact, 73% of respondents expect employers to provide opportunities to acquire new skills, and more than 25% have left a job due to insufficient skill development. For companies seeking to improve their retention rate, providing skill development opportunities is essential. This is particularly important for those in industries challenged by the skilled labor shortage as a significant portion of skilled trades professionals retire from the workforce.
Leadership and Technical Skills Are Top Priorities for Job Growt
When asked about the skills they most want to develop, job seekers identified leadership as the top soft skill, with 29% aiming to improve in this area. On the hard skills side, nearly half (48%) expressed a strong interest in enhancing their technical proficiency related to their specific field, such as machinery operation, welding or electrical work.
“Our latest survey data shows that despite economic uncertainty and longer job searches making the labor market more challenging, job seekers remain focused on developing new skills to improve their prospects,” said Bill Ruff, vice president, strategic sales at Aerotek. “Employers who invest in training and development will be best positioned to attract and retain top talent in this evolving landscape. Ongoing training also plays a key role in closing skill gaps and preparing for workforce changes, including the retirement of experienced workers.”
Source: PRNewswire
