Cornering The Job Market

Pete Newsome

The job market is changing faster than most people realize. Headlines are noisy, data is often misunderstood, and bad advice spreads quickly. Cornering the Job Market cuts through the confusion with clear, data-backed insights on what is actually happening in hiring, work, careers, and the labor market now, and in the future. Hosted by Pete Newsome, founder of one of America's top staffing and recruiting firms, this podcast breaks down the labor market from both sides of the table. Job seekers learn how employers are really making decisions. Hiring leaders and executives gain perspective on talent supply, candidate behavior, and where the market is heading next. Each episode translates complex labor data into plain English and connects the dots between hiring trends, economic signals, AI adoption, wages, layoffs, and workforce strategy. The focus is not hype or fear; with context, clarity, and practical takeaways you can use immediately. What you will hear on the show Weekly breakdowns of the U.S. job market using trusted data sourcesWhat hiring numbers actually mean for real people and real companiesHow AI is reshaping jobs, hiring, and career pathsWhy some roles stay in demand even during slowdownsWhat employers are prioritizing and what candidates often missHonest conversations about layoffs, wage pressure, job hopping, and stabilityTactical advice for job seekers at every career stageStrategic insight for HR leaders, hiring managers, and executives Who this podcast is for Professionals navigating a competitive or uncertain job marketEarly and mid-career workers trying to future-proof their careersHR leaders and talent acquisition teamsHiring managers and executives making workforce decisionsAnyone who wants clear, credible insight into where work is headed Why Cornering the Job Market is different This show is built on real hiring experience, not theory. The insights come from thousands of real job searches, real placements, and real conversations with employers and candidates across industries like IT, finance, healthcare, marketing, HR, and engineering. The goal is simple. Help you understand the job market well enough to make better decisions, whether you are hiring, job searching, or planning your next move. New episodes New episodes drop regularly with timely commentary on breaking labor market news, hiring trends, and workplace shifts. Subscribe so you do not miss an update, especially when the market changes quickly.

  1. 14H AGO

    Breaking Job News: AI Is Screening Your Social Media Before Interviews

    You might not be getting rejected because of your resume... it could be your social media. New hiring tools now use AI to scan public posts and generate personality scores before employers ever decide to interview you. Host Pete Newsome explains how automated screening works, what employers are actually looking for, and why a single post can quietly remove you from consideration. Pete also breaks down the latest unemployment claims data and the much bigger story buried in the jobs report revisions; hundreds of thousands of jobs from last year were overstated, which helps explain why hiring felt far worse than the headlines suggested. Between questionable labor data and AI-driven candidate screening, the hiring process is changing fast. Are job seekers adapting quickly enough, or are they being filtered out without realizing it? What do you think matters more now, your resume or your online footprint? Articles: 1. DOL's Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/ui-claims/20260215.pdf 2. Employers Turn to AI to Screen Candidates' Socials: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/employers-turn-to-ai-to-screen-8193672/ 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/gyKO9D5foR4 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    11 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Breaking Job News: The January Jobs Report Was Worse Than You Think

    The January jobs report is finally here, and the headline number isn’t the real story. Yes, 130,000 jobs were added and unemployment dipped to 4.3%. But buried inside the report was a massive revision: 2025 job growth was slashed from 584,000 to just 181,000. That means nearly 400,000 jobs we thought existed… didn’t. In today’s episode, host Pete Newsome breaks down what this means for trust in the labor data, how it impacts Fed decisions and hiring plans, and why the so-called “strong labor market” may have been overstated for over a year. Pete also digs into the Dice 2026 Tech Sentiment Report, which paints a defensive picture of today’s workforce. Tech postings are down below pre-COVID levels. Half of workers are applying for jobs they’re overqualified for. Meanwhile, AI engineer roles are exploding, up 208%. And finally, more major employers announce cuts, including Heineken, raising the question: Are we restructuring, slowing, or quietly shifting into something bigger? The January report looked strong. The details tell a very different story. What do you think: Is the labor market stabilizing… or unraveling? Articles: 1. BLS Employment Situation Summary: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm 2. Dice 2026 Tech Sentiment Report: https://www.dice.com/recruiting/ebooks/tech-sentiment-report/ 3. Heineken Job Cuts: https://www.reuters.com/business/heinekens-annual-profit-beat-expectations-brewer-sets-slower-2026-growth-2026-02-11/ 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/LfujzlovUA0 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    11 min
  3. 2D AGO

    Breaking Job News: Should You Stay or Quit as AI Reshapes Work?

