Local experts share advice on how to find a job in today's economy

When Albert Einstein graduated from the Zurich Polytechnic Institute in 1901, jobs were so scarce that his father implored professors to hire him as an assistant. Their refusal left him, despite his revolutionary ideas, to seek work as a patent clerk.

Today’s unemployed and underemployed might empathize with the 1921 Nobel laureate in physics. “Hiring has slowed from the immediate post-pandemic surge,” said Barbara Daianu, owner of Career Concept, a comprehensive staffing agency in Canton.

The labor pool’s enlargement has intensified competition. “The main change is higher hiring standards,” she said. “Employers want reliable, relevant skills, and candidates who can contribute quickly. Those without current skills, certifications, flexibility, or who face employment barriers may experience more difficulty.”

Criminality, including illegal drug use, can be a disqualification, she noted, but not age. Companies with older equipment often prize seasoned candidates with experience that younger applicants may lack.

Referencing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kent State University Senior Director of Career Exploration and Development Dr. Justin Edwards noted that college graduates’ unemployment rose nationwide from 4.1 percent in December 2024 to 5.7 percent in December 2025. The job platform Handshake’s openings fell 10 percent between fall 2024 and fall 2025. Consequently, B.A. and B.S. holders in Stark County, including Hartville, face stiffer competition and longer job searches.

Predictions of a white-collar “apocalypse” have circulated, though artificial intelligence has not diminished Stark County demand for technical and manual labor, Daianu said. She cautioned that AI can generate resumes and cover letters that outstrip a candidate’s actual articulateness, creating problems if an interview reveals the discrepancy.

Still, despair is unwarranted. Citing the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Edwards anticipates 1.6 percent more jobs for U.S. graduates in 2026 than in 2025. Local growth is uncertain, though Daianu, with 37 years of experience in employment services, identified strong demand “in manufacturing, skilled trades, logistics, healthcare and technical roles.” Welding remains a leading opening.

Edwards said 55 percent of county jobs are in healthcare, manufacturing, retail and education. Opportunities also exist in information technology and transportation. Daianu advises job seekers to continually build skills.

Because skills are now as important as degrees, Edwards cautioned students against waiting until senior year to explore careers or evaluate interests and aptitudes. Kent State Stark and other regional campuses assign career advisers to all students, including those still exploring options.

Emphasizing career readiness and flexibility, Edwards said universities aim to give students “a bigger toolbox of skills” and broader preparation.

Breadth matters because long-term tenure in a single job is less common. Today’s workers may change jobs 10 or 11 times before leaving the workforce.

Mobility can create opportunity. “Expanding a search to nearby counties can increase options, wages and advancement potential,” Daianu said. Edwards added that commuting an additional 30 minutes can significantly widen prospects.

Daianu recommends “strategic flexibility, whether in geography, industry, shift availability or remote work.”

Networking also is critical. “Relationships open doors,” Edwards said. “Talk with people early and often. Connect with professors and alumni early in college.”

Daianu said networking “increases visibility, builds credibility, and often leads to referrals, which significantly improve the chances of securing an interview.”

Even without a direct contact, Edwards recommends researching potential mentors online and referencing them in a cover letter to demonstrate interest. Career services offices can assist with resumes and cover letters. “Your resume tells your unique story,” Edwards said, noting that human resources professionals may spend only 30-60 seconds reviewing each one.

Edwards described networking as an “impact multiplier,” citing student teaching, typically a 16-week internship, as an example of relationship-building that can lead to employment.

Whatever path applicants take in Hartville and beyond, “success in today’s market comes down to persistence, adaptability, and a strong work ethic,” Daianu said.