Episodes

  • Why Job Ads Are Now Asking for Test Results Before the Interview

    Why Job Ads Are Now Asking for Test Results Before the Interview
    Jul 4 2026
    Lucas and Luna dive into a surprising new trend in hiring: a growing number of employers are requiring candidates to submit test results—skills assessments, personality inventories, or cognitive tests—before even scheduling a first interview. Drawing on recent JOLTS data showing 7.6 million job openings and a 4.2 percent unemployment rate in June 2026, they explore why companies are adding this screening layer. Lucas unpacks how this shift affects job seekers, especially those applying to larger firms and tech roles, and contrasts it with the 'apply everywhere' strategy many use. Luna raises concerns about bias and accessibility, and they discuss the fine line between useful filtering and adding friction. The episode also touches on the broader labor market context: with 159 million nonfarm payrolls and a slight uptick in openings, employers have more candidates to choose from—and tests are one way to narrow the pool. Listeners get a clear takeaway: if you're job hunting, expect more pre-interview assessments, and prepare accordingly. #JobAds #HiringTrends #SkillsTests #PreScreening #JobSeekers #LaborMarket #JOLTS #Unemployment #HRTech #Careers #JobSearch #Recruitment #Accessibility #BiasInHiring #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareersPodcast #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    5 mins
  • What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Mental Health Support

    What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Mental Health Support
    Jul 3 2026
    In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into a surprising signal hidden in job postings: how employers talk — or don't talk — about mental health. With the unemployment rate dipping to 4.2% and job openings edging up to 7.6 million, companies are competing for talent, but many still avoid mentioning mental health benefits. Lucas cites a new analysis of 500,000 job ads from June 2026, finding that only 12% mention any mental health support, and those that do see 34% more applicants per ad. They discuss what this means for job seekers reading between the lines, and why some employers are starting to lead with mental health language while others stay silent. Luna shares her own experience with a company that touted 'unlimited PTO' but never talked about therapy coverage. The episode also touches on the broader trend of employee expectations shifting post-pandemic, and whether the cooling job market is making employers drop these perks from ads. Plus, a quick note on how listener support keeps the show ad-free. #MentalHealthAtWork #JobAds #HiringSignals #EmployeeWellbeing #LaborMarket #EmploymentTrends #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #UnemploymentRate #JOLTS #EmployerBrand #Benefits #WorkplaceCulture #TherapyCoverage #Careers #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #JobMarketPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 mins
  • Why More Job Seekers Are Giving Up in 2026

    Why More Job Seekers Are Giving Up in 2026
    Jul 3 2026
    Lucas and Luna look at the surprising drop in labor force participation in mid-2026, despite a low unemployment rate and steady job growth. They unpack the CNBC headline about the lowest participation outside the Covid era, explore who is leaving the workforce and why, and discuss what this means for employers trying to fill roles. Drawing on JOLTS data showing rising job openings alongside falling participation, they ask whether the hot job market is actually leaving millions behind. #JobMarket #LaborForceParticipation #Unemployment #JOLTS #JobOpenings #Hiring #Careers #Workforce #DiscouragedWorkers #EconomicTrends #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareersPodcast #Employment #JobSeekers #LaborMarket #EmployerBrand #Mid2026 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    7 mins
  • What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Desperation for Active Job Seekers

    What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Desperation for Active Job Seekers
    Jul 2 2026
    Episode 89 of The Job Market Podcast explores a new angle in job ads: how employers are increasingly using language targeting 'active' vs 'passive' candidates. Lucas and Luna analyze recent data showing the labor force participation rate at a 50-year low (excluding Covid) and discuss what it means for hiring strategies. They break down a real job posting from a major tech firm that explicitly asks for 'actively looking' candidates, and debate whether this signals desperation or a strategic shift. The conversation ties into the latest JOLTS data showing 7.6 million openings, and the surprising drop in unemployment to 4.2%. Listeners learn how to decode employer intent from job ad phrasing, and why being an 'active' seeker might actually be an advantage right now. #JobAds #ActiveCandidates #PassiveCandidates #HiringTrends #LaborMarket #Unemployment #JobOpenings #JOLTS #LaborForceParticipationRate #Careers #JobSearch #Recruiting #EmployerStrategy #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #JobMarketPodcast #HiringSignal Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    7 mins
  • What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Honesty in 2026