    The job market is sending mixed signals, and the timing couldn’t be worse. With the delayed jobs report expected to show weaker growth, private hiring slowing sharply, and AI anxiety rising, workers are being forced to make tougher career decisions with less clarity than ever. Host Pete Newsome starts with new Glassdoor data analyzing over 268,000 employee reviews to answer a question many people are quietly asking: Does switching jobs actually make things better? The findings are nuanced. Leaving a bad job often improves satisfaction, but workers who already rate their employer highly are far more likely to regret a move, especially during periods of layoffs, leadership changes, and burnout. Pete then breaks down why the White House is already lowering expectations for tomorrow’s jobs report, how ADP data points to a sharp slowdown in hiring momentum, and why smaller job gains matter more than headlines suggest. The numbers paint a picture of a market losing speed at the same time confidence is weakening. Finally, he digs into a major new Atlantic feature on AI and employment, where CEOs warn about job losses but many workers remain deeply skeptical. With younger workers already seeing measurable employment declines in AI-exposed roles, the disconnect between reassurance and reality is growing fast. Is this a moment to stay put, skill up, and wait, or a warning sign to rethink your path entirely? Drop a comment and tell us: Are you holding tight, or getting ready to move? Articles: 1. When Switching Employers Is the Right Move: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/lovers-and-leavers-when-to-switch-jobs/ 2. White House Sets Lower Job Growth Expectations: https://www.reuters.com/business/white-house-adviser-hassett-expects-smaller-jobs-numbers-2026-02-09/ 3. ADP Preliminary National Employment Report Estimate:  https://mediacenter.adp.com/ADP-National-Employment-Report-Preliminary-Estimate-for-January-24,-2026 4. America Isn't Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/03/ai-economy-labor-market-transformation/685731/ 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Uaq8tZgBS04 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    12 min
  4. 3D AGO

    Breaking Job News: Job Seekers Are Paying Recruiters & AI Anxiety Is Spiking

    Job seekers are getting so desperate that they’re paying recruiters to find them a job, and that should be a red flag for where the market is heading. Host Pete Newsome explains why “reverse recruiting” is unnecessary, how it preys on anxiety, and why targeted outreach beats mass, AI-generated messaging every time. Then he shifts to 4 Corner Resources’ new Q1 Employee Mindset Survey of employed workers earning $50K+. The headline is a contradiction that makes perfect sense: job satisfaction is high, but anxiety about the future is even higher. Heavy AI users are the most worried about AI displacement, financial runways are thin for nearly half of workers, and Gen Z is the most anxious generation in the data. Pete also breaks down the “triple crisis” facing entry-level employees (low confidence, low savings, and low AI exposure) at the exact moment they need AI fluency the most. Finally, new research challenges the popular promise that AI will lighten workloads. An eight-month study of generative AI inside a tech company found that AI often intensifies work by expanding tasks, blurring work-life boundaries, and accelerating multitasking. Pete shares why the “genie isn’t going back in the bottle,” and what workers can do right now to stay competitive without letting AI turn every hour into work time. Articles: 1. Job Hunters Are So Desperate That They’re Paying to Get Recruited: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/job-hunters-are-so-desperate-that-theyre-paying-to-get-recruited-44891ac2 2. Q1 2026 Employee Mindset Survey: https://www.4cornerresources.com/employee-mindset-survey/ 3. AI Doesn’t Reduce Work—It Intensifies It: https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-doesnt-reduce-work-it-intensifies-it Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/VooeM9IXB9Y 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    22 min
  5. 6D AGO

