It’s to be on the —applicants face “, , and a . This has pushed some job seekers to apply to , or to secure the . Today, professionals’ confidence in bouncing back after a layoff has dropped to a concerning low.
The average perceived chance of finding a job if one loses their current role dropped to 43.1% in December 2025—down 4.2% from the previous year—per data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
This marks a record low since surveys began tracking the data in 2013, and the report notes that multiple demographic groups are fueling these dismal employment expectations.
The nation’s lowest earners (those making under six figures), individuals without college degrees, and—perhaps unexpectedly— people aged 60 and above (on the cusp of retirement) currently have the least confidence in their job search.
All Workers Are Worried—Even Professionals With Steady Jobs Fear Imminent Layoffs
“Americans don’t believe the current job market is working in their favor,” Daniel Zhao, chief economist at employment site , tells . “Workers in lower income brackets or without college degrees are typically more vulnerable to business cycle fluctuations, so it’s understandable they’re more worried about signs of an economic slowdown.”
Even professionals with stable jobs fear their positions are uncertain. The perceived likelihood of losing one’s job in the coming year rose to 15.2%—a 1.4% increase from the prior year—per the report. However, many : the projected quit rate over the next 12 months fell to 17.5%.
“Overall, workers are stressed about job security because they see high-profile layoffs in the news and hear from friends who’ve been laid off and struggle to reenter the workforce,” Zhao explains.
“Even currently employed workers feel trapped in their roles because the current job market restricts their ability to find a better position and their leverage to secure a raise or internal promotion.”
Why Baby Boomers Are the Most Anxious About the Job Market
Americans aged 60 and above have only a 33% perceived chance of finding a new job if they lose their current role—nearly 10% below the national average. AI automation, however, is probably not the cause of their employment struggles. The Glassdoor chief economist notes that baby boomers are on the verge of retirement and are being passed over for opportunities due to their age.
“Workers aged 65 and older have experienced declines in labor force participation, employment, and unemployment rates—but some of this could be because workers are aging out of the ability to work, not a reflection of their financial status,” Zhao states.
Baby boomers have good reason to worry about their job prospects if laid off—their fears are validated. According to a 2025 from the Boston College Retirement Study, 14% of U.S. residents aged 50 to 65 in the past decade, with 4% being fired more than once. Among Gen Xers and baby boomers who faced at least one layoff, 24% couldn’t find a new job.
Older generations also spend far longer searching job boards to land a position. According to a WSJ analysis from last year, Gen Z and millennials aged 25 to 34 an average of 19 weeks, while Gen Xers and baby boomers aged 55 to 64 who were unemployed took 26 weeks. Even when older workers do get a job, 11% are forced to accept a pay cut.
Because of ageism and the assumption they’ll retire soon, baby boomers when it comes to high-impact promotions and larger salaries. A 2024 Resume Now study found that around 22% of employees aged 40 and above say their workplaces overlook older workers for challenging tasks, and 16% report seeing a pattern of being passed over for promotions in favor of younger colleagues.
Even more striking is that older workers aren’t paid what they’re worth: roughly 49% of older staff report earning less than their Gen Z and young millennial coworkers for performing the same role.