When Nate embarked on his job search earlier this summer, he anticipated the process would be challenging. Despite his extensive network and active job-seeking efforts, he knew finding a mid-to-senior level marketing position in the e-commerce sector would not be straightforward.
With over a decade of experience in both agency and in-house roles within the industry, Nate began his search knowing that even with his qualifications, the journey could be long and arduous.
Nate now dedicates four to five hours daily to networking and job hunting, encountering some of the common frustrations voiced by others on LinkedIn.
Job Market Challenges in E-Commerce Amid White-Collar Recession
He has experienced automatic rejection emails arriving at odd hours, positions advertised only as a formality with internal promotions taking precedence, and roles that remain unfilled for extended periods, leading him to question whether these positions were genuinely open to external candidates.
These challenges are not confined to the e-commerce sector alone. The U.S. job market is currently facing what some are calling a “white-collar recession,” a result of companies adjusting after the overhiring that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The layoffs tracker Layoff.AI reports that tech companies have laid off over 130,000 employees in 2024, adding to the more than 260,000 laid off the previous year, which includes substantial cuts by major e-commerce players like Amazon.
The hiring landscape for high-income earners is particularly dire. Vanguard’s estimates reveal that the hiring rate for those earning above $96,000 annually is the lowest it has been since 2014, excluding the year 2020. According to Aki Ito from Business Insider, securing a six-figure salary position is exceptionally challenging in the current market conditions.
Liam, another industry professional, describes the current job market as the most difficult and frustrating he has ever encountered. Modern Retail spoke with ten individuals in the industry, most of whom are actively job hunting or have recently secured new positions. To discuss their experiences candidly, most were granted anonymity, and their names were changed.
