The holiday job market in the United States is facing unprecedented challenges, with seasonal hiring expected to drop to its lowest level since the aftermath of the 2008 recession. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers are projected to hire between 265,000 and 365,000 seasonal workers this year, a significant decline from 442,000 in the previous year. This pullback reflects a cautious approach among businesses grappling with tariffs, inflation, and consumer uncertainty. Nicholas Strahl, a 41-year-old part-time retail sales associate in Indiana, exemplifies the struggles of job seekers. Despite applying to multiple retailers since October, he has yet to secure a seasonal position. ‘I’ve never seen the job market like this—it’s pretty crazy,’ he remarked. The labor market is described as ‘frozen with frostbite’ by Allison Shrivastava, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, as a larger pool of job seekers competes for fewer opportunities. Retail job openings in October were down 22% compared to last year, according to Revelio Labs. Major retailers like Target and Walmart have remained tight-lipped about their seasonal hiring plans, a departure from previous years. Meanwhile, smaller businesses, such as Hobby Works in Maryland, are scaling back hiring due to economic pressures and the recent government shutdown. For many Americans, the lack of seasonal work means cutting back on holiday spending and delaying essential expenses, further highlighting the economic strain faced by households across the country.