White-Collar Recession: It's Hard to Find a High-Salary Job

The job market appears paradoxical with high unemployment rates and economic growth, yet white-collar professionals are struggling to find jobs. Vanguard's analysis reveals a hiring slowdown for high earners, contrasting with robust hiring for lower-wage workers. This disparity suggests a cautious corporate approach to budgeting, possibly in anticipation of economic downturns.

Despite a generally strong job market, white-collar workers face a "trapped in place" scenario, unable to leave unsatisfactory jobs due to limited opportunities. This situation, termed "vibecession," reflects a unique economic condition where traditional indicators don't align with the lived experiences of professionals, potentially leading to increased dissatisfaction and morale issues in the future.