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Job postings increased in May, but actual hires cooled.

Could the latest jobs report be a breath of fresh air for job seekers?

U.S. employers posted 7.8 million job openings in May, up from 7.4 million in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the highest since November 2024, when hiring increased following the presidential election.

Gains in job openings were driven by two main sectors: accommodation and food services and finance and insurance, which added 314,000 and 91,000 postings respectively. Seasonal hiring likely boosted hospitality listings, with finance benefitting from a potential easing of federal regulations.

While uncertainty over tariffs has been the main driver of an overall hiring slowdown in 2025, May’s numbers show a new way in which employers are thinking about their workforces. “Without a clear picture of what may happen if and when the current tariff pause ends, employers may just be making decisions based on what they see today rather than trying to anticipate what happens tomorrow,” Indeed economist Allison Shrivastava wrote in an analysis published Tuesday morning.

But as usual, it’s not all good news. Hiring fell to 5.5 million in May, down from 5.6 million in April, which means that employers are still being cautious about bringing on new people full-time.

The full employment picture for June won’t come until Thursday, when the Department of Labor releases its monthly jobs report.

Until then, happy reading, and hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend!

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