Written by Creditvana Editorial Team
Imagine playing musical chairs—with 100 players and only 12 chairs.
That’s what today’s job market feels like, according to Mandi Woodruff-Santos, career coach and host of the Brown Ambition podcast.
“There’s not a lot of meat on the bone,” she says.
Welcome to the era of “job hugging”—a term coined by Korn Ferry that’s now trending as workers cling tightly to the jobs they have, even if they want more money, more growth, or a complete career pivot. It’s a far cry from the “Great Resignation” energy of recent years.
The Job Market Has Slowed—and So Have Career Moves
The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that job growth is slowing:
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Job openings (July): 7.2 million
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New hires: 5.3 million
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People quitting jobs: 3.2 million
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Jobs added in August: Just 22,000 (down from 79,000 in July)
In this economic climate, many companies are hitting the brakes on hiring. Elizabeth Renter, a senior economist, explains it like this:
“Employers are hesitant to invest in new hires without confidence in the near-term economy. Between tariffs, interest rates, and unpredictable demand, it’s hard to take the leap.”
So workers are staying put—not necessarily out of satisfaction, but out of strategy.
Fear Is a Factor
According to Jesse Wideman, a Charlotte-based certified financial planner at Zenith Wealth Partners, fear of job loss is shifting behaviors. He’s seen clients, especially in tech, move away from job hopping.
“A few years ago, switching jobs meant bigger paychecks. Now, many are afraid of being unemployed for months—or worse, not finding anything at all,” he says.
After seeing friends or experiencing layoffs themselves, workers are thinking long-term: Will I have enough savings if this job lets me go?
And that fear is creating a culture of caution.
Why Staying Put Can Be Smart
Job hugging isn’t always a bad move—especially if your job provides healthcare, a retirement match, or other financial stability.
“You know what your income looks like, your 401(k) contributions, and maybe even your pension,” Wideman says. “That predictability matters when you’re building a financial plan.”
Mandi Woodruff-Santos—dubbed “The Queen of Quitting” for coaching women of color through career transitions—acknowledges that some jobs do offer value that’s hard to walk away from. If you’re supporting a family or relying on employer-sponsored health insurance, the safer path can be the smarter one.
But You Still Need a Plan B
Wideman is seeing more clients prioritize emergency funds—beyond the traditional 3–6 months of expenses. Many now aim for 6+ months, anticipating longer stretches between jobs.
That extra buffer often goes into high-yield savings accounts, which provide liquidity and earn interest.
Yes, building your emergency fund might delay other goals—like buying a home, saving for a wedding, or investing more. But that’s a trade-off many are willing to make in today’s unpredictable economy.
When Opportunity Knocks, Should You Answer?
Woodruff-Santos has a powerful reminder: Comfort can be a trap.
“If the job isn’t growing with you, what exactly are you hugging? It’s not hugging you back,” she says.
What if taking the risk on a new role means doubling your savings, paying off debt faster, or hitting your retirement goals earlier?
Many workers—especially women and people of color—have long known the importance of not relying on just onesource of income. Woodruff-Santos encourages her clients to stay ready:
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Keep your resume updated
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Stay active in your network
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Explore side hustles or passive income opportunities
“If you’re job hugging naively, that’s the real risk,” she says.
“Multiple income streams are always the move.”
Final Thoughts from Creditvana
Job hugging might be a smart financial decision for now—but don’t let comfort turn into complacency. Build your safety net, stay aware of your market value, and keep your long-term goals in focus. If a better opportunity comes along, make sure you’re ready to evaluate it with clear eyes and a solid financial plan.
In this economy, the safest move is to stay ready—not just stay put.
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