Job Seekers Share Evolving Concerns Regarding Economy and Skill Development

Job Seeker Survey: Q3 2025

To understand the perspectives of job seekers in the current labor market, we surveyed over 2,400 recent applicants. The findings indicate changing preferences among job seekers that may inform employer recruitment strategies.

In the current labor market, job security remains a top motivator for candidates considering new positions. The Q3 2025 survey explored experience requirements for entry-level roles and examined perceptions of the manufacturing industry that impact job seeker searches and career decisions.

Job Security Entry-Level Requirements Manufacturing Momentum Willingness To Travel

Job Security

37 percent of survey respondents indicate heightened concerns regarding potential layoffs in their next position compared to the previous year. What strategies can employers implement to effectively communicate job stability to their workforce, and in what ways is “job hugging” shaping employees’ perceptions of job security?

Entry-Level Requirements

Job seekers are applying for positions without the preferred experience, and some candidates are being hired for these roles. Employers should consider reassessing experience requirements, particularly for entry-level positions.

Manufacturing Momentum

A significant majority of applicants express confidence in the future of manufacturing in North America, with 72 percent actively pursuing employment opportunities within the sector. Explore the motivations behind their applications and gain insight into their perspectives on industry developments.

Willingness To Travel

Some employers hire workers for jobsites located in rural or sparsely populated regions. Many applicants are prepared to travel for suitable positions, and their motivation is not limited solely to increased pay rates or travel reimbursements.

Signaling Job Security: What Job Seekers Want to See

Job security is regularly ranked as the second most significant factor influencing applicants’ decision to accept a new position. With layoffs occurring more frequently, job seekers are placing greater emphasis on job stability. Some are even avoiding applying to roles in certain industries — reducing their access to new opportunities in an increasingly difficult job market.

This graph from the Aerotek Job Seeker Survey highlights how respondents approach employer-stated experience level requirements: 63% of Respondents Believe Experience Requirements Are Important, 60% Applied to Jobs Beyond Their Experience, 41% of These Applicants Were Hired

60% of Job seekers Say Entry-Level Roles Require Too Much Experience

While job seekers understand the relevance of experience level requirements, the majority believe that employers often request excessive experience for entry-level positions. Our research found that candidates increasingly apply for roles beyond their current experience, and many are subsequently hired for these roles.

This graph highlights why respondents to the Aerotek Job Seeker Survey are applying for manufacturing jobs: Existing Experience 30%, Career Advancement 25%, Pay 20%, Work With New Technology 15%, Shift Flexibility 10%

Manufacturing Momentum: Job Seekers Embrace Manufacturing

Despite manufacturing’s uncertain future in North America, most job seekers (64 percent) say they are optimistic about the industry’s prospects. 72 percent of survey respondents are currently applying for manufacturing jobs, driven mostly by existing experience and a belief that it can lead to a long and rewarding career.

This graph from the Aerotek Job Seeker Survey highlights the factors that would make respondents more willing to travel for work: Career Advancement Opportunities 29%, Additional Compensation 28%, Paid Travel Expenses 28%, Greater Job Security 14%

42% of Workers Willing to Work Outside of Their City for the Right Opportunity

For industries like aviation, construction and facilities maintenance, many projects take place in areas lacking significant access to talent. These employers must attract workers from other cities and sometimes states to ensure they are adequately staffed. The good news is that workers are willing to travel, and they aren’t only driven by better pay.

About the Research

Aerotek’s Job Seeker Survey was conducted as an independent online survey to understand what job seekers want. More than 2,400 job seekers were asked about their career ambitions and employer preferences. Respondents were located in the U.S. and Canada and completed the survey in August 2025. The survey targeted job seekers who have applied for work from May 2025 to August 2025 and were seeking jobs in the sectors Aerotek serves, including manufacturing, robotics and automation, facilities and maintenance, distribution and logistics, construction and other industries. When you need help building and managing your workforce, contact us.