    Breaking Job News: AI Mistakes Are Costing Companies, Confidence Is Falling, & Small Businesses Aren’t Hiring

    AI is supposed to boost productivity, but new data shows it may be doing the opposite. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down a troubling new survey on AI errors at work, alongside fresh signals that employee confidence is slipping and small business hiring is grinding to a near standstill. Pete starts with a report from Resume.org that highlights what it calls the “AI slop” problem. A majority of managers say employees are submitting AI-generated work with factual errors, missing context, and even compliance risks. In some cases, those mistakes are reaching clients and costing companies tens of thousands of dollars, forcing managers to step in and fix the work themselves. Next, he looks at the latest Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index. Confidence dipped heading into 2026, but the biggest decline isn’t among entry-level workers... It’s senior leadership. Pete explains why that matters, what it says about decision-making at the top, and how rising mentions of layoffs in employee reviews reflect growing unease across the workforce. Finally, he unpacks new hiring data from NFIB, which shows small business hiring has fallen to its lowest level since May 2020. Even so, many owners still report unfilled roles and a lack of qualified applicants, especially in construction and the skilled trades. Pete explains where the contradiction lies, why construction remains a long-term opportunity, and what job seekers and employers should take away from these trends. So here’s the question: Is AI making work better, or are companies and workers moving faster than they’re prepared for right now? Articles: 1. Resume.org Survey on AI Slop Crisis: https://www.resume.org/ai-slop-crisis/ 2: Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoor-employee-confidence-index-january-2026/ 3: NFIB Small Businesses Jobs Report: https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-new-small-business-employment-index-shows-balanced-job-market/ Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    11 min
  6. FEB 5

    Breaking Job News: January Layoffs Spike to 2009 Levels

    January delivered a tough reality check for the job market. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down a wave of new labor data showing layoffs at their highest January level since 2009, hiring plans at a record low, and early signs that the labor market may be stalling rather than rebounding. We start with the Challenger Job Cuts report, which shows more than 108,000 layoffs announced in January, driven largely by transportation and tech restructurings. At the same time, companies publicly announced just 5,300 hiring plans, the weakest January reading ever recorded, signaling broad employer caution coming out of 2025. Next, he digs into unemployment claims data, where initial claims jumped sharply week over week, even as continuing claims hit their lowest level since late 2024. Pete explains why that combination can look deceptively stable in the short term, but often precedes further weakness when hiring slows. Finally, he looks at the few bright spots. Job posting salaries climbed in January, led by manufacturing and healthcare, as employers compete for fewer, more specialized hires. The takeaway is nuanced but clear: the job market isn’t collapsing, but it is cooling fast, and workers and employers alike need to adjust expectations. So here’s the question: Do you think this is a temporary pause after 2025, or the start of a tougher hiring environment for the rest of the year? Articles: 1. January 2026 Challenger Report: https://www.challengergray.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CR126007123.pdf 2. Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/ui-claims/20260179.pdf 3. Revelio Public Labor Statistics Latest Release: https://www.reveliolabs.com/public-labor-statistics/ Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    9 min
  7. FEB 5

    Breaking Job News: ADP Shows Hiring Collapse, AI Skills Surge, & Washington Post Cuts 300 Jobs

