The tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Mexican steel and aluminum, automobiles manufactured outside the country, and recently on tomatoes harvested in Mexico, have placed the local labor market in a context of slowing employment and may affect strategic industries for job creation: manufacturing and agriculture. However, some sectors will maintain a strong supply of vacancies amid the uncertainty surrounding trade policies.
In this context, data from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) show that 34,179 new formal jobs were created in March 2025. With this figure, the first quarter of the year represents a cumulative job creation of 226,731, a figure 38,228 lower than the same period in 2024.
US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Mexican exports and accelerate the deportation of illegal immigrants will have an immediate impact on employment in our country.
Another statistic that shows a slowdown in job creation is that, in February of this year, 276,937 positions were eliminated, according to the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE).
However, according to recruitment specialists, there are a number of jobs that continue to have a high supply of vacancies, and this trend is not expected to change for those jobs.
These jobs will continue to be in high demand because they require skills that are difficult to automate and more resilient to external disruptions like tariffs, such as critical thinking, data analysis, leadership, technological adaptation, and creativity. This is in addition to the need for digital skills.
“When talking about resilience, it’s important to emphasize that it’s not a fad; it’s a strategic necessity, and these types of changes will force us to look beyond the obvious and anticipate what’s coming. So, these skills will continue to strengthen certain positions in the workforce, even with changes like tariffs,” emphasizes Jessica Cambray, a recruitment specialist.
Booming Jobs with or without Tariffs
- Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Cambray explains that tariffs mostly affect physical commerce and not digital commerce in the same way, so these sectors are likely to be among the least affected and most in-demand.
“Currently, Mexico is positioning itself as a technological hub in Latin America. Roles such as developers, cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and data analysts will continue to be in high demand and are even becoming profiles considered expensive,” she comments.
- Financial Services and Fintech
The specialist points out that despite the economic environment, technological solutions for payments, microcredit, and cryptocurrencies continue to grow significantly. In this regard, Finnovista estimates that fintech companies generate around 60,000 jobs in Mexico.
- Mental Health, Wellness, and Human Resources
Cambray points out that, in times of uncertainty, the companies that survive are those that genuinely invest in their staff, such as organizational psychologists, leadership coaches, diversity specialists, and talent retention experts.
“These are key positions for the style of organizations that are seeking the real and genuine well-being of their employees.”
- Infoproducts
The expert points out that the area of infoproducts (digital items sold online) is on the rise; learning in these segments is no longer a trend; rather, people have identified it as a survival strategy to access employment.
- Commercial strategy and supply chain consulting
Cambray shares that companies will need to redesign routers, negotiate new treaties, and reduce their dependence on the United States due to tariffs. Therefore, specialists in logistics, procurement, foreign trade, and the digital transformation of supply chains will be on the front lines to address Mexico’s challenge with the US.
On the other hand, Nelson Gómez, director of Indeed in Mexico, highlights that labor demand is currently changing due to the technological advances that are taking place.
“The jobs with the highest demand and salary increases in the last quarter in Mexico are in sectors such as accounting and finance, information technology, logistics, sales, marketing, and administration,” he notes.
Indeed lists the positions with the highest number of opportunities:
Sales Director
Regional Manager
Quality Manager – IT Security Analyst
Key Account Manager – Senior Account Manager
Tax Accountant – Accounting Coordinator
Supply Chain Manager
Pre-Accounting Engineer
On the other hand, Gómez explains that among the main challenges facing companies and job seekers is the growing disconnect between employers and candidates.
“An Indeed survey indicates that 31% of job seekers say the biggest challenge in finding quality positions is the lack of salary transparency, as well as long application processes and hiring times,” he indicates.
The expert adds that one of the most interesting findings they found is that 30% of job seekers find the requirements unrealistic for the position they are seeking.
“Employers should be more specific in their requirements and define the activities for each position. This way, it will be easier to find the ideal candidate for the position, and job seekers will appreciate the clarity to know what is expected or what they need to improve for those vacancies,” she comments.
Jobs at Greater Risk from Tariffs
For Jessica Cambray, many jobs in key industries could be at some risk due to US tariffs, such as those in manufacturing, foreign trade, and agriculture.
“If there are people who find themselves in this situation, the first thing I would say is not to take it personally, but rather to have a strategy. Tariffs are not a judgment on your professional worth; they are macroeconomic decisions beyond each individual’s control. What we can control is our ability to respond, and that starts with making a plan to avoid panicking,” she recommends.
In this sense, the specialist adds that some people who are at risk of job loss can identify transferable skills.
“For example, if they have worked in a manufacturing plant, in logistics operations, or in exports, they should ask themselves what skills they have developed there and what they can apply to another sector, such as quality control, team leadership, among others, in order to be able to apply,” he comments.
Shortage of Qualified Talent
There are jobs where it is difficult to find profiles with the right skills for the job, which is commonly known as a talent shortage. Therefore, companies must take certain measures to attract this talent, and employees can specialize in certain areas.
According to ManpowerGroup, in 2025, 74% of organizations globally reported having difficulty filling vacant positions due to a lack of qualified talent.
“In Mexico, 70% of employers have difficulty finding the profiles they need. Globally, the talent shortage is felt most in medium-sized companies, and the same is true in Mexico, with 73%,” the firm reports.
In Spain, the most difficult positions to fill are:
Operations and Logistics
Front Office and Customer Service
Sales and Marketing
IT and Data Analysis – Engineering
“The advancement of technology continues to transform the way we work and creates positions that require new skills. At the same time, in the era of Industry 4.0, organizations are facing a critical global talent shortage in a context of geopolitical instability and environmental and sustainability challenges,” he emphasizes.
Source: eleconomista
