Let’s be honest: the job market right now feels like a game of musical chairs—except the music’s stopped, the chairs are bolted down, and everyone’s too scared to move.
You might be scrolling LinkedIn like it’s your part-time job, re-polishing your résumé again (and again), and still asking yourself: Why does everything feel so… stuck?
Maybe you're technically employed, but deeply unfulfilled—and yet frozen by fear at the thought of making a leap.
Or maybe you're in the trenches of job hunting, firing off application after application into what feels like a black hole.
Here’s what I want you to know—deep in your gut:
You’re not alone.
And more importantly? Just because the market is frozen doesn’t mean you have to be.
Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with leadership educator and coach Katie O’Malley, whose take on the current labor market—and the mindset shift required to move through it—left me grounded, inspired, and honestly, ready to take action.
What she shared? It’s something every professional navigating this weird, wonky market needs to hear.
So today, I want to walk you through what’s really going on out there—and more importantly, how you can keep moving forward, one intentional, courageous step at a time.
Prefer to listen? I cover everything in my latest podcast—watch it here.
What’s Actually Happening in the Labor Market?
If you’ve been feeling like the job market is… off? You’re not imagining it. You're picking up on something real.
According to Executive Coach and Leadership Educator Katie O'Malley, “we're in kind of a stalemate of a labor market. Employers are not creating new jobs. Employees are not leaving their jobs… out of fear of being the last one in, first one out.”
And yet—get this—51% of employed Americans are watching for or actively seeking a new job right now, according to Gallup. They’re just not making the leap.
Why? Fear. And uncertainty.
Oh—and there’s more.
Katie also pointed out that this frozen labor market is now being flooded by over 100,000 federal employees, displaced in the wake of political changes and looming instability. And unfortunately, this trend isn't reversing anytime soon.
So if you’ve been job-seeking and it feels like it’s taking forever, that’s also backed by data. According to the Wall Street Journal, the average length of a job search is now about six months.
And if you’re making a full-on career change? Buckle up for 10+ months.
These timelines are influenced by various factors, including industry trends, economic conditions, and personal adaptability.
But here’s the thing: You are not powerless.
Why the Labor Market Feels Frozen
In a frozen job market, it’s tempting to hit pause. “I’ll wait until things get better.” “Maybe next year will be a better time to change jobs.”
Sound familiar?
But as Katie O’Malley wisely said: “Don’t delay—start right now.”
If you’re serious about changing roles, shifting industries, or even re-entering the workforce, now is the time to lay the groundwork.
Yes, it might take longer than it used to. But the longer you wait to start, the longer it’ll take to get there.
So what does "laying the groundwork" actually look like?
✅ Working with a career coach
✅ Refreshing your résumé and LinkedIn profile
✅ Practicing your interview skills
✅ Reconnecting with your network (especially when it feels awkward)
✅ Getting crystal clear on what you actually want next—not just what you’ll tolerate
Let me be super clear here: This is not about rushing. It’s about readiness.
Because when the opportunity does come—and it will—you won’t be scrambling.
You’ll be ready to take it.
Need help navigating the Frozen Labor Market? Book a free Career Clarity Call today.
The Career Strategy You Need Right Now
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this:
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the next best step.
Not the perfect step. Not the final step. Just the next one.
Katie put it perfectly:
“It is a very overwhelming and anxiety-producing era of humanity right now… the very best antidote to anxiety will always be action. So just keep taking the next best step.”
What does that look like?
✨ Reaching out to someone on LinkedIn whose job you admire.
✨ Applying for one role today, not ten.
✨ Rewriting your résumé summary to reflect where you’re going—not just where you’ve been.
Whatever it is, trust this:
Small steps count.
They build momentum.
They create clarity.
They pull you out of paralysis and into purpose.
When Career Moves Don’t Go As Planned
Let’s talk about it: disappointment.
Maybe you’ve already taken some steps. Maybe you’ve made changes, applied to roles, tried to “do all the right things”—and still, nothing has happened yet.
That doesn’t mean you failed. And it definitely doesn’t mean you should give up.
Katie shared something so powerful from her own journey:
“Every time it didn't necessarily get better, but it got me closer to what was really going to be the most engaging, satisfying, fulfilling, and rewarding.”