    Hiring didn’t just slow in January... it nearly stalled. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down the new ADP employment report showing private employers added only 22,000 jobs last month, far below what’s needed to keep pace with population growth. Healthcare carried the report, while white-collar and manufacturing roles pulled back sharply and regional hiring looked wildly uneven. Next, Pete digs into Upwork’s 2026 in-demand skills report. Despite fears that AI is eliminating work, demand for AI-related skills on the platform jumped 109% year over year. Roles like AI video editing, AI integration, and data labeling are exploding in demand, suggesting AI isn’t replacing work yet; it’s being layered into it. He explains why workers who embrace these tools are gaining an edge while others risk falling behind. Finally, the episode covers major layoffs at The Washington Post, where 300 journalists (roughly a third of the newsroom) were let go as legacy media struggles to keep pace with digital and independent news platforms. Pete connects the dots between industry disruption, entrepreneurial opportunity, and how technology is reshaping who gets to create and distribute content. So here’s the question: If hiring is stalling but AI skills are surging, what are you doing right now to stay relevant? Articles: 1. ADP Report: https://adpemploymentreport.com/ 2. Upwork Skills Report: https://www.upwork.com/research/in-demand-skills-2026 3. NYT on The Post: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    13 min
  8. FEB 3

    Breaking Job News: 60% of U.S. Jobs Now Exposed to AI, According to Global Safety Report

    A single number dominates today’s episode: 60%. That’s the share of American jobs now exposed to artificial intelligence, according to the newly released International AI Safety Report, a 156-page study authored by more than 100 experts across 30 countries. In today's episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome zeroes in on what that number actually means for workers. “Exposed” doesn’t mean eliminated, but it does mean the tasks in those roles can now be automated or significantly augmented by AI. The report shows that knowledge work (writing, analysis, coding, research, and communication) is squarely in the crosshairs, and that AI adoption is moving faster than any technology in history, outpacing even the internet and personal computers. Pete breaks down key findings: AI usage among U.S. workers jumping from 30% to 46% in months, freelance writing demand dropping within weeks of ChatGPT’s release, productivity gains between 20–60% in studies, and early signs that junior workers are feeling the impact first. While the report emphasizes that large-scale job loss hasn’t happened yet, Pete explains why focusing on what hasn’t happened can be dangerously misleading when the technology is evolving this quickly. Whether you run a business or work for one, this is not the moment to be passive. So here’s the question: If 60% of jobs are already exposed to AI, what are you doing today to stay ahead of that curve? Link to International AI Safety Report: https://internationalaisafetyreport.org/ Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/ 👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/ Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog/

    8 min
4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

The job market is changing faster than most people realize. Headlines are noisy, data is often misunderstood, and bad advice spreads quickly. Cornering the Job Market cuts through the confusion with clear, data-backed insights on what is actually happening in hiring, work, careers, and the labor market now, and in the future. Hosted by Pete Newsome, founder of one of America's top staffing and recruiting firms, this podcast breaks down the labor market from both sides of the table. Job seekers learn how employers are really making decisions. Hiring leaders and executives gain perspective on talent supply, candidate behavior, and where the market is heading next. Each episode translates complex labor data into plain English and connects the dots between hiring trends, economic signals, AI adoption, wages, layoffs, and workforce strategy. The focus is not hype or fear; with context, clarity, and practical takeaways you can use immediately. What you will hear on the show Weekly breakdowns of the U.S. job market using trusted data sourcesWhat hiring numbers actually mean for real people and real companiesHow AI is reshaping jobs, hiring, and career pathsWhy some roles stay in demand even during slowdownsWhat employers are prioritizing and what candidates often missHonest conversations about layoffs, wage pressure, job hopping, and stabilityTactical advice for job seekers at every career stageStrategic insight for HR leaders, hiring managers, and executives Who this podcast is for Professionals navigating a competitive or uncertain job marketEarly and mid-career workers trying to future-proof their careersHR leaders and talent acquisition teamsHiring managers and executives making workforce decisionsAnyone who wants clear, credible insight into where work is headed Why Cornering the Job Market is different This show is built on real hiring experience, not theory. The insights come from thousands of real job searches, real placements, and real conversations with employers and candidates across industries like IT, finance, healthcare, marketing, HR, and engineering. The goal is simple. Help you understand the job market well enough to make better decisions, whether you are hiring, job searching, or planning your next move. New episodes New episodes drop regularly with timely commentary on breaking labor market news, hiring trends, and workplace shifts. Subscribe so you do not miss an update, especially when the market changes quickly.