The proliferation of tech tools for those seeking jobs isn't helping and, in fact, is making the process "more soul-crushing than ever," observes Jon Stross of hiring platform Greenhouse. Using AI for resumes and cover letters allows applicants to multiply how many jobs they apply for in a finite universe of jobs, creating an "arms race" in the marketplace, Stross notes.

When President-elect Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk to form a group aimed at improving government efficiency, Musk immediately took to his social media platform, X, in search of candidates for the task force. The new "Department of Governance Efficiency" is accepting CVs for unpaid work, with Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy promising to personally evaluate the top 1% of applicants.

A significant gap exists between AI adoption and employee training, with 75% of companies using AI but only one-third of employees receiving training in the past year, according to a Randstad survey. The survey also reveals demographic disparities: Men make up 70% of AI-skilled workers, and Gen Z workers have more access to AI training than baby boomers.

A federal judge in Texas has rejected the Labor Department's April 2024 rule raising salary thresholds for the white-collar overtime exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act, citing that the changes exceeded the agency's authority. The ruling voids the July 2024 salary increase and halts the planned January 2025 adjustments, reverting thresholds to 2019 levels, while leaving open the possibility of a federal appeal.

Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a multigenerational workforce, writes Renee Moodie, who recommends leaders adopt a perennial mindset to drive age diversity and inclusivity strategically. This involves challenging age-based stereotypes, promoting continuous learning and creating flexible work environments, Moodie notes.

Entrepreneurs face significant challenges due to the lack of federal parental leave protections, writes Deepti Sharma, a speaker, activist and serial entrepreneur. Sharma shares her experience of returning to work shortly after childbirth and offers tips for managing time away, such as budgeting, hiring trustworthy staff and setting realistic expectations.

The adoption of AI in the workplace seems to have slowed, rising only a percentage point to 33% in the last three months, according to a survey conducted by communications tool Slack. Almost half of workers said they feared being viewed as incompetent or lazy for using AI, leading Slack's Christina Janzer to conclude that "too much of the burden has been put on workers to figure out how to use AI."

Job seekers are increasingly using AI tools to enhance resumes and cover letters amid a challenging job market, according to Zety's HR and AI Recruitment Report. The report shows that 66% of HR managers support the use of AI for creating application materials, but 42% view its use as unethical and 71% are concerned about AI skewing skills assessment results.