Immigration policy. Economic uncertainty. Unemployment. Tariffs. AI.
All these factors — and others — are shaping the U.S. job market right now, says Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s senior economist. They’re also making finding a new job more difficult.
“When there is an overall lack of available jobs, many workers are left feeling trapped in their current roles,” Renter says. This stagnation isn’t only bad for job satisfaction, but professional growth and better pay.”
We used those articles to create a quiz with some help from AI. Take it to consider your current relationship with your job. If you’re working, are you thriving, or just surviving?
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Employee engagement in the United States is at its lowest rate — 31% — since 2020, according to Gallup. That’s after decades of growth.
Sometimes it’s the actual work that makes people hate their jobs, Doug Sabella, CEO of software company Payroll Integrations, said in an email interview. But more often, it’s about not feeling seen, heard and supported.
That doesn’t mean workers want a Music Dance Experience (shoutout to “Severance”), waffle Wednesdays and free gym memberships. Those are cool and all, but most workers want more than that, he said.
“What matters most is that companies demonstrate a genuine investment in employees’ well-being, with benefits and programs that reflect an understanding of their needs.”
Because you can set all the boundaries you want, look for projects that keep you motivated and communicate openly with your manager.
“But these efforts are only as effective as the space employers create to support them,” he said.
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About the author
Pamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet’s personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage.
Ask her and her talented team about why credit scores matter, how to save money on your grocery bill, finding the right side hustle, how to protect your identity for free and more.
Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet.
Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years.
Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all.
She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute’s Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists’ President’s Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet’s Nerds of Color employee resource group.
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