Consumers surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in March put a 44% probability on U.S. 4unemployment climbing higher within the next year. That's the highest level since April 2020, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it's another recent reading that points to consumer 5pessimism amid 6economic confusion.

"Uncertainty is always going to make it difficult to even 7digest information that you do have. And there is a lot of uncertainty around the economic situation right now."

Allison Shrivastava, the economist with the Indeed Hiring Lab, says the uncertainty impacts businesses, too. Companies may not lay workers off but may 8hesitate to fill openings—potentially making the 9job hunt more challenging.

Certain 10sectors, though, are driving forward. Among them, Shrivastava says healthcare, legal and production and manufacturing.

"There are some 11bright spots in the economy, but things are a little bit on hold, and it's a little bit 12shaky when things are 13on hold, so planning for the future is difficult."

And for 14soon-to-be grads, Shrivastava sees 15entry-level opportunities in in-person sectors like pharmacy, food services, and home health care.

"That may not be a long-term goal for a lot of graduates. It does allow you to kind of get some experience on your resume until you can kind of figure out what your next steps are."