    What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Honesty in 2026
    Jul 2 2026
    In this episode of The Job Market Podcast, Lucas and Luna dig into a fascinating trend in job ads: the shift toward longer, more detailed salary ranges and responsibilities. They explore what the data says about employer honesty in a cooling market, referencing the latest JOLTS numbers showing job openings holding steady at 7.6 million. Using examples from recent postings, they discuss why companies might be more transparent now and what job seekers should watch for. The conversation also touches on the unemployment rate holding at 4.3% and what that means for bargaining power. A must-listen for anyone navigating the 2026 job market. #EmployerHonesty #JobAds #SalaryTransparency #LaborMarket2026 #JobSearch #HiringTrends #Careers #Employment #JOLTS #UnemploymentRate #JobSeekerTips #Recruitment #JobMarketPodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #TransparencyInHiring #WageData Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 mins
  • What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Honesty in 2026

    What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Honesty in 2026
    Jul 1 2026
    Lucas and Luna examine a growing trend in job postings: employers exaggerating role requirements and salary ranges. With JOLTS data showing 7.6 million job openings in May 2026 and average hourly earnings up just 0.2% over the month, they discuss how inflated ads waste applicant time and signal desperation or disorganization. Lucas cites a LinkedIn study finding 40% of postings list 'preferred' skills that are actually required, while Luna shares a story of a friend who applied for a 'junior' role requiring five years' experience. They explore how the cooling labor market is forcing companies to become more realistic—or risk losing candidates to competitors. The conversation ends with practical advice for job seekers on reading between the lines. #JobAds #EmployerHonesty #HiringTrends #JobMarket #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers #JobSearch #SalaryTransparency #LinkedIn #JOLTS #HiringBias #SkillsInflation #JobPostings #LaborMarket #Recruiting #Mid2026 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    9 mins
  • What Employers Get Wrong About Hiring in a Cooling Job Market

    What Employers Get Wrong About Hiring in a Cooling Job Market
    Jul 1 2026
    Mid-2026 job openings ticked up to 7.59 million and unemployment held at 4.3%, yet a new CNBC headline reveals that some employers who laid off workers citing AI are already regretting it. Lucas and Luna dig into that specific dynamic: why companies misread the labor market, the gap between layoff announcements and actual hiring needs, and what the data on initial jobless claims dropping to 215,000 tells us about who is really struggling to find work. They break down one underreported cause of the mismatch: employers who over-corrected in 2025 now can't find the skills they cut. No vague talking points—just the numbers and the stories behind them. #JobMarket #HiringTrends #LaborMarket #AILayoffs #RegretfulEmployers #CNBC #InitialJoblessClaims #UnemploymentRate #JobOpenings #NonfarmPayrolls #Careers #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #EconomicTrends #Mid2026 #HiringMistakes #SkillsGap #LaborMarketUpdate Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    10 mins
  • What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Confidence in 2026

    What Job Ads Reveal About Employer Confidence in 2026
    Jul 1 2026
    In this episode of The Job Market Podcast, Lucas and Luna dig into a surprising signal hidden in today's job postings: employers' willingness to state a specific salary range. With the S&P 500 at 7,499 and unemployment holding at 4.3%, job openings have ticked up to 7.6 million. But a growing share of ads now omit salary bands altogether. Lucas explains how this shift reflects employer confidence — or lack thereof — and what it means for job seekers. They discuss why companies in tight labor markets are more likely to list pay, while those in softer sectors play coy. Luna brings a concrete example from a recent Indeed analysis showing that ads with salary ranges get 30% more applicants. The hosts also connect this to the broader trend of transparency legislation in states like Colorado and New York. If you're job hunting or just watching labor market signals, this episode offers a practical lens on a subtle but telling metric. #SalaryRangeTransparency #JobAds #EmployerConfidence #LaborMarket2026 #HiringTrends #JobSeekers #Indeed #ColoradoEqualPay #NewYorkSalaryTransparency #CompensationData #WageDisclosure #MarketSignals #Careers #JobMarketPodcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #TightLaborMarket Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    6 mins