With tariffs in the headlines, it’s no surprise that a new survey from MyPerfectResume found that 71% of U.S. workers expect that tariffs and global trade tensions will impact their job or industry negatively. On top of that, 42% of U.S. workers surveyed believe that layoffs are likely in the coming months. As a result, increased economic anxiety is affecting how people work, look for new roles and plan their future.
The survey found that 80% of workers are concerned that inflation will reduce their real wages or standard of living. This comes at a time when 35% of workers say their current salary is already not enough to keep up with the cost of living.
With economic pressures impacting day-to-day decisions such as budgets and long-term planning, employees are not just frustrated, but feeling financially strained. The survey found that 21% of employees report stagnant wages or salary growth at their company.
For those who were already considering a role change, 33% say it’s harder to find a job in their field than it was six months ago.
In response to fears about the changing landscape, 76% of employees said they have already taken some form of precautionary action such as updating their resume, creating a financial backdrop plan, or pursuing new skills or certifications. Additionally, 35% of workers said they have changed their career plans due to the economy; either reconsidered switching industries or roles (24%) or postponed a job change (11%).
With many employees bracing for economic turbulence, communication and trust are low. The survey found that only 33% of workers say they trust their employer to be transparent about layoffs or financial challenges and 62% say internal communications are limited, delayed or misleading.
This clear lack of communication from leadership is only adding to the already existing anxieties among U.S. workers.
While the 2025 job market has been defined by instability, employees are responding with resiliency and taking steps to protect their futures and prepare for uncertain times.
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