Job Market 2025 - White Collar
Hi WSO,
The job market in 2023 and 2024 has been incredibly challenging—both from my own experience and from what I've heard from peers. I graduated from a top 20 MBA program, and while I was fortunate to land a job, it wasn’t in the industry I had hoped to break into.
This got me thinking: what will the job market look like in 2025? Do you think conditions will improve, stay the same, or possibly worsen?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the factors that might shape the job market in the coming years.
Looking forward to your insights—especially from those who have been navigating this job market?
T25 '24 grad here, unemployed but have gotten to multiple final rounds in the industry I want (going for corporate roles, not consulting / IB). For the roles I want? Very few. For the salary I want? Also uncommon. I've settled for the 80-120K pay ranges (will take even less for an ideal role which seems more feasible at early stage startups). I ideally want 120-150K. Out of the ~15 interviews I had this year, only 1 matched the job I was looking for + salary (didn't make it to their final round interview).
Had 3 networking calls today with people in my industry. Two of them searched for new jobs in 2023-2024 and landed really interesting jobs in a niche that I'm desperately trying to break into. But it took months for them. The salaries also seem less than what they expected (both might have taken slight paycuts to be employed again). The third is an alum who invests in the industry I'm targeting and he knows very few industry professional around my level who got hired in recent months.
All three are cautiously optimistic that things will pick up in 2025. One of them even admitted to me, he thinks January - February will be slow in hiring and it might take until early March for hiring to really pick up. I'm hoping this ends up being wrong for my sake.
$80k to $120k range is ridiculous. I’ve moved my range down to $50k and still can’t find a job
Keep in mind, I have 5+ years of work experience. Would be a totally different story as a recent college grad. I would take even ~35-40K in this horrible market if I was in that situaiton.
Is $120-150k market for MBA grads? Just trying to wrap my head around $200k tuition for that comp
For non-consulting / IB / tech PM jobs, yeah for base - I would say $120-150K is common.
I've been quoted 100K base on my last few interview processes. Sucks but at least its something. Was contemplating a move to one of the NYC boroughs for the next few years once I land a job but I might have to give up on that idea.
Finance Undergraduate Grad from 2023 here. It's been extremely challenging. However, I do think things will improve based on two factors:
1) The pandemic is finally truly over.
2) AI will create more new opportunities.
its just crazy i have had 80 first round interviews and made it to 6 final round interviews. got cut from all of them. i have a job now which i started in 2023, but its just insane how tough it is. Also, I know MBAs who graduated in 2021 - 2023 who got laid of in late 2023 and are still looking for jobs.
Yeah, its crazy. Haven't seen these big of unemployment gaps post graduation (9 months - 1 year+) for MBA alumni (from my program) outside of the unlucky few who had to job search during the GFC ('08-'10).
The difference is, the jobs that I am seeing these folk eventually land are quality jobs while in the GFC, I saw some alum clearly took a lower quality position to be employed again.
I graduated from an M7 in 2022, and while I was able to get MBB initially, I got managed out after 1 year along with a large percentage of my class
Only job I could land was corp strategy at an uncool F500
Thankfully, competition at this company is low and I've been very successful here
Our leadership is managing our budget to flat spend in 2025, so that implies a tough hiring market continuing (obviously only 1 data point)
Not liking my current role and am unable to move anywhere, even down-market. Have friends laid off from BB/MBB roles that are 6+ months off the desk. Insane.
Optimistic because we are already at the floorboards, and it can only get better from here.
Same boat. Are you Asso 1 who started in fall?
Yes F'23.
AI is decimating white collar jobs, why would it get any better?
I think AI has reached its end and isnt really getting any better or more productive. Also, companies that were expecting AI to remove the need for labor now have realized that they do in fact need people. AI isnt able to do complex coding. I frankly think interest rates are going to be the main factor that uplifts white collar jobs.
it seems still bad 3 months later im wondering if this is a permanent change where we are now in a more normal interest rate environment.
It's going to remain bad until they cut rates more and there is clarity with tariffs. Looks like another wasted year from a job searching perspective.
Hiring market for experienced mid-levels (Sr. ASO / VP level) remains especially cooked. Anyone seeing things differently?
I'll echo this remains constant for all levels. What an awful 2 years this has been with no end in sight.
yea it seems bad. im applying for real estate and renewable companies. i have a preference for real estate and it is still god awful. im thinking i may just leave the country at this point.
Are you referring to the US?
Found my people.
Should we organize?
Totally feel you on this — the last couple of years have definitely tested a lot of us, especially those trying to break into competitive industries. 👀
From what I’ve seen (and experienced), 2025 might be more about adaptability than stability. Companies seem to be shifting toward flexible, remote-first models — not just for cost-saving, but also to tap into global talent. That opens up more opportunities, especially if you're open to non-traditional roles or industries that are still hiring strong.
I think the people who stay proactive, upskill continuously, and remain open to remote or offshore opportunities will have the edge.
Curious what others think — especially those who’ve landed solid roles recently or made successful pivots.
3 months into my job search for FP&A role. Have had 7 interviews so far. Made it 2 final rounds. One job had me do 6 rounds. No offers yet. Absolutely devastating.
I mean I’m lucky I have a job right now. But it’s currently hired bankers trying to sell to a strategic buyer. Means I will be out of a job in probably 6-8 months. Sucks so hard.
Bumping this for visibility.
I did 2 IB to 2 in LMM PE and am am a mix of shocked and freaked out about how little traction I’m gaining. Recruiters are virtually silent. Only one call back so far in terms of interviews.
Anyone seeing success?
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