Abled Workers Unite
Remote Work and Well-being: A Four-Year Study
• A four-year University of South Australia study found that working from home significantly improves happiness and well-being.
• Remote workers gained an average of 30 extra minutes of sleep nightly due to eliminated commutes, leading to better mental health and reduced stress.
• The extra time saved was used for a mix of work, family care, and leisure activities, contributing to healthier lifestyles and improved work-life balance.
• While concerns existed about productivity and team cohesion, the study showed that voluntary remote work often increased productivity and that teams found ways to stay connected virtually.
• The research suggests a shift towards more adaptable and well-being-focused work arrangements, emphasizing trust, open communication, and flexibility in remote work environments.
https://www.cmu.fr/en/scientists-have-studied-remote-work-for-4-years-and-have-reached-a-clear-conclusion-working-from-home-makes-us-happier-9712/ #AWU #disability #jobs #remotework
How to Write a Standout Cover Letter
• Effective cover letters differentiate applicants by showcasing qualities beyond resume details, such as communication skills and work ethic.
• Avoid simply restating your resume; instead, highlight unique attributes and accomplishments that demonstrate your suitability for the specific job.
• Use a straightforward opening, focusing on your interest in the position, and avoid unnecessary creative flourishes or extensive research into the hiring manager's name.
• Demonstrate your skills and abilities through concrete examples and quantifiable achievements, rather than making generic claims of excellence.
• Personalize each cover letter to align with the specific job requirements and company culture, aiming for a warm and conversational tone while maintaining professionalism; keep it concise, around one page in length.
https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-write-a-cover-letter.htm
Struggling New Grads in a Tough Job Market
• Recent college graduates are facing an unexpectedly difficult job market, with unemployment rates significantly higher than the overall national average.
• Three main factors contribute to this: a cooling labor market with reduced turnover, the impact of Trump's tariff policies on hiring, and the increasing integration of AI into the workforce.
• The stagnant labor market means fewer opportunities for entry-level positions, as employees are hesitant to change jobs due to economic uncertainty.
• AI is automating tasks previously performed by entry-level workers, particularly in tech fields, leading to job displacement and reduced hiring.
• To navigate this challenging landscape, new graduates need to be resourceful, demonstrate skills beyond their degree, and actively network with potential employers.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/bad-news-college-grads-3-110000536.html #AWU #disability #jobs
Career Changes Surge After the Pandemic
• A significant portion of workers who changed jobs between 2022 and 2024 also switched careers (64%), driven by factors stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The pandemic caused widespread layoffs and labor shortages, empowering workers to seek better pay, benefits, and work-life balance.
• Many workers reevaluated their priorities, seeking more fulfilling careers aligned with personal values and a better work-life balance, leading to increased job-hopping.
• Fields with high turnover included hospitality, arts and entertainment, and logistics, while nursing, software development, and accounting showed higher employee retention.
• The desire for remote work, better work-life balance, and more meaningful careers were cited as top reasons for career changes, highlighting a lasting shift in employee priorities.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/06/10/most-job-switchers-change-careers-indeed-study/84108243007/ #AWU #disability #jobs
“Interview Question”
How Did You Find Out About the Position?
The employer is trying to see if one of their marketing methods reached you, or if you found out about the job through some other way.
How to Answer "How Did You Find Out About the Position?" Whether you learned of the opening from a colleague, online or through a job ad, share the method with the interviewer. You may get brownie points if you happened to have learned about the job from the company's website. If you took extra time to learn about the organization while applying, be sure to mention it. #AWU #disability #Interviewquestions
High-Paying, AI-Resistant Jobs Requiring No College Degree
• A new report by Resume Now identifies 13 well-paying, stable careers that don't require a college degree and are unlikely to be replaced by AI.
• These jobs, many involving personal interaction, manual dexterity, or creative problem-solving, include roles such as flight attendants, electricians, plumbers, and chefs.
• The report emphasizes the need for human skills in unpredictable environments and situations where AI currently falls short.
• Median annual salaries for these positions range from approximately $56,000 to $71,000, offering a strong income potential without needing a college education.
• While some tasks within these roles may eventually be automated, the report highlights the continued reliance on human judgment and adaptability for the foreseeable future.
https://www.sj-r.com/story/business/economy/2025/06/10/jobs-no-college-degree-ai-requirements/84112883007/ #AWU #disability #jobs
"Interview Tip "
Best Answer for "Biggest Weakness" Interview Question
• To impress interviewers when asked about weaknesses, focus on skill gaps relevant to the job rather than personality flaws.
• Instead of admitting personality weaknesses, highlight a lack of experience in a specific area relevant to the position, showing willingness to learn and improve.
• This approach presents a fixable weakness, demonstrating honesty and openness to growth, making a better impression than revealing personality flaws.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/best-answer-job-interviewer-asks-35348063.amp #AWU ##disability #jobs #interviewtips
"Resume Tip"
Leadership: The Ultimate Resume Booster!
Your resume isn’t just a list of skills—it’s a story of impact. Show hiring managers you’re not just a participant, but a leader who drives results.
Instead of: “Managed team tasks” Try: “Led a team of five to streamline operations, boosting efficiency by 20%.”
Instead of: “Handled customer inquiries”
Try: “Developed a customer service strategy that improved satisfaction scores by 30%.
Leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about initiative, collaboration, and influence. Make your resume reflect the impact YOU create!
#AWU #Leadership #CareerGrowth #ResumeTips
Navigating the 2025 Job Market Slowdown
• The job market is slowing, particularly impacting recent graduates with unemployment rates for 22-27 year olds at 5.8% in March.
• While healthcare and leisure/hospitality are booming, other sectors show little growth, with federal funding cuts affecting research and government jobs.
• Economic uncertainty, driven by fluctuating federal policies, is deterring companies from creating new positions and contributing to a potentially worsening market.
• Experts advise job seekers to network, highlight relevant skills (including AI proficiency and soft skills), and begin their job search immediately.
• Despite challenges, candidates with college degrees still have an advantage, but the lack of movement in existing positions limits backfill opportunities.
https://time.com/7291844/job-market-college-graduates-unemployment/
May 2025 Job Report
The May 2025 US Jobs Report sows Solid Growth but Underlying Weakness
• The US added 139,000 jobs in May 2025, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.2%.
• However, revisions to the previous two months showed downward payroll adjustments, and the household survey indicated a significant employment decline.
• Wage growth continues to outpace inflation, supporting consumer spending, but some economists express concern about the softening job market.
• Market reactions were positive initially, with increased S&P 500 futures and reduced expectations of Fed rate cuts.
• Despite the positive headline numbers, underlying data suggests a potential slowdown in the economy during the second half of the year.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/live-blog/2025-06-06/us-employment-report-for-may
This is good news but I agree there is an underlying weakness. Some big companies are laying off large numbers of people. I just got back from a conference where some were saying on average it takes applying to 200 jobs to get an interview. That is a weakness IMHO. #AWU #disability #jobs