AGP Executive Report
Last update: 11 hours agoLabor Market Signals: U.S. employers cut 23,000 jobs in July, but unemployment fell to 4.1% because more people left the labor force—keeping the market “stable, without being good,” per Fed Chicago’s Austan Goolsbee, who says inflation is the bigger threat. Small Business Hiring: NFIB reports small-business optimism jumped to an 11-month high in July, with more owners planning payroll growth, even as 36% still can’t fill openings. Workforce Shift to “Disposable” Jobs: MIT Sloan’s Paul Osterman argues about 35% of workers are already treated as disposable (contractors, freelancers, marginal employees), and AI could accelerate the trend. AI in Hiring: Experts say job seekers should use AI for research and to polish drafts—but keep their own voice—while employers increasingly move beyond resumes toward portfolios and work samples. Training & Recruitment: Massachusetts awarded $15.5M to train 1,600+ for skilled trades; CBP announced August virtual recruitment events; Howard County sent $260k to keep a 988 crisis center running after federal funding ended. Housing & Pay Pressure: Existing home sales fell again as mortgage rates rose; low-wage job markets in places like the Inland Empire and L.A.-Orange County show rents swallowing most take-home pay.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.