Jobs are dead
The new market is here and how to generate new income.
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Jobs are dead (2025 edition)
Friends,
You need a wake-up call, and this is it.
The traditional 9-to-5 job that was once seen as the epitome of success? It's no longer a guarantee of stability or growth. I had my wake-up call a few years ago. I was working at a decent job, not super great, but ik many people would have envied. It was the type of role that looked great on paper, but it drained me every day. The problem wasn’t that I was working hard, it was that I wasn’t growing! I was simply waiting for the next promotion, the next raise, the next "milestone" in the corporate world. I eventually realized that if I continued down this path, I would simply become another cog in a machine.
I needed to come out of this loop & for that, I had to work on building a good portfolio. But how? Well, we’ll see.
To know more about this problem, I asked my LinkedIn connections if they’re happy with what they are currently doing & here’s what the response looks like -
What you can take away today:
Why are jobs dead & relying on them won’t help?
The reality for graduates and job seekers in 2025.
What to do if not a job?
How to have a side income?
How to start learning & what’s next?
Top skills to learn in 2025 & how
The survey clearly shows how people are disengaged from their jobs. People are showing up every day, clocking in and out, but not truly invested in what they do. And it's not just about dissatisfaction but more about missed opportunities.
According to McKinsey's 2024 report, 45% of the global workforce is now involved in freelance or gig work. And then there’s the rapid rise of entrepreneurship. Over 4.4 million new businesses were launched in the U.S. alone in 2022 (the highest rate of business creation in nearly two decades). In fact, 70% of entrepreneurs report that they are more satisfied with their work-life balance than those working traditional jobs.
Jobs, as we knew them, are becoming a thing of the past. And it's not the job market’s fault for not offering opportunities but the fact that the world of work has changed, and the old rules no longer apply.
But once you let go of the idea that a job is the only path to success, you'll realize the world is full of opportunities.
Let’s dive deeper ⬇️
***
Why are jobs dead (and you shouldn’t be relying on them in 2025).
I did some research to understand the fact why jobs are fading away.
Let's break it down from the company’s perspective. The rise of the gig economy, AI, automation, and shifting economic realities are all reshaping how companies view employment. Traditional full-time roles are quickly being replaced by freelancers, contractors, and independent workers. Add to that the ongoing global economic uncertainty, and you have a recipe for the death of the traditional job.
The rise of the gig economy: The gig economy is booming. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer have made it easier than ever for companies to find skilled workers on demand. This has created a significant change in how companies hire. Why commit to full-time employment when they can access specialized skills on a per-project basis, cutting costs and increasing flexibility?
AI and automation: The rise of AI & the companies have started automating repetitive tasks. McKinsey predicts that 30% of the global workforce could be displaced by automation by 2030.
Companies prefer flexibility: Yes, contractors over full-time employees! For example, Uber and Airbnb operate entirely on a freelance-based model. These workers don't need benefits, and companies don’t have to worry about long-term commitments.
Shift toward skill-based hiring: 72% of companies are now hiring based on skills rather than formal educational background, according to LinkedIn's 2023 Workforce Report. This trend has accelerated with the rise of remote work, where businesses no longer need employees to be in a specific location to perform their duties
So, as the world continues to shift toward a more flexible, skill-driven, and technology-powered economy, it's time to rethink how you approach work. Let’s see how.
The harsh reality for graduates and job seekers
I was recently speaking with a recruiter from Cartier (jewelry & watches), one of the biggest brands here in France. I wanted to understand how they hire new interns/ job seekers. He mentioned that once they post a job opening, they receive over 1,000 applications within just a few hours. And the worst part is, they don't even have the time to go through all of them. The first few applications are usually enough to find the right candidate.
This means that if you're applying endlessly to openings, there’s a low chance your application will even be seen!
Applying for jobs today is becoming more of a gamble than ever before. Job boards & recruitment websites are flooded with positions that often lead nowhere. And even if someone manages to get through to the interview stage, they're often faced with the harsh reality of rejection (sometimes with little to no feedback) due to overwhelming competition or unclear hiring criteria.
According to NACE, 60% of new grads end up underemployed in their first year out of college. It's no wonder many are disillusioned by the job market, unsure of how to break out of this frustrating loop! It’s not a stretch to say that, after a while, it starts to take a toll on your mental well-being.
Employed but still struggling
Suppose you land a job you were working hard for, you’ll realize after some time that the struggle doesn’t end. 50% of workers in the U.S. reported feeling insecure about their jobs in 2023 (Statista). Many workers are being caught in mass layoffs or being let go due to company restructuring.
Important statistics and frameworks in 2025 to escape 9-5 or seek out a career: