Welcome back to The Recruiting Radar!

As we wrap up November and head into the final weeks of 2025, conversations across the job market are shifting toward planning, clarity, and year-end reflection. This month’s LinkedIn polls revealed what professionals are prioritizing — from learning styles to workplace preferences — while new data from the BLS gives us our first official snapshot since the shutdown. 

In this edition, you’ll find fresh hiring insights, timely resources for employers and job seekers, two new guides to help you close out the year strong, and a helpful video on optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Plus, a special announcement as Forbes opens voting for America’s Best Recruiting Firms. 

Whether you're finalizing hiring plans or gearing up for a career move in 2026, this month’s highlights will help you head into year-end with clarity and confidence. 

✨ Special Announcement

We are excited to share that Blue Signal has been nominated as one of Forbes America’s Best Recruiting Firms in 3 categories, including, Professional and Specialist, and Temporary Staffing.  

This recognition means so much to us because it reflects the trust and partnership of our clients, candidates, and community. If we’ve had the privilege of working with you — whether helping you grow your team or take the next step in your career — we’d be grateful for your vote. 

How to Vote (it only takes a few minutes!): 

1️⃣ Register here: https://www.statista.com/page/best-recruiting-firms with your business email address or provide your LinkedIn profile URL. (A unique voting link will be sent to you after registering!)

2️⃣ Check your email for the link to complete the survey. (If you did not receive the email, please check your SPAM/JUNK folder - the subject line will be “America's Best Recruiting Firms 2026 - Invitation to a Survey by Forbes and Statista”.)  

Thank you for trusting Blue Signal as your recruiting partner! 

📊 Industry Insights 

Job Report Update (BLS Data is Back!) 

With the federal government catching up after the shutdown, the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects September 2025, not November. According to the latest release, total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 119,000, continuing the slow, largely flat trend seen since April. The unemployment rate held at 4.4%, with 7.6 million people unemployed — slightly higher than this time last year. 

Healthcare remained the biggest driver of job gains, adding 43,000 positions across ambulatory health care services (+23,000) and hospitals (+16,000). Food services and drinking places also continued to trend upward with +37,000 jobs, while social assistance added 14,000, led by strong growth in individual and family services. 

Several sectors saw declines. Transportation and warehousing fell by 25,000, including losses in warehousing and storage (–11,000) and couriers and messengers (–7,000). Federal government employment also declined by 3,000 and remains down significantly since January. Most other major industries — including construction, manufacturing, professional and business services, and financial activities — showed little or no change. 

Wage growth remained modest. Average hourly earnings rose $0.09 to $36.67 in September, up 3.8% year over year. The average workweek held steady at 34.2 hours, with minimal movement across most industries. Revisions to July and August reduced previously reported employment levels by a combined 33,000 jobs. 

Overall, the September report reinforces a steady but subdued labor market, with healthcare and food services continuing to provide the strongest momentum. The BLS is scheduled to release the official November 2025 report on December 16, which will offer a much clearer picture of current hiring trends. We’ll share a full breakdown in the next edition of The Recruiting Radar, so stay tuned! 

November Polls 

Each month, we ask our LinkedIn community to weigh in on work habits, motivation, and the realities of modern work. November’s polls revealed a lot about gratitude, focus, and how professionals are navigating the shift into shorter, darker days. 

• Thanksgiving Check-In: What Are You Most Grateful for at Work? In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we asked followers to reflect on what made their work meaningful this year. Doing meaningful work led with 34%, closely followed by supportive teammates at 29%. Growth opportunities came in at 19%, and 18% said simply feeling appreciated mattered most. The takeaway? Purpose and people remain the biggest drivers of workplace satisfaction. 

• Career Check-In: Where Are You in Your Job Search? As year-end approaches, we invited our growing audience to share where they are in their career journey. A striking 68% said they’re actively applying, signaling strong candidate mobility as we head into 2026. 16% reported being ready for a change, while 11% just started a new role. Only 6% said they’re in their dream job—a reminder that many professionals are still searching for long-term fit. 

• Productivity Reality Check: What Breaks Your Focus Most? Meetings, messages, and multitasking—every workplace has its distractions. When asked what derails productivity most, meeting overload was the clear leader at 42%. Notifications followed at 22%, with “quick questions” close behind at 21%. Midday burnout rounded out the list at 14%.  The data shows that interruptions—both scheduled and unscheduled—continue to be a major pain point for professionals. 

