Election Season and Your Job Search: What to Watch For

Election season can affect how fast employers hire, what jobs pay, and which jobs open up. None of it depends on who wins. It's about uncertainty, ballot measures and seasonal work. Here's what to watch for.

Some employers slow hiring before big elections

When businesses don't know what rules, taxes or spending will look like next year, some wait before hiring. A Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond summary of the research found that policy uncertainty rises in the run-up to an election and stays elevated for a couple of months after. The Federal Reserve Board notes firms facing that uncertainty tend to postpone long-term investment and hiring.

For hourly jobs, the effect is usually smaller. Retail, food service, warehouse and cleaning jobs have high turnover and need to fill shifts every week.

Don't pause your search

In a 2024 ZipRecruiter survey reported by CNBC, roughly 1 in 4 job seekers said they were postponing their search because of election uncertainty. If others pause, there are fewer applicants for the jobs still open.

Election season also overlaps with holiday hiring. Retail, warehouse and delivery employers staff up every fall.

Elections create short-term jobs

Every election needs people to run it. County and city election offices hire temporary workers to process ballots, help voters and staff polling places. Check your county election office's website a few months before each election.

Ballot measures can change your pay

Voters decide more than candidates. In many states and cities, voters have approved minimum wage increases and other worker rules through ballot measures. Before an election, read what's on your ballot that could affect pay, sick leave or scheduling where you work.

Politics at work

Whether your employer can act on your political views depends on your state. Some states protect employees' political activity; others don't. During interviews, you don't need to share your political views. If politics comes up, keep it short and steer back to the job.

Quick checklist

• Keep applying. Don't wait for the election.
• Focus on high-turnover jobs if hiring feels slow.
• Watch for holiday hiring in retail, warehouse and delivery.
• Check your county election office for temporary paid work.
• Read your ballot for measures that affect wages or work rules.