Economy

More Than Half of New Hires Land Jobs in a Month—With Tempered Expectations

A new survey shows U.S. job seekers increasingly seek stability, even if it means lower pay or compromised roles.
More Than Half of New Hires Land Jobs in a Month—With Tempered Expectations
A "Now Hiring" sign outside Taylor Party and Equipment Rentals in Somerville, Mass., on Sept. 1, 2022. Brian Snyder/Reuters
Panos Mourdoukoutas
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The labor market is becoming more efficient and flexible, with job seekers finding and accepting positions more quickly—provided they are willing to compromise on role expectations and pay—according to ZipRecruiter’s new report.

The fourth-quarter 2025 survey of new hires, conducted among more than 1,500 adults who began their current job within the past six months, offers a snapshot of shifting labor market conditions, highlighting changes in speed, leverage, and job opportunities over time.

Job-Hugging Replaces Job-Hopping

One key finding from the survey is that jobs are being secured more quickly. In the fourth quarter, 53 percent of new hires reported finding a job within a month, up from 47 percent in the third quarter.
Panos Mourdoukoutas
Panos Mourdoukoutas
Author
Panos Mourdoukoutas is a professor of economics at Long Island University in New York City. He also teaches security analysis at Columbia University. He’s been published in professional journals and magazines, including Forbes, Investopedia, Barron's, IBT, and Journal of Financial Research. He’s also the author of many books, including “Business Strategy in a Semiglobal Economy” and “China's Challenge.”