Job Market Shifted Fast

I tracked 200 job postings across tech, marketing, and operations roles for three months. The patterns that emerged surprised me.

The job market is shifting faster than most people realize. Here's what the data shows and what it means for your career.

The Research

From September to November 2025, I monitored job postings from 50 companies across three sectors:

• Tech (software, product, data)
• Marketing (digital, content, growth)
• Operations (project management, business ops)

I tracked: required skills, experience levels, salary ranges, remote policies, and time-to-fill.

The changes were dramatic.

Finding #1: Skills Requirements Are Narrowing

September: Average job posting listed 12-15 required skills
November: Average dropped to 7-9 required skills

Companies are getting more specific about what they actually need.

What this means: Job descriptions are becoming more realistic. If you match 70% of requirements, you're competitive. Don't let long skill lists intimidate you.

Research context: Studies on hiring bias show that overly broad job requirements disproportionately discourage qualified candidates, particularly women and minorities. This narrowing trend suggests companies are becoming more intentional about inclusive hiring practices.

Finding #2: Experience Inflation Is Reversing

September: 65% of mid-level roles required 5-7 years experience
November: 52% of similar roles now accept 3-5 years

The "entry-level job requiring 5 years experience" paradox is slowly dying.

What this means: Companies are prioritizing skills over arbitrary experience thresholds. Career changers and early-career professionals have better odds now than six months ago.

Research context: Organizational psychology research indicates that experience requirements often serve as proxies for competence, but poorly predict actual job performance. This shift suggests evidence-based hiring practices are gaining traction.

Finding #3: Remote Work Policies Stabilized

September: 40% fully remote, 35% hybrid, 25% office-required
November: 42% fully remote, 38% hybrid, 20% office-required

After years of flux, companies have settled into their remote work stance.

What this means: If a company isn't offering remote work now, they probably won't. Filter your search accordingly.

Research context: Studies on remote work productivity show that outcomes vary significantly by role type and individual work style. Companies are now making data-driven decisions about which roles can be remote rather than blanket policies.

Finding #4: Salary Transparency Is Increasing

September: 18% of postings included salary ranges
November: 34% included salary ranges

More states are requiring salary transparency. Companies are adapting.

What this means: You have more negotiating power. Use salary data to anchor your expectations before applying.

Research context: Research on pay equity demonstrates that salary transparency reduces gender and racial pay gaps. This trend represents a structural shift toward fairer compensation practices.

Finding #5: Time-to-Fill Is Increasing

September: Average 32 days from posting to offer
November: Average 47 days

Companies are taking longer to hire.

What this means: Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately. The process is slower for everyone. Stay patient and keep applying.

Research context: Hiring timeline research shows that longer processes often correlate with more thorough candidate evaluation but can also indicate organizational indecision. Understanding this helps manage expectations during your search.

Finding #6: AI Skills Are Becoming Table Stakes

September: 12% of postings mentioned AI/ML skills
November: 31% mentioned AI/ML skills

Even non-technical roles now expect basic AI literacy.

What this means: If you're not familiar with ChatGPT, Claude, or similar tools, start learning. You don't need to be an expert, but you need to be comfortable.

Research context: Technology adoption curves in the workplace show that AI integration is following a similar pattern to previous technological shifts (internet, mobile, cloud). Early adopters gain competitive advantages in the job market.

What This Means for Your Job Search

If You're Actively Searching:

1. Apply even if you don't meet 100% of requirements. The bar is lower than it appears.

2. Highlight AI familiarity. Even if it's just "used ChatGPT for research" or "automated tasks with AI tools."

3. Be patient. Longer hiring timelines mean you need to apply to more roles simultaneously.

4. Use salary data. With more transparency, you can negotiate more effectively.

5. Clarify remote expectations early. Companies have made their decisions. Don't waste time on roles that won't work for you.

If You're Passively Looking:

1. Update your LinkedIn. Narrow your skills to your strongest 7-9. Quality over quantity.

2. Add AI skills. Take a free course. Experiment with tools. Make it visible on your profile.

3. Watch for salary ranges. They signal companies serious about transparency and fair pay.

4. Network strategically. With longer hiring timelines, referrals matter more than ever.

The Bigger Picture

These shifts reflect broader changes in how companies think about talent:

• From credentials to capabilities: Experience matters less than demonstrated skills
• From location to outcomes: Remote work is here to stay for many roles
• From opacity to transparency: Salary and requirements are becoming clearer
• From static to adaptive: AI literacy is now a baseline expectation

Research perspective: These trends align with findings in organizational behavior research showing that high-performing companies increasingly use evidence-based hiring practices rather than traditional credential-based screening.

What to Watch in 2026

Based on these patterns, I predict:

1. More skills-based hiring: Certifications and portfolios will matter more than degrees
2. Continued AI integration: Expect AI skills in 50%+ of job postings by mid-2026
3. Salary transparency mandates: More states will require salary ranges in postings
4. Faster initial screens, slower final decisions: AI will speed up resume screening but human decision-making will remain slow

Your Action Plan

This week:

• Review your resume. Cut it down to your strongest 7-9 skills.
• Add one AI tool you've used (even if it's just ChatGPT for brainstorming).
• Research salary ranges for your target roles using Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or Payscale.

This month:

• Apply to 10 roles even if you only match 70% of requirements.
• Take one free AI course (Coursera, YouTube, LinkedIn Learning).
• Update your LinkedIn to reflect current market expectations.

This quarter:

• Build a portfolio or case study demonstrating your skills.
• Network with people in your target companies.
• Track your own data: applications sent, responses received, interviews completed.

The Bottom Line

The job market is changing fast. But the changes are mostly in your favor.

Requirements are more realistic. Salary is more transparent. Remote work is more common. AI skills are learnable.

The candidates who adapt to these shifts will have a significant advantage.

Don't wait for the market to stabilize. It won't. Adapt now and stay ahead.