How to Find a Job Despite Nationwide Layoffs and AI

Alexa HenryUpdated June 12, 2025

8 min read

The job market has been sounding alarms for quite some time now and the ground is shifting faster than ever. About 80,000 people have lost their jobs to layoffs at tech companies so far in 2025, and AI seems poised to reshape entire industries. Yet beneath this chaos lies opportunity—if you know where to look.

While 40% of employers expect to reduce the workforce and impiment AI, it is the same tool that is creating new pathways for those who can adapt. Many see this as another recession, essentially its become a fundamental rewiring of how work gets done.

What You’re Really Up Against

The numbers tell it all. AI and automation have significantly impacted wages, causing up to 70% reductions since 1980. Over the years we’ve seen the impact of Manufacturing jobs fading away has made to the economy and households across the country. We are now seeing this spread across other industries, as AI advances and is used in the workforce. It’s estimated that 53% of market research analyst tasks and 67% of sales representative tasks could be automated, changing the way these roles work.

The numbers are staggering and the result could be detimentral but here’s what many of these headlines miss: while millions of jobs may disappear, new roles emerge—creating a net positive of jobs globally.

Where the Jobs Actually Are: Hidden Opportunities

Remote Jobs and Work From Home Opportunities

The demand for remote jobs isn’t slowing down, ots just changing a bit. Fully remote jobs have increased from 10% in Q1 2023 to 13% in Q1 2025. Though they are steadily increaing, they aren’t always readily available. The sweet spot for these jobs? Hybrid roles, which 48% of job seekers actually prefer.

Don’t just search “remote jobs”—look for companies advertising hybrid flexibility. These employers are actively competing for talent and often offer better pay and overall compensation packages.

Security Jobs and IT Jobs: The Growth Goldmine

While corporations continue to slash their workforce, cybersecurity remains a hiring hotspot. Global cybersecurity job vacancies remain at 3.5 million unfilled positions, with a current U.S. talent shortage of 265,000 professionals. Even better: cybersecurity engineers have an average starting at salary around $138,500.

The beauty of security and IT jobs? They’re recession-proof. Every company, regardless of size, needs digital protection. Whether you’re searching for “jobs near me” or willing to work remotely, cybersecurity offers stability and growth.

Entry Level Jobs: Your Foot in the Door Strategy

The conventional wisdom about entry-level jobs being extinct is wrong. Theres a hiring trend on the rise with 70% of security leaders saying they value entry-level cyber experience (1-3 years) over a bachelor’s degree. The trick is targeting the right sectors, and applying at the right moment.

Government jobs still remain a reliable entry point, this could essentially be through government contractors. On the other hand federal agencies are actively hiring for IT support jobs and health IT jobs, often with lower experience requirements. City jobs and local government positions frequently offer remote work options and comprehensive training programs.

Data Entry Remote Jobs and Online Jobs: The Bridge Positions

While AI threatens traditional data entry, specialized data entry remote jobs are thriving. Companies need humans to train AI systems, verify automated outputs, and handle complex data scenarios. These roles often serve as stepping stones to higher-level positions.

Online summer jobs for teachers and summer jobs for teachers have exploded beyond seasonal work. Online teaching jobs now encompass corporate training, software tutorials, and professional development—sectors that pay significantly more than traditional education, essentially expanding teaching careers into a better pay.

The AI Advantage: How to Make Technology Your Ally

Here’s the counterintuitive truth: AI creates opportunities for those who embrace it. Only 2 in every 1,000 jobs currently ask for generative AI skills, meaning early adopters face minimal competition.

Practical steps:

Learn basic AI tools relevant to your field
Highlight AI collaboration skills on your resume
Target companies actively implementing AI (they need human oversight)
Consider hybrid roles that combine human judgment with AI efficiency

Your Job Search Strategy: What Actually Works in 2025

Use Multiple Search Channels

Don’t rely solely on major job boards. Use “remote jobs finder” tools, but also:

Check company websites directly
Network within professional associations
Explore government job portals for federal and city jobs
Join industry-specific Slack communities and Discord servers

Target Growth Industries

While tech companies cut staff, other sectors are hiring aggressively:

Healthcare: Booming demand for health IT jobs and medical support roles
Finance: Banks actively hiring for cybersecurity and IT support jobs
Manufacturing: Seeking workers to manage AI systems and automation
Government: Federal, state, and city jobs with stable benefits

Leverage the Skills Gap

87% of leaders who plan to hire list AI experience as valuable for job seekers, but most candidates lack these skills. Even basic familiarity with AI tools can set you apart.

Part Time Jobs and Flexible Work: Building Your Portfolio Career

The gig economy has matured into something more strategic. 28% of workers admit to having another job, while 18% plan to join the trend in 2025. This is truly adapting to the needs that the economy throws around.

Smart moves:

Start with part time jobs in your target industry
Build freelance skills that complement your main career
Use contract work to gain experience in AI and emerging technologies
Treat side projects as professional development, not just income

What Is IT Really About?

The question “what is IT” takes on new meaning when discussing IT careers today. IT isn’t what it used to be when it was confined to server rooms and help desks—it’s evolved into the essential infrastructure needed to make modern life possible. IT workers are strategic partners, translators between business needs and technical solutions, and architects of digital transformation.

IT jobs remote opportunities focus on:

Cloud security and management
AI system oversight and training
Remote workforce support
Digital transformation consulting

Entry IT jobs now require less formal education but demand practical skills. Certifications often matter more than degrees, and hands-on experience trumps theoretical knowledge.

The Bottom Line: Your Action Plan

The job market of 2025 rewards adaptability, skills, and proactive learning. While AI and layoffs create uncertainty, they also create space for those willing to move quickly and think differently.

The future belongs to those who can dance with change, not resist it. While others panic about AI and layoffs, build the skills and connections that lead to the careers being created. The difference isn’t luck—it’s preparation meeting opportunity. Your next job is out there, probably in a form you haven’t imagined yet.

Sources and References

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