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. 2H AGO

    Breaking Job News: Stanford Economists Warn the Career Pyramid Is Becoming a Diamond

    AI is already changing how careers begin, and the data is starting to prove it. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down new research from a panel of economists at Stanford University showing that hiring for entry-level professional roles is declining in areas with heavy AI exposure. Software developer hiring for workers ages 22–26 is already down 20%, and call center hiring has dropped 15%. According to economist Erik Brynjolfsson, many industries are shifting from a traditional career “pyramid” with many junior roles to a “diamond” shape where the entry points are shrinking. The episode also explores a surprising side effect of AI adoption: return-to-office mandates. New survey data shows that the same AI collaboration tools companies are investing in are making remote work more productive, yet many employers are still pushing workers back to the office, risking talent losses as a result. Pete also covers the latest wage growth numbers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which show pay growth slowing overall while younger workers still see the fastest increases. Finally, new projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal which bachelor’s degree careers will have the most job openings over the next decade. The message from economists is clear: AI isn’t collapsing the job market, but it is changing how people enter it. Question for you: Do you think AI will make it harder for young workers to start their careers, or will it simply change the skills needed to get hired? Articles: 1. Stanford SIEPR Summit: https://siepr.stanford.edu/news/ais-job-whats-worker-do 2. New RTO Research: https://www.benefitnews.com/news/ai-investments-are-impacting-rto-mandates 3. Atlanta Fed Wage Growth Tracker: https://www.atlantafed.org/research-and-data/data/wage-growth-tracker 4. Weekly Unemployment Claims: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/ui-claims/20260435.pdf 5. BLS Bachelor's Degree Projections: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/projected-job-openings-in-occupations-typically-requiring-a-bachelors-degree-2024-34.htm 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/KMpKfYBeVwg 🧠 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: CEOs Aren’t Hiring, Another AI Layoff, & Grads Can’t Find Work

    The job market keeps sending mixed signals, and today’s headlines highlight just how disconnected the system has become. In today's episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down new data from Business Roundtable, where 169 of America’s largest CEOs shared their hiring plans for the next six months. While business confidence and spending are rising, hiring is flat: roughly one-third of CEOs plan to hire, one-third plan to cut, and one-third plan to do nothing. The result is an economy that looks healthy on paper but isn’t translating into new jobs. Next, Pete examines another wave of tech layoffs, following Atlassian's announcement of 1,600 job cuts as it shifts investment toward AI and enterprise sales. The move follows similar workforce reductions across the tech sector, reinforcing a pattern where companies invest heavily in AI while reducing headcount. Finally, a new report from the Society for Human Resource Management reveals a troubling education-to-employment gap. More than half of college graduates are underemployed within a year of finishing school, and nearly half remain underemployed even a decade later. Employers say they can’t find the right skills, while workers say the jobs simply aren’t there. The takeaway: Companies are growing, investing, and spending, but the link between economic growth and job creation is weakening. So here’s the question: If more than half of college grads are underemployed, is the problem education, employer expectations, or something deeper happening in the labor market? Articles: 1. CEO Economic Outlook Index Q1 2026: https://www.businessroundtable.org/media/ceo-economic-outlook-index/ceo-economic-outlook-index-q1-2026 2. Reuters Coverage on Atlassian Layoffs: https://www.reuters.com/technology/atlassian-lay-off-about-1600-people-pivot-ai-2026-03-11/ 3. From Education to Employment SHRM Report: https://www.shrm.org/about/press-room/shrm-releases-white-paper-on-strengthening-the-path-from-educati 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/RogpqneYizo 🧠 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/

    14 min
  3. 2D AGO

    Breaking Job News: BlackRock Bets $100M on Trades While Volkswagen Cuts 50,000 Jobs

