Job Hugging in 2025: Why Candidates Are Holding Tight to Their Roles
Introduction
The employment market has undergone dramatic shifts in recent years. From the Great Resignation to waves of layoffs, economic uncertainty has left its mark. Now, in 2025, a new trend has emerged: job hugging. This describes the decision by many professionals to stay in their current roles rather than take risks in a volatile environment. The trend is evident on both sides of the border, in the United States and in Canada, and it has important consequences for candidates and employers alike.
Why Candidates Are Staying Put
One of the clearest signs of job hugging is the decline in voluntary job exits. In the United States, the quits rate was just 2 percent in mid-2025, the lowest level in a decade outside the pandemic (1). Job openings have also declined, with July figures showing only 7.2 million vacancies compared to a peak of over 12 million in 2022 (1). This tighter market leaves many employees questioning whether moving is worth the risk.
In Canada, the picture is similar. The unemployment rate rose to around 7 percent in mid-2025 compared to 5.2 percent in 2023, while job vacancies fell by 18 percent year-over-year in the first quarter. The unemployment-to-vacancy ratio increased to 2.9 from 2.0 a year earlier, signalling heightened competition for available roles (2). Even though employment saw brief growth of 83,000 jobs in June, July reversed with a loss of 41,000, highlighting the volatility (3). For younger workers in particular, unemployment is now at its highest level since 2010 (3).
This caution is reinforced by wage trends. In the United States, job switchers are still seeing better pay increases than those who stay put, averaging 7.1 percent compared with 4.4 percent. However, the gap has narrowed considerably since the days of the Great Resignation (1). In Canada, nominal wages are rising 4.3 percent with real wages up 1.9 percent, modest growth when set against inflationary pressures (2).
The Impact on Career Growth
While job hugging provides short-term stability, it can come at the cost of long-term progress. Candidates who remain in their current positions too long risk slower salary growth, fewer promotions, and limited exposure to new challenges (4). Career momentum can stall, leaving professionals vulnerable once the market improves.
This duality: between the security of staying and the potential of moving: is what makes today’s labour market so complex. Candidates are aware of the risks of stagnation but often hesitate to act without compelling reasons.
For industries such as mining, oil and gas, and natural resources, the implications of job hugging are particularly significant. These sectors often operate in remote or specialised environments where talent pools are already narrow. When professionals hesitate to move, projects face delays and leadership pipelines tighten. The same trend is visible in technical areas such as IT and AI within mining, where adoption of tools like automation and digital twins depends on attracting scarce specialists who are also opting for stability.
Why This Matters for Employers
From the employer perspective, job hugging means that fewer candidates are applying for new roles. Companies cannot rely on job postings alone to attract high performers. The best people are not looking; they are weighing whether stability outweighs the promise of something new.
This creates a paradox. The talent exists, but it must be approached differently. Employers in mining, oil and gas, and natural resources face this challenge most acutely, where critical minerals projects, technological adoption, and workforce planning must continue regardless of broader economic hesitation.
The Role of Headhunting in a Job Hugging Market
In this environment, executive search and headhunting are more important than ever. For candidates, they provide reassurance and clarity in evaluating whether a move is truly worth it. For employers, they are the only way to access top talent who would otherwise remain hidden.
Specialist recruitment partners can:
Identify individuals with the precise technical and leadership skills required.
Engage candidates who are not applying elsewhere by presenting opportunities confidentially.
Build trust by explaining the long-term career benefits that outweigh short-term caution.
Help employers navigate salary expectations, counteroffers, and the realities of a hesitant candidate market.
At Intelligenciia, we see this firsthand. The strongest candidates in mining, energy, and natural resources are rarely applying for jobs; they are open to conversations if the approach is targeted, credible, and aligned with their goals. This is equally true for IT and AI specialists, where the demand for skills in areas such as digital twins, automation, and advanced analytics is accelerating.
Conclusion
Job hugging is reshaping the employment market in 2025. Professionals are cautious, prioritising stability over change, and this has significant implications for both candidates and employers. While staying put can feel safe, it also carries the risk of stagnation. The most effective way to balance these competing pressures is through thoughtful, proactive career planning, and for employers, through working with retained search partners who can unlock conversations with candidates who would otherwise stay silent.
References
‘Job-hugging’ in this economy? Here’s how it could cost you, MarketWatch; Job quits rate, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Job openings fall in July, Associated Press; Job openings data, Axios.
Employment Outlook 2025: Canada Country Note, OECD; Job vacancies in Canada down 18 percent year-over-year in Q1 2025, Statistics Canada.
Canada Employment Change June 2025, Trading Economics; Labour Force Survey May 2025: Canada’s job market remains surprisingly resilient, Business Data Lab; Canada Employment July 2025, Desjardins; Canadian Employment Market Update July 2025, TD Economics.
Are You a Job Hugger? How Fear of the Labour Market Is Stopping Many from Moving Forward, Investopedia; Job Hugging: How to Spot It and Guide It Toward Growth, Azura Magazine.