You're not alone. Roughly 20% of American companies say they plan to slow hiring in the second half of 2025, according to a Conference Board survey of 100 chief HR officers. That figure is nearly double the level seen a year ago.
The job market has shifted dramatically, and if you're still using the same strategies from last year, you're already behind. Let me show you exactly why October 2025 is different and what you need to do right now to get interviews.
The October 2025 Hiring Freeze: What's Really Happening
The labor market has started to show signs of a slowdown amid President Donald Trump's economic policy chaos—especially his on-again, off-again tariffs, mass deportations, and ad hoc cuts to the federal government. This October is particularly challenging because of multiple converging factors.
The hiring rate fell to a recent low of 3.3% over the summer, bounced back to 3.5% in September, then returned to 3.3% in October. Companies are being more selective than ever, and the competition for each opening has intensified.
The numbers tell the story:
- The average job search now takes six months, nearly a full month longer than in 2024
- The number of available jobs increased slightly to 7.23 million at the end of August from an upwardly revised 7.21 million
- Seasonal job postings are up by only 2.7% compared to the same time last year
Problem #1: You Missed the Fall Peak Hiring Window
Here's the harsh truth about October hiring: You're too late for the fall rush.
September and October form a second peak hiring season, as employers rush to fill positions before year-end. But here's what most job seekers don't realize - by October, most of those positions are already in the final interview stages.
Hiring managers want to fill open positions before the holiday season begins and before key employees in the hiring process are on vacation. The companies that were serious about fall hiring started their processes in early September. By mid-October, they're making offers, not starting new searches.
What this means for you: The "good" positions that companies urgently needed to fill before year-end? They're gone. What's left are either highly specialized roles or positions at companies with slower hiring processes.
Problem #2: Not Seeing Relevant Positions
The 2025 holiday hiring landscape is shaping up to be more competitive for job seekers than it has been in recent years. While seasonal job postings are up slightly compared to last year, they remain below pre-pandemic levels.
The positions you're seeing now aren't the ones you want. Here's why:
- Entry-level and common positions were filled in September
- What remains are either very senior roles or very niche positions
- Companies, including Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo, have hired software engineers, AI engineers, and cybersecurity experts - but generic roles are frozen
Problem #3: You're Not Applying to Enough Jobs (The Right Way)
The average job seeker needs to submit between 32 and 200+ applications to land a single job offer. But here's the kicker - it's not just about volume.
Smart job seekers should spend 80% of their time networking and only 20% on applications, since 85% of jobs are filled through connections.
The October 2025 reality check:
- You need 100-200 applications for one offer through job boards
- But only 20-40 targeted applications if you're using referrals
- One referral is worth 40 cold applications
Most job seekers are doing this backwards - spending 80% of time applying and 20% networking.
Problem #4: Your Generic Resume is Getting Auto-Rejected
Every October, competition intensifies. 75% of resumes are rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Why? Because you're using the same resume for every application.
In October 2025, companies are getting 3x more applications than in summer months. Their ATS filters are set to maximum strictness. If your resume doesn't have the exact keywords from the job description, you're out before a human even sees it.
The keyword crisis:
- Companies change job descriptions weekly in October to filter out mass applicants
- Generic resumes score 40-50% in ATS systems
- Tailored resumes score 75-85%
- You need at least 70% to pass the October filters
Problem #5: You're Not Attaching Cover Letters (Big Mistake in October)
35.4% of newly hired job seekers consistently submitted cover letters during their job search. But in October, this number jumps to nearly 50% because competition is fiercer.
77% of recruiters will give preference to candidates who sent a cover letter, even if submitting one is optional. In October's competitive market, skipping the cover letter is like showing up to a job interview in jeans when everyone else is wearing suits.
Why October makes cover letters critical:
- Hiring managers have more time to read them (slower hiring = more thorough review)
- It's your chance to explain why you're looking in October (not a red flag if explained well)
- 60% of companies demand cover letters from job applicants
Problem #6: You're Not Networking (While Everyone Else Is)
Here's the October networking reality that will shock you: Experts estimate that between 50-80% of all available positions are filled through this hidden job market.
In October, this percentage goes even higher. Why? Because companies want to fill remaining positions quickly and quietly before the holidays. They turn to employee referrals and trusted networks.
80% of jobs are filled through networking, and 85% of jobs are never publicly advertised.
The October networking advantage:
- People are back from summer vacations and active on LinkedIn
- Year-end events and conferences are happening
- Professionals are planning for 2026 and more open to connecting
- 80% of professionals find networking essential to their career success
The October 2025 Action Plan: How to Get Interviews Now
Week 1: Fix Your Foundation
- Audit your resume with ATS checkers (aim for 75%+ score)
- Create 3 resume templates for your top job categories
- Write a master cover letter you can customize in 5 minutes
- Update your LinkedIn to "Open to Work" with specific keywords
Week 2: Strategic Applications
- Apply to 30 jobs but do it strategically:
- 10 dream companies (even if no openings posted)
- 10 target companies (good fit)
- 10 safety companies (easier to get)
- Use Uptra's keyword generator to tailor each resume (takes 2 minutes vs 2 hours)
- Always attach a cover letter - even if "optional"
Week 3: Network Like Your Job Depends on It
- Send 50 LinkedIn connection requests to people in your target companies
- Message 20 alumni from your school working in your field
- Attend 2 virtual industry events (everyone's hosting year-end webinars)
- Join 3 industry-specific Slack/Discord communities
Week 4: The Hidden Job Market Hack
- Message hiring managers directly about Q1 2026 openings
- Ask about contract-to-hire positions (companies love these in Q4)
- Offer to start in January (shows flexibility)
- Follow up with September applications (many fell through)
Why Uptra Makes October Job Hunting Actually Work
October's compressed timeline means you can't waste time on manual tasks. Here's how Uptra fixes each October problem:
The Resume Problem: Uptra's AI analyzes job descriptions and instantly shows missing keywords. What takes 2 hours manually takes 2 minutes.
The Cover Letter Problem: Generate customized cover letters that reference specific company challenges and October hiring needs.
The Application Volume Problem: Apply to 10 jobs in the time it used to take for one, without sacrificing quality.
The Interview Prep Problem: When you do get that October interview, Uptra's AI prep helps you explain your October job search strategically.
The Bottom Line: October Isn't Dead, It's Different
October 2025 is tough, but it's not impossible. The labor market continues to evolve in 2025, but one trend remains consistent: Skilled professionals are in high demand.
The key is understanding that October requires a different strategy:
- Quality over quantity (but you still need quantity)
- Network first, apply second
- Target Q1 2026 positions, not just immediate openings
- Use every tool available to multiply your efforts
Companies are still hiring. If the labor market picks up in 2025, then the share of job postings requiring a college degree or particular years of experience could begin falling again as employers compete for workers.
Start Today: Your October Rescue Plan
- Stop applying with generic resumes
- Stop skipping cover letters
- Stop waiting for perfect positions to appear
- Start networking like your career depends on it
- Start tailoring every single application
- Start using AI tools to multiply your efforts
October 2025 might be challenging, but job seekers who adapt their strategy are still landing interviews. The question is: Will you keep doing what isn't working, or will you adapt?
Ready to fix your October job search? Use Uptra's free keyword generator to optimize your resume for October's competitive market. Because in this market, close enough isn't good enough.