    A $100 million bet on the skilled trades. A global automaker cutting 50,000 jobs. And new hiring data that suggests employers may be more optimistic than the headlines imply. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down three major stories shaping the future of work. First, BlackRock announced a $100 million initiative called Future Builders, aimed at expanding training for electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and ironworkers. The investment reflects a growing realization that America’s infrastructure boom, including data centers, energy systems, and AI infrastructure, can’t happen without skilled trades. Next, Pete looks at new global hiring sentiment data from ManpowerGroup, which surveyed more than 41,000 employers across 42 countries. The outlook improved significantly heading into Q2, with the United States posting one of the strongest hiring expectations. But there’s a catch: much of that data was collected before the latest economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions intensified. Finally, the episode covers troubling news from Volkswagen, which announced plans to cut 50,000 jobs by 2030 following a sharp drop in earnings. While the cuts are centered in Germany, the forces driving them (EV transitions, global competition, and trade pressures) could ripple across the auto industry worldwide. The takeaway: the job market is splitting. Skilled trades and infrastructure jobs are surging, hiring sentiment is improving in some sectors, but major industries are still restructuring. So here’s the question: Do you think skilled trades will become the most secure careers of the next decade, or will automation eventually disrupt those jobs too? Articles: 1. BlackRock Press Release: https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/newsroom/press-releases/article/corporate-one/press-releases/blackrock-launches-philanthropic-skilled-trades-initiative 2. 2026 Q2 ManpowerGroup Survey: https://www.manpowergroup.com/en/insights/q2-2026-manpowergroup-employment-outlook-survey 3. Volkswagen Cuts: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-cut-50-000-jobs-123055122.html? 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/hk11sLihbqc 🧠 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
  4. 3D AGO

    Breaking Job News: The Jobs AI Is Killing… And the Ones It’s Creating

    AI isn’t theoretical anymore... It’s profitable. A new global Snowflake survey of 3,400+ companies reveals that 92% of early AI adopters are seeing positive returns, with average ROI hitting 49%. Companies are making money. Real money. But here’s the part that should get your attention: 63% of respondents report job losses at the entry level. Operations, customer service, and data analytics teams are seeing the biggest impact. Middle management is next. At the same time, not all the news is negative. Cybersecurity, IT operations, and software development are reporting net job gains. In fact, 42% of companies say AI has created jobs only, not cut them. So what’s really happening? AI is restructuring work, not simply eliminating it. Host Pete Newsome also breaks down: Glassdoor’s Employee Confidence Index falling below 50%Senior leaders showing the fastest decline in confidenceADP’s weekly jobs pulse showing modest but narrow job growthWhy customer service roles face the biggest automation riskWhy 69% of workers expect AI to take over part of their own job within 12 monthsThe labor market is shifting fast. If companies are profiting from AI, how should workers respond? Are you preparing for what’s coming… or hoping it slows down? Articles: 1. Snowflake/Omdia Report: https://www.snowflake.com/en/lp/radical-roi-generative-ai/ 2. Glassdoor Report: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoor-employee-confidence-index-february-2026/ 3. ADP NER Pulse: https://mediacenter.adp.com/2026-03-10-ADP-National-Employment-Report-Preliminary-Estimate-for-February-21,-2026 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/aVpA6IXSPpU 🧠 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/

    10 min
  5. 4D AGO

    Today's Job Market Data Is Bad. Here's How Bad.

    Corporate layoffs are rising at the fastest pace since the Great Recession, and at the same time, Washington is quietly hiring back federal workers after cutting more than 387,000 jobs. In today’s Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome breaks down the Conference Board’s latest Employment Trends Index, where six of eight indicators turned negative, and workers say jobs are now as hard to get as they were in early 2021. Pete also examines a Washington Post investigation into the federal workforce reversal, including the rehiring of 123,000 employees after sweeping DOGE-era cuts, and why agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security are struggling to fill critical roles. Meanwhile, a new Business Insider report shows CEOs are considering layoffs at the fastest pace since 2009. Wall Street continues rewarding cost-cutting, and new Morgan Stanley data shows productivity rising while employment falls in AI-exposed industries. Is this stagnation? Policy uncertainty? AI restructuring? Or all of the above? Pete breaks down what the data actually says and what it means for workers right now. Articles: 1. Conference Board ETI: https://www.conference-board.org/topics/employment-trends-index/ 2. Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/09/trump-hiring-federal-workers/ 3. Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/ceos-make-job-cuts-worries-about-economy-and-ai-impacts-2026-3 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/KDB_9Cf-Fy0 🧠 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/

