Despite low unemployment, many NC workers struggle to find jobs
Despite low unemployment, many NC workers struggle to find jobs
Cindy BaeSat, August 22, 2026 at 12:32 AM UTC
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Despite historically low unemployment and jobless claims, some North Carolina workers say finding a new job remains difficult as employers remain cautious about hiring.
Denise Shipman said the job search process has become more challenging.
"It's not good," Shipman said. "The way everything is set up now ... they're asking more questions ... the process is taking longer."
Shipman said she has been relying on her savings and closely monitoring her spending while looking for work.
According to the latest Labor Department report, jobless claims remain at historically low levels. However, low unemployment does not necessarily make finding a new job easy, particularly for recent graduates and people who have recently lost their jobs.
Tyrell Jones said he is getting by through freelance work as job opportunities become harder to find.
"It's not easy," Jones said. "I have about maybe 15 years of experience, not only in customer service, but I drive as well."
Economists describe the current environment as a "no hire, no fire" market, in which companies are holding onto existing employees to avoid labor shortages experienced during the pandemic but remain hesitant to expand their workforce.
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The rising cost of living continues to weigh on workers.
"Electricity is high, food is high, even rent," Jones said. "You have to work anywhere between two to three jobs just to have a sustainable and comfortable way of living."
Despite those challenges, experts said North Carolina's economy continues to grow, supported by sectors including health care, life sciences and a growing skilled workforce.
"We're seeing a slowing job growth nationally. We're seeing some of that for North Carolina, but we're still growing much faster than the United States, and so the question is how much slowing we're going to see," economist Gerald Cohen said.
Cohen said North Carolina remains relatively affordable compared with many other states and that the Triangle continues to attract businesses and new residents.
"Our manufacturing sector has been hit pretty hard," Cohen said. "Our tech sector, it's kind of a mixed bag. But we're still growing."
Experts say North Carolina remains relatively affordable compared with other states, and the Triangle continues to attract businesses and new residents
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Source: “AOL Money”
