By Contributor,Jasmine Browley
Copyright forbes
staying connected on the commute
The US government has officially shut down as of Wednesday. That, coupled with there being no head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics appointed, makes it hard to feel like you’re fully informed on the direction of the workforce.
What’s more, when the monthly U.S. jobs report doesn’t arrive on schedule, it can leave job seekers, career changers, and even hiring managers feeling like they’re walking without direction. For many, this report helps them see provide insight on which sectors are expanding, which are tightening, and whether wages are keeping pace with inflation. Without it, you don’t have to put your career on pause—but you do have to be more strategic about where you look for insight.
Tap Into Alternative Data Sources
Even if the Bureau of Labor Statistics is in disarray, there are still ways to track hiring momentum. LinkedIn’s monthly Workforce Reports, Indeed’s Hiring Lab, and Glassdoor’s Economic Research often publish timely snapshots of industry activity. Professional associations, from the American Marketing Association to the National Society of Black Engineers regularly publish updates on hiring trend data that delves deep and interprets what the BLS releases monthly.
Lean on Local Signals
National numbers can sometimes hide regional inroads. Without a jobs report, it can be helpful to pay closer attention to local chambers of commerce, workforce development boards, and even city job boards. Many metropolitan areas publish their own monthly employment updates, often breaking down demand by industry and skillset. If you’re aiming for a portable career or to work from home full time, you may discover unexpected hiring pockets.
Focus on Skills, Not Just Openings
When data is scarce, look beyond just job titles and consider the skills companies repeatedly seek. Project management, data analysis, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and health care support remain highly desirable fields regardless of the economic cycle. Updating your resume and polishing your LinkedIn profile can help you identify your transferable skill set even if specific openings are unstable.
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Network as “Market Research”
In a time like now, it’s best to lean on your peers to ask, “Which sectors are you seeing promise in?” Discovery calls with these individuals often unearth hiring trends before they reach a formal report. This also keeps your name top-of-mind for roles that may not be posted widely.
Stay Agile and Ready
A delayed jobs report doesn’t mean the economy is broken. What it implies is that you’ll need to move differently. Be nimble and build agility into your search: consider contract or project-based work, remote roles across state lines, and upskilling opportunities that help you land in industries you hadn’t considered before.
For job seekers, the absence of official data is less about feeling around blindly in the dark, but moreso leaning on a different tool in your arsenal: resourcefulness.
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