    14 min
  6. MAR 6

    Breaking Job News: BLS Reports 92,000 Jobs Lost, 69,000 Revised Away

    The February jobs report just dropped, and the headline is rough. U.S. payrolls fell by 92,000 in February, reversing much of January’s already revised gains. Unemployment ticked up to 4.4%, long-term unemployment jumped 27% year over year, and prior months were quietly revised downward, wiping out tens of thousands of jobs we thought existed. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down what the Bureau of Labor Statistics report actually shows beneath the surface. December’s gain was revised to a loss. January was trimmed again. Sequentially, the labor market looks much weaker than the headlines suggest. Pete also unpacks the latest data from the National Federation of Independent Business, which paints a different picture. Small business hiring activity ticked up, but 85% of owners say they can’t find qualified applicants. Skilled trades shortages persist, compensation is rising in pockets, and many small firms appear focused on staying steady rather than expanding. The result is a divided labor market: payrolls falling nationally while small businesses struggle to fill specific roles. Wages are holding up, but displaced workers are taking longer to find jobs. So here’s the big question: Are we entering a real downturn in the job market, or are these numbers masking something deeper beneath the revisions? Articles: 1. BLS Employment Situation Summary: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm 2. NFIB Jobs Report: https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/nfib-jobs-report-employment-index-ticks-up/ 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/09dGRZATJEs 🧠 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/

    10 min
  7. MAR 5

    Breaking Job News: Hiring Slows Nationwide as Profitable Firms Cut Jobs

    Layoffs are down, but hiring is falling even faster. In today’s Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down a wave of new labor market data that reveals a troubling pattern: companies aren’t cutting aggressively anymore, but they’re not adding jobs either. We start with the February Challenger Job Cut Report, which shows layoffs dropped sharply month over month. Sounds like good news... until you see hiring plans are down more than 50% from last year. The result? Workers are keeping their jobs, but new opportunities aren’t opening up. Then comes the surprise announcement from Morgan Stanley, cutting 2,500 employees despite a record revenue year. Similar patterns are emerging across major corporations: strong earnings, yet shrinking headcount. The message is shifting from “cutting because we have to” to “cutting because of where we’re going.” Finally, Pete breaks down three fresh labor market reports, including new data from Revelio Labs, showing net job losses, falling job postings, slower hiring rates, and even declining new job posting salaries. Hiring is running at stall speed, and attrition is outpacing additions. So here’s the question: Would you rather see layoffs spike again, or stay in a market where jobs just quietly disappear and never get replaced? Articles: 1. February Challenger Report: https://www.challengergray.com/blog/challenger-report-february-cuts-plunge-hiring-falls-56-percent/ 2. DOL Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims: https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf 3. Morgan Stanley Cuts: https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/morgan-stanley-lays-off-2500-employees-across-all-divisions-wsj-reports-2026-03-04/ 4. Revelio Labs Report: https://www.reveliolabs.com/news/rpls/the-economy-shed-17k-jobs-in-february-2026/ 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE:  https://youtu.be/v8UEVw093pw 🧠 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
  8. MAR 4

    Breaking Job News: The February Jobs Report Looks Good… Until You See the Details

    A new employment report suggests the job market is improving, but the details tell a very different story. In today’s episode of Cornering the Job Market, host Pete Newsome breaks down the latest private payroll data from ADP, which shows the strongest hiring month in seven months. Private employers added 63,000 jobs in February, a headline that sounds encouraging at first glance. A closer look reveals that nearly all of that growth came from just two sectors: healthcare and construction. Healthcare continues to expand as demand for workers grows, while construction hiring is being fueled by massive investments in data centers. Outside those areas, the picture is far less optimistic. Professional and business services lost tens of thousands of jobs for the second straight month, and manufacturing continues a long downward trend. Pete also explores what the data says about who actually holds the power in today’s labor market. The pay premium for switching jobs has dropped to a record low, signaling that employers now have the upper hand after the worker-driven hiring frenzy of 2022. Next, we look at surprising new research from Revelio Labs about LinkedIn profiles. The study finds that professionals who list degrees like MBA or PhD next to their name often score lower on prestige metrics, and MBA holders who do so earn significantly less on average than those who don’t. Finally, Pete reviews new workplace data from Gartner on how companies are actually using AI. Many managers report productivity improvements, but most organizations are still struggling to implement AI effectively. Leadership teams are experimenting heavily, while employees lag behind in adoption. The result is a job market that looks healthy on the surface, but is changing quickly underneath. So the question is: If hiring growth is concentrated in only a few industries, what does that mean for everyone else? Articles: 1. ADP Employment Report: https://adpemploymentreport.com/ 2. Revelio Labs Analysis: https://www.reveliolabs.com/news/social/listing-your-degree-in-your-name-may-not-signal-what-you-think/ 3. Gartner HR Survey: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-3-4-gartner-hr-survey-reveals-45-percent-of-managers-report-ai-has-lived-up-to-their-expectations 📽️ WATCH TODAY'S EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/MZ2hexFYOMk 🧠 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/

    10 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.

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