Nearly 75% of US Job Seekers Fear Job Security Is Declining, But Still Feel Safe in Their Own Roles, Survey Reveals

American job seekers appear to be of two minds about the state of the job market. In a recent survey, 73% of respondents said they see the concept of job security differently, and 71% said job security does not seem to be guaranteed for any job, no matter how good you are at it.

However, most American job seekers also said they trust that their current employer can give them job security for the time being.

Is Job Security a ‘Thing of The Past’? Many Think So

According to a survey of 1,000 American job seekers from Express Employment Professionals, 73% stated that job security is not a sure thing for any job, and 71% think it’s “becoming a thing of the past.”

Conversely, two-thirds (67%) of employed job seekers reported feeling more secure in their careers, and 73% and 69% expressed confidence in their short-term and long-term job security, respectively.

Three-fourths of those surveyed said that government policy changes are likely to impact their job security more than decisions made by their company’s leadership.

Job market data in recent months has given those job seekers reason to be concerned. The levels of hiring, firing, and employees quitting voluntarily have all been relatively stagnant in recent months, showing that few people are being hired for new jobs, while many are also not leaving or being let go from their current roles.

That low hiring rate—low enough to lead President Trump to fire a labor data official—has meant that people without a job are continuing to have a hard time finding a position, and the number of people collecting unemployment recently hit the highest level since November 2021.

Most Employees Expect Tougher Job Hunts if a Recession Hits

Around half of respondents said they expect the U.S. to enter a recession sometime in the next year, compared with 24% who anticipate one in the next six months, and 9% who said the U.S. is already in a recession. Seventy-four percent said they worry that finding a job would be harder during a recession, and 65% worry that a potential recession is hampering their ability to negotiate for a raise or new benefits.

“In times of economic uncertainty, job seekers should focus on adaptability and self-investment,” Express Employment CEO Bob Funk Jr. said. “Expand your search, sharpen your skills and stay open to new opportunities, even those outside your comfort zone. The most successful candidates aren’t just looking for jobs; they’re building resilience for whatever comes next.”

From Lower Pay to Moving Cities: Job Seekers Are Willing to Compromise

About seven in 10 (71%) of those surveyed said they feel that the job market could force them to take a job requiring fewer qualifications than they’ve earned. In addition, 23% said the job market is bad enough for them to consider moving for a job, 21% are more open to jobs below their desired salary range, and about a third (31%) would consider positions outside of their industry.

Other recent economic data and surveys have shown how Americans are increasingly concerned about the job market. Earlier this month, consultants from Korn Ferry wrote about the phenomenon of “job hugging,” as an increasing number of American workers are holding tight to their current jobs, with hiring slowing in recent months.

Last week, real estate firm Redfin released a survey showing that more than 40% of Americans are delaying or canceling major purchases, such as a car or a home, due to concerns about job security.

The Bottom Line

While most American job seekers say that job security is eroding overall, they remain confident about their own roles—for now. The split highlights the tension between the stability many are finding at work and the broader economic uncertainty found in surveys and economic data this year.