Out of Work, Out of Luck: Job Seekers Face Brutal Summer Slump

Job seekers are facing a tough summer, especially those out of work for months. New data shows over 1.8 million Americans have been unemployed for at least 27 weeks—the highest level since 2017, excluding the pandemic. Despite a low official unemployment rate, job growth has stalled, AI is replacing entry-level roles, and mid- to late-career professionals are struggling to re-enter the workforce. From selling homes to draining savings, many are taking desperate steps just to stay afloat, as confidence among job seekers drops to its lowest point in years.