The employment landscape is constantly changing. Keep up on the most recent trends with our Monthly Job Market Summary. All data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the America Staffing Association.
TalentRise’s monthly overview of the employment landscape, staffing updates, and industry trends in both the US and Canada
The employment landscape is constantly changing. Keep up on the most recent trends with our Monthly Job Market Summary. All data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the America Staffing Association.
The unemployment rate changed a little at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment continued to trend up in health care and government. Federal government continued to lose jobs.
In June, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 190,000 to 1.6 million. The long-term unemployed accounted for 23.3 percent of all unemployed people.
In June, the labor force participation rate changed little by by 0.1 percentage point to 62.3 percent.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 8 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $36.30 in June. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.7 percent. In June, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 9 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $31.24
The number of people employed part time for economic reasons, at 4.5 million, changed little in June. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced, or they were unable to find full-time jobs.
In June, the number of people not in the labor force who currently want a job was little changed at 6.0 million. These individuals were not counted as unemployed because they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unavailable to take a job.
Temporary help employment decreased to 1.59 of total nonfarm employment in June.
The recruitment industry faces unprecedented challenges despite continued job growth.
Traditional staffing revenues have declined as employers increasingly bypass conventional recruitment channels, turning to internal teams, RPOs, and digital platforms instead.
70% of employers now prioritizing verified capabilities over degrees
Key market changes reshaping the landscape include a shift toward skills-based hiring, with over 70% of employers now prioritizing verified capabilities over degrees. AI integration is accelerating placements but requires strategic implementation to maintain human insight for cultural fit assessment.
However, clients increasingly demand lower fees, longer guarantees, and clearer ROI demonstrations, pressuring traditional business models.
Success requires moving beyond transactional relationships to genuine partnership. This means adopting candidate-centric approaches that prioritize cultural fit and career alignment, emphasizing quality over quantity in candidate presentation, and streamlining processes while providing strategic market insights.
For companies seeking engineering and IT talent, the key is partnering with recruitment firms that understand both technical requirements and human elements driving successful placements. Choose partners who combine technological efficiency with specialized expertise and deliver genuine value through strategic partnership rather than transactional service.