ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Survey 2026 Q3
The ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Index eased 6.3 points in the third quarter of 2026, to 93.5. That’s a step back from Q1’s stronger reading, as hiring activity slowed and inflation ticked back up over recent months. Conflicting economic signals and movements from employers are leaving many job seekers more anxious about their prospects than in our last read. But job seekers aren’t standing still and accepting defeat: many are upskilling, sharpening their search strategies, and turning to AI tools to stay competitive in a market that keeps changing shape.
Summer Job Postings Surge 82%, Yet Many Young Workers Struggle to Get Hired
Looking for a summer job this year? The timing of a summer job search matters more than you might think. ZipRecruiter’s latest data shows that the best time to apply depends heavily on local weather and school calendars rather than a single national timeline.
ZipRecruiter’s Graduate Survey 2026
As the labor market has remained stalled for much of the last year, the entry-level job market is tightening. These roles are harder to find and more competitive right now than more senior positions. ZipRecruiter’s data shows that more job seekers are competing for entry-level positions, while fewer of the available jobs are actually entry-level. This means emerging talent faces more competition to get their foot in the door.
ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Survey 2026 Q1
The ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Index grew by 2.9 points in the first quarter of 2026, landing at 99.8 – the highest it’s been since 2022. The Expectations Index took a large leap forward, with job seekers having much more positive expectations about the market than in the past several quarters, a positive sign as the labor market shows early signals of a turnaround.
ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Survey 2025 Q4
The ZipRecruiter Job Seeker Confidence Index grew by 2.9 points in the first quarter of 2026, landing at 99.8 – the highest it’s been since 2022. The Expectations Index took a large leap forward, with job seekers having much more positive expectations about the market than in the past several quarters, a positive sign as the labor market shows early signals of a turnaround.
ZipRecruiter Graduate Survey 2025
ZipRecruiter’s recent study of U.S. employers found that 76% planned to expand headcount in 2025, with 53% anticipating modest increases and 23% expecting more significant growth. Will these plans shake out? And how will that translate to hiring for the newest class of labor market entrants?
The class of 2025 expects to find work quickly, and many are beginning their job search well ahead of graduation. Yet for those who already graduated, the job hunt has often proven more protracted, salaries lower than expected, and the transition to work more rigid than they had hoped.
ZipRecruiter Annual Graduate Survey 2023
The Covid pandemic hit during their Freshman year, upending everything from classes and college housing to sports and campus jobs. Now—having endured setbacks, adapted, and persevered—the Class of 2023 is about to graduate and enter the workforce.
ZipRecruiter Annual Graduate Report 2022
ZipRecruiter’s inaugural report, “The Class of 2022: The Job Market Outlook for Grads” reveals that today’s graduates are entering a very different job market. There are lots of rewarding opportunities open to them, and employers are rolling out the red carpet to attract them. However, it’s not all roses—in-person internships are scarce and more competitive than ever. And inflation is packing a punch.