The job market is becoming more competitive and harder for job seekers than it has been in years due to low job growth and a "hiring recession," according to data from Greenhouse. The U.S. experienced almost no job growth in 2025, adding just 116,000 jobs in that year compared to 1.46 million in 2024. As a result, some job seekers are outsourcing their search to outsource the search. In reverse recruiting, job seekers pay recruiters to help them land a job, applying on candidates' behalf and negotiating offers. The model may reveal deeper shifts in the labor market, with some experts suggesting it is a "low hire, low fire" job market. Some reverse recruiting companies charge a flat fee based on how many applications they'll send out for a candidate, while others charge monthly through the hiring process. One company charges a $1,500 monthly fee and then pays 10% of the candidate's first year's base salary.