JOB MARKET TRENDS: Quarterly Review – 2025 vs 2024
Both years show inevitable up and down patterns given the uncertainty in the market over the last two years, but 2025 is materially weaker than 2024 in absolute volumes but appears far more stable quarter-to-quarter.
The Q4 drop in 2025 is significantly less severe than in 2024, with Manufacturing & Transport (newly tracked in 2025) showing the clearest structural strength, finishing the year well above Q1. You may recall this was due to the high seasonal increase expected in in November from Manufacturing, but then a decline in December.
Sales and CEO/GM are the only established categories to end 2025 above Q1 levels, but what appears as volatile in 2024, now appears to be less so.
2025 Quarterly Review
Unlike 2024, 2025 shows a much closer quarterly range in most categories:
- Monthly activity appears to be holding within narrow bands
- Growth ratios remain relatively consistent
2024 Quarterly Recap
- 2024 displays a clear “down, up, down” pattern after Q1 in every category except CEO/GM.
- Management roles increased through Q1, Q2 and Q3, then dropped sharply in Q4, ended the year below Q1, like all other categories
- Manufacturing & Transport had not been tracked in this year so no direct comparison for 2025 vs 2024.
Interesting Note
Q3 is the high point of both 2025 and 2024!
Every category peaks in Q3 2025, exactly as in 2024 – however the annual volume differences balance out with actual drops – both are somewhat lower.
It will be interesting to see how the strength of Quarter 3 behaves in 2026 – watch this space!!
Categories at Year End: Q4 2025
Three categories end Q4 above Q1:
- Manufacturing & Transport (clear upward trajectory)
- Sales
- CEO / GM
Accounting, Admin, Legal, HR and ICT all end Q4 2025 below Q1 – but the decline from Q1 to Q4 is materially smaller than in 2024.
Categories at Year End: Q4 2024
2024 displays a clear “down, up, down” pattern after Q1 in every category except CEO/GM – but all had declined lower than Q1 at Q4, supporting the volatility as displayed in the 2024 annual quarterly picture.
Final Overview
Every category volume (where comparable) is lower year-on-year
Decline is broad-based, not sector-specific
- 2024: sharp rises and falls
- 2025: flatter curves, narrower ranges
With two very different pictures for 2024 and 2025 and a future which potentially holds so much change, 2026 will be the one to watch AND be ready for!
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author accepts no liability for any changes, loss, or damage arising from reliance on its content. Readers should seek independent legal advice and updates, before acting on any matter discussed in this document.