Internet Shutdown Cuts Online Job Listings by 64%, Jobvision Data Shows

According to data shared by Jobvision with Digiato, the nationwide internet shutdown that began on January 8 and lasted more than 20 days delivered a severe blow to Iran’s online labor market.

During this period, new job listings fell by 64%. The disruption proved more lasting than the impact of the recent 12-day war, which caused a sharper but shorter pause in hiring activity. Unlike the wartime shock, the market has yet to return to pre-crisis levels after connectivity was partially restored.

Employers React Faster Than Job Seekers

The first reaction came from employers, not job seekers. Companies quickly froze hiring plans amid uncertainty and limited digital access, including restricted access to Google.

While job postings dropped 64%, daily job applications declined by 34%. The gap indicates that employers pulled back more aggressively than candidates. Even during the outage, job seekers continued to search for opportunities, though at reduced levels.

Demand Returns, Supply Lags

After partial restoration of internet access and search engines, job applications rebounded close to pre-crisis levels, remaining only 8% below normal. However, new job postings are still down 30%.

This imbalance has intensified competition, with more applicants chasing fewer positions. The data suggests companies remain cautious despite improved connectivity, postponing recruitment decisions.

War vs. Internet Shutdown: Different Market Dynamics

During the 12-day war, the labor market experienced a near-complete halt. Job listings fell by 81%, and applications dropped by more than 71%. Both employers and candidates retreated simultaneously.

In contrast, the internet shutdown created an asymmetric shock. Demand for jobs persisted while supply contracted sharply. This imbalance has contributed to a slower recovery compared to the post-war period, when hiring activity rebounded more quickly.

Digital Roles Suffer the Sharpest Declines

Internet-dependent roles were hit hardest. Job listings in digital marketing and SEO declined by 80% during the Google disruption and remain 70% below pre-crisis levels.

Content creation and graphic design roles saw a 70% drop during peak disruptions and remain down 50% despite partial recovery.

Customer support positions declined by 70% during the full outage and are still 40% below early January levels. Technology-related roles fell by 60% during the shutdown and remain 30% lower than before the crisis.

In contrast, physically oriented roles such as security staff and drivers experienced only minor fluctuations, demonstrating greater resilience due to lower reliance on digital infrastructure.

Crisis Type Shapes Recovery Path

Jobvision’s data indicates that the nature of a crisis determines recovery dynamics. The internet shutdown caused a supply-demand imbalance that prolonged labor market stabilization. While job seekers quickly resumed activity, employers have been slower to restore hiring levels.

The result is a more competitive market environment, with structural pressures that may take significantly longer to resolve than those experienced after the 12-day war.