• Shorter Days, Lower Energy? How Daylight Impacts Work: With darker mornings and earlier evenings, we asked how the shorter days affect daily motivation. Responses were split: 36% said they feel more tired, while another 36% reported no change to their routine. 18% felt less motivated to start the day, and 10% actually prefer the seasonal shift. It’s a reminder that workplace energy levels fluctuate this time of year—and leaders may need to adjust expectations to match. 

Thanks to everyone who voted and joined the conversation this month! Stay tuned for December’s polls as we close out the year with fresh insights into workplace motivation, hiring trends, and year-end reflections.

📚 Recruiting Resources 

This month’s articles explore how hiring strategies, compensation expectations, and critical industry shifts are shaping 2026—helpful reading whether you’re hiring or job hunting. 

2026 Compensation Trends and Salary Guide 

Wages remain top of mind as companies plan for next year. This guide breaks down what compensation increases, bonuses, and total rewards may look like in 2026 — offering insight for employers budgeting for talent and for candidates negotiating their next role.  Read more » 

How Veteran Recruiting Services Help Employers Hire Top Military Talent 

Talent shortages continue in many sectors — which means overlooked talent pools are more valuable than ever. This post highlights the benefits of hiring veterans, shares why they make strong long-term employees, and outlines how to tailor your recruiting process to welcome them effectively.  See the full article » 

The Future of Data Centers: Why Power and Energy Recruiting Matters More Than Ever 

As demand for data, cloud, and digital infrastructure grows, so does the need for power and energy professionals who keep data centers running — safely and sustainably. This blog dives into the challenges and opportunities in this niche recruiting space, and why companies need to act fast to secure talent. Explore more here » 

 💡 Featured Guides: 

🎁 2025 Hiring Trends Wrapped

Curious where hiring is headed next year? This carousel breaks down the biggest shifts shaping talent acquisition in 2025 — from evolving tech roles to shifting demand across industries. A must-see if you’re planning hiring strategies or evaluating your career roadmap.

Check out the recap »  

❄️ 5 Tips for Working Through the Holidays 

As we head into year-end, distractions and burnout can peak — especially with everything going on personally and professionally. This guide shares five simple but effective strategies to stay focused, balanced, and productive through the holiday season. Great for both job seekers and hiring teams juggling year-end tasks.

Swipe through the carousel »  

📺 Resume & Career Services YouTube Library 

Our sister company, Resume and Career Services, has a YouTube channel full of practical advice for job seekers navigating today’s market. With competition high and year-end hiring in full swing, a strong LinkedIn profile is one of the easiest ways to boost your visibility. This month’s featured video walks through eight practical tips — from customizing your URL to using the right keywords and showcasing your work — to help your profile stand out to recruiters. Watch now!  

▶️ This Month’s Featured Video: 8 Ways to Optimize your LinkedIn Profile 

If you're exploring new opportunities or refreshing your personal brand for 2026, check out Resume & Career Services full library on YouTube for more tips! 

🔥 Hot Job Openings 

1. Business Development Manager – SaaS/Cybersecurity   
2. Territory Sales Strategist – Fiber Optic Infrastructure Solutions   
3. Enterprise Business Development Executive, Security Services and Platforms 
4. Telehealth Psychologist - Pediatrics   
5. Tax Manager 
6. Building Automation Systems Technician Specialist 
7. Head of New Product Development (NPD) 
8. Strategic Sales Executive, Aerospace Components 
9. DC Cluster Manager 
10. Channel Sales – AI Compute Infrastructure 
11. Fiber Construction Project Manager 
12. Market Director – Fiber, Broadband 

Discover exciting career opportunities across diverse industries on our job board! 

Closing out November 

As we head into the final stretch of 2025, Blue Signal remains dedicated to helping professionals and employers reach their goals. With a team of specialized recruiters and a wealth of resources, we're here to support your career goals and staffing needs. We look forward to sharing more insights and opportunities in the months ahead. Don't miss out -— make sure to subscribe. 

 Need help finding talent? Reach out today! 

Stay Connected: 

🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: Blue Signal Search 

🌐 Explore our website: bluesignal.com 

📱 Connect with us on: Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! 

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