5 Job Search Predictions for 2025 – And what you can do to prepare for them!

Prediction 1: Which Industries will Likely be Affected

Based on the Trump Administration’s plans, certain economic sectors will be heavily impacted (for better or for worse). While the current rhetoric surrounding his platform and plans is evolving, and it is likely the administration’s initiatives will reach farther into the economy than what I suggest here, we should be ready for some significant changes in 3 sectors to be sure:

1. Manufacturing: the outlook is good to my eyes –

I think tariffs on imported goods will be good for US-based manufacturing which may mean a rise in employment in this sector. Certainly, the US Dept of Labor has been pushing for more manufacturing by pumping lots of money into education programs to increase CNC operator training and other programs preparing people to work in this space.

2. Healthcare: the outlook is a mixed bag to me –

Frankly, the things reported coming from the HHS Secretary nominee (Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr) is scary and doesn’t bode well for preventive medicine and pharmacology. His ideas on reducing the size of the CDC, other federal health institutions, and research funding looks like a slowdown in employment. But it can also mean a boon for front-line healthcare worker positions and hiring as more of us will likely be getting sicker faster.

3. Education: The outlook is bleak from my perspective –

The idea of eliminating the federal Dept of Education almost seems ludicrous and some of their work will undoubtedly be spread to other departments of the federal government. But all in his administration have been pretty vociferous about axing the department and student loan forgiveness programs. This will also likely mean losing many of the non-mandated programs and cutting back on some big ones (like funding for free lunches and breakfasts).

What You Can Do:

1. Your best options are to stay informed and read up on the current plans to assess how your industry or role might be affected.

2. Be sure to seek out a variety of reliable journalistic sources for your information. And go directly to the “horse’s mouth” like the White House, Federal department, and your state government websites.

3. Turn to your professional associations and government lobbies for your industry to get up-to-date insights.

Prediction 2: More Federal Workers will be in the Job Search Market

Many federal workers are going to find themselves in the job search market. It may be hard for them to do, but Trump and his cronies in the newly forming Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – you know, Musk and Ramaswamy – are not used to people telling them “No”. They will find ways to bully their ideas into place no matter how good or bad the idea may be. I expect them to go after some low-hanging fruit first while working on the tougher spaces the whole time in the background.

What You Can Do:

1. First, as I always say with the interview process, look at this through their eyes, their perspective. What you or I may feel is government waste worth eliminating may not be the same as what they believe. We need to be ready for what they think needs eliminating and likely will serve their needs and wants, not yours or mine.

2. Federal Workers – I am pleading with you here – GO FIND A CAREER COACH to help you, especially if you have not looked for a private sector position for five years or more! The job search landscape has changed dramatically and continues to change quickly! Thank you, Artificial Intelligence! Don’t try to go it alone. Seek out folks like me who can give you professional guidance. Military personnel need to find a coach who specializes in transitioning veterans to the private sector.

3. All job seekers – get a new skill! According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) one of the top reasons people lose their job is because they don’t have the skills needed for the next big thing coming down the pike. All employees must be on a program of continuous learning to stay relevant.

4. When seeking a new job, focus on your transferrable skills and telling the success stories from your past proving those skills. Remember, the interview process is a sales process. We all need to be good at persuading others we are the right one for the job. That is what success stories do.

Prediction 3: Some Middle Management Roles will be Eliminated

Middle management roles are being eliminated at an alarming rate. For example, last month Google announced it has cut 10% of its manager, Director, and VP roles to drive efficiency. Last year United Parcel Service laid off more than 14,000 “management positions” across its global workforce. This trend is not new but is having an impact on the middle-class. According to Business Insider, Boeing, Meta, PwC, Tesla, Nike, and others have all done similarly just last year. I believe this trend will continue into this year and maybe beyond. 

The issue for many mid-career/middle managers becomes, “Now what? Where do I go?” Not everyone is cut out to take higher-level manager/leadership roles nor wants those roles. And is the career and salary stagnation of staying at the current level, or … taking a demotion … realistic?

What You Can Do:

1. One option is to fully join the gig economy. Many have done so already. But that kind of “self-employment” or consulting work is not for everyone.

2. Keep your eyes and ears open to what projects or problems or industry disruptors are on the horizon. And actively take steps to be ready for it. Again, keep up with your new skills training. Seek out thought leaders in your industry and follow them on LinkedIn. This is place where being proactive is likely to be your best defense … and offense!

Prediction 4: AI Adoption is Inescapable

Adopters of AI (and new tech, in general) will become the new leaders and managers. Early adopters of new technology often, if not always, fair better than those who lag behind in using new tech. We are seeing just the tip of the iceberg for what AI can do and what future technology holds. The perspective is, we can fear and shun it; or we can embrace it learning how to use it to our advantage.

What You Can Do:

1. Adopt a growth mindset. The stale and stagnant mind is the mind of one who is left behind. Seek out ways to capitalize on the new technologies. Now is a good time to identify people in your network, especially younger folks, who are early adopters and join them on the journey.

2. This one is a shoutout to my husband – I never thought I would be saying this because I am personally not a big fan - Read and watch sci-fi! Consider where the world first experienced the greater majority of all our technological advances – in the realm of sci-fi! Want to know what is coming? Look at recent past sci-fi novels!

3. Remember, technology has never reduced the overall employment rate. It simply has shifted jobs from one sector or role to another. AI and the next generation of technology is doing the same. Looks like a great place for learning new skills!

Prediction 5: The Skills Gap will Continue to Grow

There is an ever-Increasing gap in skills the workforce has, and those employers need. Okay, I know it sounds like a broken record at this point, but from my vantage point, it is likely the single biggest issue in career sustainability! So, I won’t drone on (catch the double entondre?) about this here.

What You Can Do:

1. Easily said is to seek out and follow the thought leaders in your industry.

2. Identify what are the new “hot trends”.  Right now, meta data gathering and analysis are hot. The use of drones is hot. AI is hot. Use this link to see what the big consulting firm, Deloitte, sees as hot in technology: Tech Trends 2025.

3. Learning how to communicate with other generations is a critical career sustaining skill. There are currently 4 generations in the workforce, each with its own communications style, vocabulary, and mode of messaging. I just learned that the thumbs up emoji is very disrespectful to Gen Z and Gen A. But to this Baby boomer author, it acknowledges the message, denotes understanding, acceptance and gratitude. Go figure! As I might have said to my Greatest Generation father, “Get with it pops!”

So, there you have it. My 5 predictions for 2025! What are your thoughts on the topic? Anything here resonate with you and your experiences? What do you see differently? Let me know! And in 2026 we can look back to see what has come to pass.