📰 In this issue

🔹 Navigating the Mid 2025 Employment Landscape

🔹 The Current Employment Picture

🔹 Disruption Meets Opportunity

🔹 Strategic Positioning

🔹 90 Day Action Plan

🗃 Insider

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📰 Industry Pulse

Navigating the Mid 2025 Employment Landscape📊

Where We Stand Today

We've been trying to fill you in with what we felt the jobs market had in store from a pragmatic standpoint, and we will continue to do so going forward. Today the reality comes down to this: the employment situation as of August faces increasing headwinds from layoffs, tariff effects, and the transformative impact of AI.

We see a deleterious effect globally from all of the “trade deals” announced as most of what has been stated is hyperbole or just straight misleading. The reality is, the deals are simply frameworks with ongoing negotiations, with very little cast in stone, whether they be with Japan, EU, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea or others. Investment pledges and profit claims are often speculative, and final agreements are pending. As before the announcements, enterprises around the globe are keenly aware of this and are stuck in a planning conundrum. So that said, we haven’t yet seen the effects on the global markets and subsequently on employment. This won’t end well.

However, while certain sectors like technology, retail, and government are particularly affected by job cuts, there's also unprecedented opportunity for those who position themselves strategically.

The Current Employment Picture

By the Numbers:

• U-6 unemployment issued by the Fed is a more accurate number on the employment market and that shows 7.9% in July.

• Over 172,000 employees were laid off from 1,220 companies in 2025, with tech companies accounting for 141,000+ dismissals from 468 firms

• Federal government layoffs have been significant, with thousands of positions eliminated across agencies like USDA, IRS, and State Department and they haven’t hit the ranks of unemployed yet, because they are still being paid out.

But here's what the headlines aren't telling you: 170 million new jobs are projected to be created by 2030, with only 92 million displaced - resulting in a net gain of 78 million positions.

Disruption Meets Opportunity 🤖

The AI revolution is here. But contrary to doomsday predictions, there are things that you can focus on that AI just can’t handle, like;

• Analytical Thinking: The ability to break down complex information, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions. Employers seek this because it’s critical for problem-solving and strategic planning in dynamic environments. AI can process data but struggles with contextual judgment and abstract reasoning humans excel at.

• Resilience: The capacity to adapt, recover from setbacks, and thrive under pressure. This is prized because workplaces often involve uncertainty and stress, requiring humans to stay motivated and navigate challenges. AI lacks the emotional depth and adaptability to handle such situations.

• Creativity: The ability to generate original ideas, innovate, and think outside the box. Employers value this for driving innovation and solving novel problems. While AI can mimic creative outputs (e.g., art or text), it doesn’t truly ideate or understand human needs and cultural nuances like humans do.

• Leadership: The skill to inspire, guide, and manage teams effectively. This involves emotional intelligence, vision-setting, and decision-making in ambiguous situations. AI can’t replicate the human touch needed to motivate people or navigate interpersonal dynamics.

Strategic Positioning 🚀

1. Master the Skill Stack That Matters 🎯

Top Priority Skills for 2025-2030:

• Analytical thinking (70% of companies consider it essential)

• AI and big data literacy

• Creative thinking, advanced communication, and negotiation skills

• Resilience, flexibility, and agility

• Software engineering, data analysis, and cloud computing

The Hybrid Advantage: Employers increasingly seek candidates who blend technical skills with strategic capabilities. Just learning AI tools won’t cut it. You have to learn to apply them strategically to solve business problems.

2. Position Yourself in Growth Sectors 📈

High-Growth Job Categories:

• Healthcare and Care Services: Nursing professionals and care roles are seeing significant increases due to demographic trends

• Education: Secondary school teachers and educational roles are expanding

• Green Energy and Environmental: Renewable energy and environmental engineering roles are in high demand

• AI and Data Specialists: Tech hubs like San Francisco continue to attract top talent for AI and machine learning roles

3. The Continuous Learning Imperative 🧠

39% of workers' skills will need updating by 2030, but this has actually decreased from 44% in 2023 - suggesting that proactive learning is working.

Smart Learning Strategy:

• Micro-learning: Dedicate 2-3 hours weekly to skill development

• Company Resources: Leverage employer training programs and financial support

• Strategic Focus: Rather than just upskilling, strategically position yourself in the labor market

4. Geographic and Market Positioning

Regional Opportunities:

• Traditional tech hubs like San Francisco remain talent magnets, but hybrid work is creating opportunities in other regions

• Consider markets with lower competition but growing demand

• Remote work capabilities continue to expand geographic possibilities

Your 90 Day Action Plan ⏰

Month 1: Assessment and Foundation

• Audit your current skills against market demand

• Identify your industry's AI adoption trajectory

• Begin basic AI literacy training

Month 2: Strategic Skill Building

• Focus on one high-demand technical skill

• Develop one key human skill (leadership, communication, creativity)

• Network within growth sectors

Month 3: Market Positioning

• Update your professional profiles with new competencies

• Showcase AI collaboration capabilities

• Position yourself as a bridge between traditional expertise and new technologies

The Bottom Line 💡

The employment landscape of mid 2025 isn't about survival, it's about strategic positioning for unprecedented opportunity. 63% of employers cite skills gaps as their biggest barrier to business transformation, which means skilled professionals are not just in demand - they're essential.

The winners in this new economy won't be those who resist change, but those who strategically embrace it. By combining human judgment with AI capabilities, continuously learning, and positioning yourself in growth areas, you're not just staying ahead of the game - you're helping to define it.

Remember: Lastly, if you don’t have the skills, it doesn’t matter how you modify our LinkedIn profile or stick key words in your resume. You can modify your resume to fit the job, but is it the job you want or the one you need?

Next week, we'll dive deeper into specific strategies for different career stages and provide a detailed roadmap for transitioning into high-growth sectors. Stay tuned for actionable insights that keep you ahead of the curve.

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