Q1 Labor Market Watch with Peter Carr

A quarterly look at what the labor market is telling talent leaders in 2026.

At their core, labor market reports are about more than data points. They reveal how employers are hiring, how workers are responding, and what that means for the broader talent strategy conversation. That perspective is exactly what drives Labor Market Watch, a new quarterly video series from Shaker Recruitment Marketing hosted by Peter Carr, VP of Client Services.

Labor Market Watch is designed to help talent leaders make sense of the labor market without the jargon, the noise, or the overcomplication. Each quarter, Peter will break down the biggest trends shaping hiring, compensation, labor supply, and workforce movement, translating the numbers into practical insight for recruiters, HR teams, and business leaders.

The first episode focuses on Q1 2026, a quarter marked by sharp swings in job growth, a steady unemployment rate, and a labor market that continues to send mixed signals. While hiring improved overall, the quarter also reflected persistent caution: labor force participation declined, job openings remained subdued, and layoffs stayed historically low. Together, these indicators point to a market that is cooling, but not collapsing.

This series matters because of what it represents: a commitment to making complex labor data more accessible, more relevant, and more useful for the people making hiring decisions every day.

Peter genuinely follows the jobs report and brings both expertise and personality to the conversation. Peter has been sharing his insights internally for years, and he is the right voice to help make the labor market feel less abstract and more actionable for our people, clients, and partners.

As Peter says, “Labor on Y’all.” We’ll see you next quarter for the Q2 2026 Labor Market Watch!