In a recent LinkedIn post, Hung Lee explores significant trends that shaped the recruiting landscape in 2025, offering a retrospective analysis of key events and technological shifts. Lee, known for his insights into the recruitment and HR tech space, dissects several pivotal developments, from the paradoxical “jobless boom” to major upheavals in visa sponsorship and the decline of established job boards.
The Paradoxical “Jobless Boom”
One of the most striking observations from Hung Lee concerns the disconnect between corporate financial performance and job creation. He highlights a phenomenon in 2025 where record corporate valuations appeared to have an inverse relationship with the number of jobs being generated. Lee points out the unusual market reaction to layoffs:
The Stock Market is not the Economy, is a reality which finally hit hard in 2025, as record performance in corporate valuations seemingly had an inverse relationship with the number of jobs created. We could predict individual stock price would spike when the company announced layoffs – something which we hadn’t seen before, but ultimately, makes a lot of sense…
As Lee explains, this trend suggests a market dynamic where cost-cutting measures, like layoffs, were being rewarded by investors, even as the broader economy struggled to create new employment opportunities. This marks a significant departure from previous economic cycles, as Hung Lee notes.
Shifts in H-1B Visa Policies and Their Impact
Hung Lee also addresses the substantial implications of new H-1B visa fee structures. He details how a sudden announcement of prohibitive fees for sponsoring or renewing H-1B visas created immediate precarity for hundreds of thousands of workers, particularly within the tech sector.
700,000 workers on H-1B visas in the US, with 60% in the tech sector, suddenly found themselves in precarity with the overnight announcement of the prohibitive fee employers would have to pay to sponsor or renew(?) a H-1B Visa. Massive shift with immediate implications for recruitment.
According to Lee, this policy change represented a massive shift with direct and immediate consequences for recruitment strategies and the availability of skilled talent in the US, especially in technology roles.
The Decline of Online Job Board Giants
The post reflects on the end of an era for once-dominant online recruitment platforms. Hung Lee expresses a sense of nostalgia and acknowledges the collapse of CareerBuilder and Monster, giants that previously defined the online job search space.
Sad end to two once dominant giants of the online jobs space. I remember using Monster in the early naughties and it quickly became my go-to resource for finding candidates. Anyone else a forever fan of Monster?
As Lee reminisces, these platforms were once essential tools for recruiters. Their downfall signifies a broader evolution in how companies and candidates connect, likely influenced by newer technologies and shifting user behaviors.
Emergence of New Technologies and Strategies
Beyond the major shifts, Hung Lee also touches upon emerging trends. He points to the significant rise of “Mercor,” a recruitment technology platform whose importance may not be immediately obvious. Lee also introduces the concept of “GEO – NEW SEO?”, suggesting that while good SEO is related to good GEO (Geographic Optimization), there might be a need for more nuanced approaches, especially considering the volatility of generated versus retrieved information.
Hung Lee concludes by inviting discussion on these points, underscoring his role as an analyst observing and interpreting the dynamic changes within the recruiting industry. His insights provide a valuable snapshot of the challenges and transformations experienced in 2025.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Hung Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on December 15, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →