Small Businesses Want to Hire Again. There's Just One Problem: Finding Workers

By Michael Stephenson, President and CEO of StrikeForce Staffing

The latest labor-market signals contain an interesting contradiction. U.S. payrolls unexpectedly declined in July, yet small businesses are becoming considerably more optimistic about hiring.

New National Federation of Independent Business data reported by Reuters show that 20 percent of small-business owners plan to create jobs over the next three months, the highest share since October 2022. But 36 percent already report positions they cannot fill, the highest reading since June 2025.

That matters because small businesses can act as an early signal for the broader hiring market. If demand improves while the available labor pool remains constrained, employers could quickly move from today's relatively cautious environment back into competition for workers.

And the problem isn't confined to highly specialized positions. Business owners reported difficulty finding both skilled and unskilled labor, while 27% named labor quality or availability as their single biggest business problem.

Why it matters: A slow national labor market does not necessarily mean employers will have an easy time hiring. Businesses that wait for unmistakable signs of a hiring recovery may find that the best workers are already being recruited.

Hiring signal: Hiring intentions are strengthening faster than labor availability.

CTA: Identify the three positions your organization would need first if business accelerated this fall. Are you already building candidate pipelines for them, or would recruiting begin only after the requisition opens? Let StrikeForce help.

The Unemployment Rate Looks Healthy. Hiring Tells a Different Story.

By Michael Stephenson, President and CEO of StrikeForce Staffing

The latest U.S. labor data creates an unusual picture: unemployment remains relatively low even as hiring momentum weakens.

Reuters reported recently that the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, its lowest level in more than a year. Ordinarily, that would signal a strong labor market. But July also produced a surprise decline in jobs, while labor-force participation has weakened. Reuters notes that economists are increasingly questioning whether low unemployment reflects strong demand or simply fewer available workers.

That's an important distinction for employers.

A softer economy does not automatically mean talent has suddenly become plentiful. If labor-force participation shrinks, companies can experience weak overall hiring and still struggle to recruit workers for particular occupations.

The result is a strange market: employers are cautious, candidates feel opportunities are scarce, yet specialized talent can remain difficult to find.

Why This Matters

Hiring managers shouldn't interpret a weak jobs report as permission to become complacent about recruiting.

The national market can cool while your particular labor market—maintenance technicians, engineers, healthcare workers, skilled trades or experienced managers—remains tight.

Hiring Signal

Slower hiring does not necessarily mean easier hiring.

CTA

Instead of asking, "Is the labor market tight?" ask:

"How tight is the market for the five positions that matter most to our business?" Let StrikeForce help you answer that question.

That's the labor-market intelligence that should shape your recruiting strategy.

Your Next Job Could Last Longer Than You Think. Choose It Accordingly.

During the Great Resignation, workers could take a new position knowing that another opportunity might be available relatively quickly if things didn't work out.

Today's labor market requires a different calculation.

With both hiring and quitting subdued, changing jobs can carry more risk. Business Insider's latest career analysis argues that workers should increasingly evaluate potential employers based not only on salary but on factors including promotion opportunities, retention and long-term career development. Its analysis with the Burning Glass Institute and Schultz Family Foundation examined career outcomes from roughly 12 million workers across 1,750 companies.

That's an important mindset shift.

A $10,000 raise can look attractive today. But an organization offering stronger management, better training and clearer promotion pathways may create substantially more value over three or five years.

In a low-churn labor market, candidates should evaluate jobs almost like investments.

Why This Matters

The question shouldn't simply be:

"How much will they pay me?"

It should also be:

"What will working here make me worth three years from now?"

The best opportunity may be the employer that increases your future market value—not necessarily the one offering the largest immediate paycheck.

Career Signal

Career durability is becoming more important as worker mobility slows.

CTA

Before accepting your next offer, score the opportunity from 1–5 on five dimensions:

Compensation · Manager · Skill Development · Promotion Potential · Company Stability

If salary is the only category scoring a five, think carefully before signing. Give StrikeForce a call and we’ll help with your scoring.

AI Is Creating a New Kind of Job: The Employee Who Can Bridge Technology and the Business

One of the more interesting AI hiring developments isn't another new AI engineer position.

It's the rapid growth of jobs requiring people who can translate sophisticated technology into actual business results.

A prime example is the forward-deployed engineer. These professionals combine elements of software engineering, consulting and product development, working directly with customers to turn AI technology into practical solutions.

And demand is exploding.

Data show postings for forward-deployed engineers were up more than 5,000% year over year as of April 2026. AI companies are expanding these teams, while consulting firms are developing similar combinations of technical and client-facing talent.

The larger hiring lesson extends well beyond this particular job title.

Companies increasingly need employees who can stand between two worlds: people who understand technology and understand customers, operations, workflows and business problems.

Why This Matters

The AI talent race may eventually become less about hiring the person who knows the most sophisticated technology and more about hiring the person who can make that technology useful.

That changes what employers should look for.

Technical expertise matters. But so do communication, business judgment, customer understanding and problem-solving.

Hiring Signal

Hybrid technical-business talent is becoming increasingly valuable.

CTA

When evaluating AI-related talent, add one question:

"Tell me about a business problem you could solve with AI—not an AI tool you know how to use." Let StrikeForce help to answer the question.

The difference between those answers can reveal whether you're hiring technical knowledge or business impact.

Your Next Promotion May Depend More on Visibility Than Ability

Many professionals assume that excellent work naturally leads to career advancement. In reality, performance and visibility often go hand in hand.

Managers cannot recognize contributions they don't see.

Professionals who regularly communicate project outcomes, volunteer for cross-functional initiatives, mentor colleagues, or present ideas are often perceived as stronger leaders—not because they work harder, but because their impact is more visible.

