Abled Workers Unite
"Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills"
Soft skills are traits that come naturally, whereas hard skills are technical skills related to your job and industry. Soft skills are learned throughout your whole life and hard skills are generally learned through education and training. While soft skills can be used across different industries and a wide variety of circumstances, hard skills are used for specific tasks and can be industry-specific. Hiring managers tend to give priority to job candidates with strong soft skills since soft skills are harder to teach.
Employers highly value soft skills because they contribute to a productive and positive work environment. Some of the most sought-after soft skills include:
Communication– The ability to clearly express ideas and actively listen to others.
Teamwork– Collaborating effectively with colleagues to achieve common goals.
Adaptability – Being flexible and open to change in dynamic work environments.
Problem-solving– Thinking critically and creatively to overcome challenges.
Leadership– Inspiring and guiding others, even without a formal leadership role.
Time management– Prioritizing tasks efficiently to meet deadlines.
Emotional intelligence– Understanding and managing emotions, both yours and others'.
Work ethic– Demonstrating reliability, responsibility, and dedication. #AWU #disability #jobs
"Interview Tip"
“I think my resume speaks for itself.”
You should never tell an interviewer this. Your resume alone isn’t enough to tell your full story during an interview.
The purpose of doing an interview is for additional discovery to identify the best hire for the role. Your resume is like a book outline, highlighting only important points.
Your job during the interview is to expand on those highlighted points, convincing the interviewer that you are the best qualified person for the position. #AWU #disability #jobs #interviewtips
Artficial Intelligence in Hiring: Job Seekers Push Back
• Over two-thirds of companies utilize AI in their hiring processes, leading to increased workload efficiency but also growing skepticism among job seekers.
• A survey reveals that 62% of job seekers would avoid applying to companies heavily reliant on AI in hiring, citing concerns about lack of human interaction and potential biases.
• AI's inability to assess soft skills like enthusiasm and work ethic, along with potential biases based on age, race, or disability, are major drawbacks highlighted by job seekers and HR managers.
• The majority of job seekers (84%) prefer human interaction for initial interviews and resume reviews, emphasizing the importance of human judgment in the hiring process.
• Many HR managers acknowledge the risks of AI-only hiring, with 68% stating that the risks outweigh the benefits without human involvement, underscoring the need for a balanced approach.
https://wtop.com/business-finance/2025/05/job-seekers-increasingly-skeptical-of-ai-looking-at-their-resume/ #AWU #disability #jobs
"Job Search Tip"
As of May 2025, the U.S. job market is experiencing significant shifts, with certain roles seeing heightened demand due to technological advancements, healthcare needs, and infrastructure developments. Based on recent data from LinkedIn and other reputable sources, here are the top 10 most in-demand jobs:
Software Engineer Maintains the top spot, driven by the ongoing digital transformation across industries.
Nurse Climbs to the second position, reflecting the growing healthcare needs of an aging population.
Salesperson Remains crucial as businesses seek to expand their market reach and drive revenue.
Project Manager Essential for overseeing complex projects, especially with the rise in remote and hybrid work models.
Account Manager Key in maintaining client relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction in competitive markets.
Electrical Engineer Demand surges due to infrastructure projects and the expansion of renewable energy initiatives.
Accountant Sees increased demand as businesses navigate complex financial landscapes and regulatory requirements.
Sales Manager Plays a pivotal role in strategizing and leading sales teams to meet organizational goals.
Customer Service Representative Continues to be vital in ensuring positive customer experiences and handling inquiries effectively.
Truck Driver Experiences a significant jump in demand, reflecting the critical role in supply chain and logistics operations.
"Job Search Tip"
The worst times to apply!
The worst day and time to apply for a job is typically late Friday afternoon or over the weekend. Here's why:
Friday afternoons: Hiring managers are winding down for the week and unlikely to prioritize new applications. Your resume may get buried by Monday.
Weekends: Applications submitted on Saturday or Sunday are often overlooked or get pushed down by the time recruiters check their inboxes on Monday morning.
Late at night (any day): Applications sent after business hours are less likely to be seen at the top of the inbox when the recruiter logs in the next day. #AWU #disability #jobs
"Job Search Tip"
Tuesday is statistically the best day to apply for a job.
Here are key stats from multiple hiring studies: Tuesday applications get more attention:
According to a study by Bright.com, 20% more people who applied on Tuesdays got interviews compared to other days.
Applications submitted early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) tend to be reviewed faster, increasing the chance of being seen by recruiters before the week's pile builds up.
Timing within the day matters too:
Applying before 10 a.m. gives your application a better shot of being reviewed the same day.
Morning applications are five times more likely to be seen and shortlisted than those submitted in the late afternoon or evening. #AWU #disability #jobs
"Interview Tip"
Unless asked, don’t bring up your views on controversial topics or any personal issues that you may be going through.
This is not the time to bring up your political views or childcare drama – instead, keep things as focused as possible on the job. #AWU #disability #interview
"Resume Tip"
Commitment!
Use your resume as an opportunity to show your commitment and professional passion to your career, industry, profession and your skill development. Employees who are invested in these areas often perform at the highest levels because their efforts are not just for a paycheck but also to contribute to their larger community or reputation. Your resume should show memberships in a professional association, participation in an industry conference, noted thought leadership on related topics, classes you have taken and more. #AWU #disability #jobs #resumetips
"Interview Tip"
• To effectively showcase strengths, you may want to have on the tip of your tongue the points that illustrate your personal achievements, identifying recurring strengths, and structuring responses around problem-solution narratives emphasizing results.
• Also create a 'number of stories' to draw upon during interviews that highlight your skills and experiences effectively. #AWU #disability #jobs #interviewtips
Federal Funding Threats to Disability Services
• President Trump's proposed budget includes $163 billion in federal spending cuts, potentially eliminating key disability programs.
• This 22.6% reduction in non-defense discretionary spending would affect programs Congress reauthorizes annually, impacting services already facing funding shortages.
• Advocates express concern, noting that even maintaining current funding levels for programs like IDEA constitutes a cut due to increased enrollment of students with disabilities.
https://lovelandmagazine.com/nations-disability-services-system-begins-to-buckle-as-funding-threats-intensify/ #AWU #disability