August’s jobs report shows hiring slowed sharply, with unemployment edging up and openings falling. HR leaders can also explore how returnships help close skills gaps, what steps can boost recruiting results, and why youth employment continues its long decline amid shifting labor market dynamics.
August Hiring Continues Downward Trend
New data confirms a broad-based slowdown in hiring as U.S. employers reported adding just 22,000 jobs in August, according to the latest employment report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Private-sector employment grew by 38,000 jobs, while federal government employment decreased by 15,000 jobs.
The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% in August from 4.2% the month before. And for the first time since the pandemic, there were fewer job openings than there were job seekers, BLS data showed.
“The latest jobs report provides further evidence that the labor market has cooled much faster over the course of three months,” said Sydney Ross, an economist with SHRM. “Over the year, job gains continue to be concentrated in the health care and social assistance sectors, while hiring has slowed across the board in other industries, all pointing to signs the economy is less dynamic than earlier in the year.”
Returnships Offer HR Leaders a Proven Solution to Talent Shortages
Returnships are an effective way for HR leaders to fill skills gaps amid talent shortages. These workforce re-entry programs are designed for people who have taken a career break — whether for caregiving, illness, or other reasons — and want to relaunch their careers.
Programs may or may not lead to full-time employment, but they often include mentorship and training opportunities to help participants refresh expertise, gain relevant experience, and transition back into meaningful work that aligns with their knowledge.
5 Steps to Improve Your Recruiting Results
Seventy-one percent of organizations are experiencing recruiting challenges, according to SHRM’s 2025 Talent Trends report. In addition to trying to rise above today’s competitive recruiting landscape, organizations are laser-focused on productivity, putting further stress on talent acquisition teams.
In a recent webinar, Sharlyn Lauby, SHRM-SCP, presented five simple but effective tips for recruiting leaders: strengthening job descriptions, evaluating your careers site, overhauling candidate experience, facilitating employee referrals, and using assessments for selection.
Youth Employment Falls in Summer 2025 as Job Prospects Decline
Fewer young people found work this summer compared to last year, continuing a long-term decline in youth participation in the labor force. While July remains the peak employment month for 16- to 24-year-olds, the share of employed youth has slipped, reflecting broader economic headwinds and structural shifts in the job market.
A little over half (53.1%) of young people ages 16-24 were employed this summer, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This measure is down from 54.5% in the summer of 2024.
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