Zety, a career service dedicated to helping people improve their resumes and cover letters, has announced the findings from its 2025 Future of Work report, which highlights key trends in AI adoption, employee-HR relationships, and recruiting practices shaping the future of work.
Key findings from the report include the following.
- Approximately 95% of employees report they are currently participating in training or taking other steps to improve their AI skills.
- More than half (58%) of HR managers believe it’s ethical to use AI during their job search, while 42% disagree.
- Further, 38% of employees wouldn’t report being a victim of sexual harassment to HR—44% of women wouldn’t report this compared to 32% of men.
- Most (87%) of recruiters consider cover letters an essential factor when deciding who to interview.
Despite many AI-related job losses, employees recognize the importance of AI training and upskilling. Zety’s AI in the Workplace report finds that one in four people have lost a job due to AI, hitting younger generations the hardest. Nearly half (43%) of people 25 or younger have lost a job due to AI, while 27% of people between the ages of 26 and 40 and 19% of people over 41 have lost a job due to AI.
With the rapid integration of AI across industries, the workforce is not only adapting but also preparing to navigate an increasingly AI-driven job market. When asked about AI use and interest in upskilling, respondents say:
- they utilize AI at work (71%);
- they have an interest in improving their AI skills (100%); and
- they are participating in training or taking steps to improve AI skills (95%).
The push for AI literacy and skill development is only expected to grow in the coming year. These trends suggest a workforce entering 2025 equipped with stronger AI expertise and a readiness to adapt to technological disruptions.
As AI continues to share hiring processes, Zety’s HR and AI Recruitment report shows that most HR professionals approve of candidates leveraging AI for resume creation (66%), cover letter writing (66%), and applying to jobs (59%).
At the same time, 38% are more likely to interview candidates who use AI to enhance applications, 36% say AI usage doesn’t impact their decisions, and 26% are less likely to interview candidates who rely heavily on AI.
Looking ahead, opinions on the ethics of using AI remain divided, highlighting a complex challenge for job seekers.
“As we move into 2025, the workforce is navigating a landscape shaped by AI, evolving workplace dynamics, and shifting recruiting preferences,” says Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety. “The ability to adapt to these changes—whether through upskilling in AI or understanding how to effectively communicate with HR—is crucial for both employees and employers.”