This doesn't mean self-promotion or taking credit for others' work. It means ensuring that the value you create is understood by the people making decisions about promotions, raises, and leadership opportunities.

Why This Matters

Career growth depends on more than technical expertise.

Employees who combine strong performance with clear communication often create more opportunities for advancement than equally capable peers who remain behind the scenes.

Career Signal

Visibility is becoming a career accelerator.

CTA

Over the next month:

• Share one project update with leadership.

• Volunteer for a cross-functional initiative.

• Present a solution during a team meeting.

• Mentor a newer employee.

• Update your LinkedIn profile with a recent accomplishment.

Visibility isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about making sure your work speaks where decisions are made. StrikeForce can help you achieve this.

The Most Valuable AI Skill Isn't Writing Better Prompts: It's Asking Better Questions

As AI tools become commonplace, the competitive advantage is shifting away from mastering prompts and toward framing better business questions.

Whether you're using AI to analyze data, generate content, summarize reports, or brainstorm solutions, the quality of the output depends largely on the quality of the problem you're trying to solve.

Leading organizations are encouraging employees to think like consultants:

• What is the business problem?

• What information is missing?

• What assumptions should be challenged?

• How should AI's recommendations be validated?

Employees who can clearly define problems are often getting more value from AI than those who simply know how to use the software.

Why This Matters

AI can accelerate work, but it cannot replace critical thinking.

Organizations that teach employees how to think with AI—not just use AI—are more likely to see meaningful productivity gains.

Hiring Signal

Problem-solving is becoming the new AI competency.

CTA

Choose one recurring business challenge this week and ask:

"How could AI help us understand or solve this problem faster?"

Start with the problem, not the technology, let StrikeForce show you how. 

The Best Job Descriptions Sell the Opportunity, Not Just the Job

By Michael Stephenson, President and CEO of StrikeForce Staffing

Many employers spend weeks refining interview questions and sourcing strategies but overlook the first thing candidates actually see: the job description.

In today's market, a job posting is more than a list of responsibilities, it's a marketing document. Candidates increasingly want to know why they should work for your organization, not just what they'll be expected to do.

The strongest job descriptions answer questions like:

• What impact will this role have?

• What does success look like in the first year?

• What opportunities exist for growth?

• Why is this position open?

• What makes your organization different?

Employers that focus solely on qualifications often discourage strong candidates who may meet most, but not all, of the listed requirements.

Why This Matters

A poorly written job description can reduce both the quantity and quality of applicants before recruiting even begins.

Organizations that communicate purpose, growth, and culture tend to attract more engaged candidates.

Hiring Signal

Candidate experience begins with the job posting.

CTA

Review your five most recent job descriptions and ask:

"Would I be excited to apply if I were reading this for the first time?"

If the answer is no, it may be time for a rewrite.

Connect with StrikeForce to help you make your job descriptions stand out. 

From Application to Handshake: How to Manage Interview Anxiety at Every Stage

Interview anxiety is one of the few challenges every job seeker experiences, whether it's their first interview or their fiftieth. A racing heart, sweaty palms, and self-doubt are normal responses to high-stakes situations. The goal isn't to eliminate those feelings—it's to keep them from controlling your performance.

The strongest candidates aren't always the least nervous. They're often the ones who have learned to prepare for the emotional side of interviewing as carefully as they prepare their answers.

Before the Interview

Most anxiety comes from uncertainty. Reduce the unknowns before you ever walk into the room.

• Research the company, its products, and recent news.

• Read the job description several times.

• Prepare five or six stories that demonstrate your accomplishments.

• Practice answering questions aloud—not just in your head.

• Confirm the interview time, location, or video link the day before.

Preparation builds confidence because it gives your brain evidence that you're ready.

The Night Before

Avoid the temptation to cram.

Instead:

• Lay out your clothes.

• Print extra copies of your résumé.

• Charge your laptop or phone.

• Plan your route.

• Go to bed early.

Your goal is to remove as many morning decisions as possible.

Right Before the Interview

Arrive 10–15 minutes early.

If your nerves spike, don't fight them.

Instead:

• Take slow, deep breaths.

• Relax your shoulders.

• Remind yourself:

"This interview is a conversation, not an interrogation."

Remember that the employer already believes you might be qualified—they invited you for a reason.

During the Interview

You do not need perfect answers.

If you need a moment to think, it's perfectly acceptable to say:

"That's a great question. Let me think about that for a moment."

Speak a little slower than feels natural.

Smile.

Listen carefully.

If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification.

Interviewers are evaluating how you communicate just as much as what you know.

If You Make a Mistake

Everyone says something they wish they could take back.

Don't dwell on it.

One imperfect answer rarely determines the outcome of an interview.

Move confidently to the next question.

Interviewers remember your overall professionalism far more than one awkward moment.

After the Interview

Many candidates replay every answer in their minds.

Instead:

• Write down what went well.

• Note one or two things to improve.

• Send a thoughtful thank-you email within 24 hours.

• Then let it go.

Continuing to analyze every response won't change the interview, but it can increase unnecessary stress before the next opportunity.

Why This Matters

Confidence isn't the absence of nervousness.

It's trusting your preparation enough to perform despite it.

The best interviewers understand that candidates are human. They're looking for someone who can communicate clearly, think thoughtfully, and demonstrate genuine interest—not someone who delivers a flawless script.

Career Signal

The candidates who manage their nerves often outperform candidates with stronger résumés but weaker composure.

CTA

Before your next interview, prepare one thing beyond your résumé:

A simple routine.

Whether it's a short walk, deep breathing, prayer, reviewing your accomplishments, or listening to calming music, create a pre-interview ritual you can repeat every time.

Consistency reduces anxiety, and confidence grows with repetition.

Let StrikeForce help you prepare for your next job.