In a surprising twist for the American economy, companies with jobs that are often overlooked or considered undesirable are now experiencing some of their best recruitment results in years. This shift comes as the broader U.S. labor market shows signs of cooling, leaving job seekers with fewer options and less leverage.
A Dramatic Turnaround in Recruitment
The change is starkly evident at firms like AQC Traffic Control. Just two years ago, CEO Marcus Rush received a meager 10 applications per week for positions involving long shifts directing traffic near construction sites. Today, that number has skyrocketed to as many as 80 applications weekly.
"When my office phone rings, my ears perk up because I wonder if it’s a new customer," Rush said. "Now, every time I hear a phone ring, it’s someone calling in to check on a job application. That never used to happen."
Which Sectors Are Seeing the Boom?
This trend extends far beyond roadwork. Employers and staffing agencies report a significant pickup in applicants for a range of roles that are typically shunned due to their low pay, inconsistent hours, or difficult working conditions.
These positions include:
- Substitute teachers
- Prison guards
- Workers at materials recovery facilities, where recyclables are still sorted partly by hand.
The data supports these anecdotal observations. A recent Harris Poll conducted for Bloomberg News revealed that nearly half of employed Americans believe it would take them four months or more to find a job of similar quality if they were laid off today.
The End of the Great Resignation's Power
This marks a dramatic reversal from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period dubbed the "Great Resignation." During that time, workers had unprecedented power, leading to rampant vacancies and a 27 per cent gain in wages since the pandemic's onset.
"In 2022, it was darn near impossible to find workers," said Rick Hermanns, chief executive at staffing firm HireQuest Inc. Today, he notes, "that really isn’t the case."
While the national jobless rate was a relatively low 4.3 per cent in August, the dynamics for those without work have changed. A growing number of people are experiencing longer spells of unemployment. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that almost 26 per cent of unemployed workers in August had been out of work for more than half a year, one of the highest shares in a decade.
This new reality is forcing career veterans to consider paths they previously avoided. Danielle Norwood, a 53-year-old radio professional who was let go from a station in Topeka, Kansas, is now working toward her substitute teacher certification despite being aware of the challenges. "The pay’s OK at US$140 to US$200 a day," she said, "and I’m excited to make a difference."
The era of easy job-hopping has given way to a more cautious "low hire, low fire" economy, granting a distinct upper hand to employers in sectors that have long struggled to attract and retain staff.