Sometimes the step you take won’t be the one—but it will be the one that gets you closer.
Closer to clarity. Closer to alignment. Closer to the thing that actually fits.
Maybe it teaches you something about yourself. Maybe it shows you what you don’t want.
Maybe it lights a fire you didn’t know you had.
That insight? It’s gold.
This isn’t about quick wins or overnight results.
It’s about directional movement.
You’re not starting over—you’re building forward.
Hope Is the Real Career Strategy
There’s something quietly powerful—radical, even—about the mindset Katie models.
Even when the path ahead was messy, uncertain, unclear…
She kept going.
Why?
“I always had hope. I better understand myself… my strengths and my values every time. It’s going to get better.”
That belief—that your next move can be more aligned, more meaningful, more you—isn’t naïve.
It’s necessary.
Hope is what fuels action. It’s what gives you the courage to leave the job that drains you. It’s what gives you permission to apply for the opportunity that feels like a stretch. It’s what quiets the inner critic and amplifies your sense of possibility.
So if you’re low on hope right now—if you’re tired, jaded, burned out—I get it.
But let this be your reminder:
You can still find your way forward.
Even here. Even now.
The Micro Actions That Create Macro Change
The labor market may be frozen, but you don’t have to be.
Katie offers this piece of encouragement for those wondering what they can control:
“What are the challenges that you can make on a micro level every day to ensure that you are contributing to this not becoming our norm?”
That’s where real change happens—at the micro level.
Here are some small, high-impact actions you can take this week:
✔ Update Your LinkedIn Headline
Make it reflect where you’re going—not just your current title.
✔ Reach Out to 3 Former Colleagues
Let them know you're exploring your next chapter. Ask how they’re doing. Build the bridge.
✔ Sign Up for a Free Webinar or Workshop
Whether it's on career clarity, interview prep, or leadership development—invest in your growth.
✔ Journal About What’s Missing
What do you crave in your next role? What do you want more of? Less of?
✔ Set a Tiny, Achievable Goal
Like applying to one role this week. Or reading a blog post like this one (✅ nailed it).
FAQ: Career Strategies in a Frozen Labor Market
Should I wait for the market to improve before making a change?
Nope. Waiting is not a strategy. Now is the time to get ready—update your materials, build your network, get clear on what you want. Laying the foundation now shortens the distance later.
How do I know if I need a career coach?
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, directionless—or like you’re in a never-ending loop of journaling and job board scrolling—it might be time. A coach helps you get out of your own head and into real action with clarity, confidence, and support.
How long does it usually take to find a job in this labor market?
The average is now 6–10+ months depending on your industry and goals. The key is starting early and using strategy over guesswork.
Meet Your Career Clarity Coach
I’m Theresa White, a career clarity coach who helps high-achieving professionals figure out their next move with confidence—without wasting months stuck in a loop of journaling, job board scrolling, or burnout. Through my signature Career Clarity Formula, I help you define your values, align with roles that excite you, and take real steps toward landing a fulfilling job.
Ready to take action? Book a free career clarity call here.
Final Word on the Labor Market
Let’s face it—the job market is tough right now.
There’s no sugarcoating that.
But I want you to hear this loud and clear:
You are not powerless.
You are not too late.
And you are definitely not stuck forever.
You can take one small action today—yes, today—that brings you closer to work that feels aligned, fulfilling, and sustainable.
Maybe even joyful.
That action might be brushing up your LinkedIn. Booking a coaching call. Or just taking a quiet walk to clear your head and reconnect with yourself.
Whatever it looks like, remember this:
Every step counts.
Because it’s not about figuring it all out today.
It’s about taking the next best step.
And you?
You’ve got this.
Need support taking your next step?
I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Reach out any time—I’m in your corner. And if you’re not sure where to start, start by booking a free career clarity call with my team.
Let’s move forward—together.
Other resources job seekers are grabbing
- Top Career Milestones to hit on 2025
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- Transition to a new career without starting over
- Free Job Search Tracker
- Get Career Clarity In Just 30 Days!
👉 Ready for career clarity in record time? Request a free consultation with me today.
