A Job Market That’s Still Hard to Read
We’ve talked about this in our previous updates, and the story this month hasn’t changed: this is still one of the hardest job markets in years to read. It’s not just confusing, it’s disorienting. The official data and what people are experiencing simply don’t line up, making it difficult to get a clear picture of what’s going on when the usual signs of the market no longer make sense.
It’s frustrating, but we’re here to bring clarity to what’s happening in the market so you can move forward in a time that’s anything but clear. Here’s what Boutique Recruiting is seeing:
Abnormal Revisions, Extended Unemployment & Ghost Jobs
The July jobs report was the weakest we’ve seen in a long time, with only 73,000 jobs added and some of the largest downward revisions in years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers always get adjusted, but the scale and speed of those revisions lately are unusual, making it tough for anyone to trust the first numbers that come out.
At the same time, ADP’s July report showed private employers adding 104,000 jobs across multiple industries. It’s one of the few signs of optimism we’ve seen lately, and a reminder that different measures can tell different stories about the same market.
Unemployment only ticked up to 4.2%, but extended unemployment is more common, weighing heavily on job seekers, with new graduate unemployment rates at a 30-year high. According to the Wall Street Journal, hiring cycles are dragging out to about 24 weeks, which is the longest they’ve stretched since 2009 and true entry-level paths, especially in admin, finance, and support roles, are becoming even harder to find. So while the overall market appears to be stable, for people out there looking for jobs — it feels a lot worse.
Part of the reason this market may feel so draining is due to the rise in ghost job postings which make it look like there are more opportunities out than what actually exists. According to a July 6, 2025 article in Forbes, there are a record number of job postings now that are not real. So, from the outside, it looks like companies are actively hiring, when in fact, they are not.
This disconnect between the numbers and the reality people are living is leaving job seekers stuck in a market that looks busier than it might be.
Fractional Hiring Is on the Rise
What is moving right now is demand for fractional and project-based executives, especially CFOs. As we move toward the end of the year, companies need leadership and financial guidance, but a full-time executive hire may not make sense for every business. Fractional roles give companies access to the expertise they need, for as long as they need it, without the long-term cost or commitment. This flexible approach is helping organizations address real challenges and prepare for the next stage of growth.
High-Potential Talent: The Opportunity Is There for the Taking
A new LinkedIn survey reported that nearly 60% of professionals feel underutilized at work. For business leaders, that’s a clear sign this is a good time to upgrade your team, so now is the time to be proactive about hiring and see how much potential is out there that you might be missing.
Industry Insights: August 2025
These are the biggest recruitment trends we’re seeing in hiring right now, based on the industries what we’re working in every day.
Administrative & Office Support
Hiring for experienced office managers and executive assistants is steady, but searches are slow. Entry-level opportunities are limited.
Accounting & Finance
Accountants, analysts, and compliance professionals are still needed, but most of the movement is happening at the senior and project level. Fractional CFO demand is growing in preparation for Q4.
Construction, Engineering & Manufacturing
Skilled labor remains in high demand, especially in energy, infrastructure, and chemicals. Companies are replacing retiring staff and adding roles as infrastructure spending and reshoring fuel growth. Every hire is being considered carefully.
Sales
Digital sales and customer success hiring is steady. Outbound sales is shrinking. Candidates with strong data and tech skills have the advantage.
Legal
Compliance and operations hiring continues, but most firms are moving slowly. The ones with a quick hiring cycle are landing stronger talent.
Technology
Tech hiring is cooling, especially in larger companies. Job postings and promotions are slower, and mid-level generalist roles are more competitive. Specialized areas like cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, and cloud infrastructure continue to see steady demand.
Wealth Management
Client-facing advisor roles remain open, but firms are selective. Communication and regulatory skills are required.
What This Means for Employers
If you want to get results in this market, you have to take the initiative. The market is slow right now because too many companies are holding steady and waiting for something to happen, when hiring is actually what’s needed to start making things happen. When businesses move, the market moves, and the ones brave enough to execute that first step in the face of uncertainty are the ones who end up benefiting the most.
There is more untapped talent available than we’ve seen in years, but you have to go after it. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, because nobody knows if or when they’ll come. The time is now, and you have more options than ever to move forward safely. You don’t have to make a full-time hire if it’s not the right move, and you don’t need to build out a full c-suite to scale. We can help you get the expertise you need, in the way that you need it, so you can get ahead in this market.
If you want to talk through your next step, schedule a strategy call with us. We’ll help you figure out the best way to move forward.