Most US Workers Say Now is a Bad Time to Hunt for New Jobs

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A new Gallup survey shows that Americans' outlook on the job market has turned increasingly pessimistic, with just 28% of workers saying now is a 'good time' to find a quality job, compared to 72% who say it is a bad time. This is a sharp reversal from just a few years ago, when 70% said it was a good time to search for a job. The survey found that job pessimism is especially pronounced among college graduates, with only 19% of workers with a college degree thinking that now is a good time to find a quality job.

Why it matters

The figures help explain other surveys that show Americans have a largely bleak view of the economy, even as many headline measures suggest it has been growing and job losses are low. The shift in sentiment likely reflects an ongoing hiring drought, especially in many white-collar professions, that has made it harder for workers to find new jobs.

The details

The Gallup survey, conducted in the final three months of 2025, found a split based on education levels, with just 19% of workers with a college degree thinking that now is a good time to find a quality job, while 35% of workers without a college degree are optimistic. The survey also found that younger workers are much likelier than older workers to say they're actively looking for a new job or watching for opportunities.

• The Gallup survey was conducted from October 30 to November 13, 2025.
• In mid-2022, 70% of workers said it was a good time to find a job, compared to just 28% in the latest survey.