SOCIAL media serves important roles in job-seeking for young adults. In a survey of 896 Gen Z employees by career resource site Zety, nearly all Gen Z workers say a company’s social media presence influences their application decision (95%). Additionally, 92% said they trust TikTok for career advice, while 76% said they rely on Instagram for guidance. Only 34% used LinkedIn for advice.

AMERICANS are polarized on the economy. Three-quarters (73%) of Republicans expect the economy to improve this year, while Democrats overall say it will worsen (64%), according to the Pew Research Center. A total of 40% overall Americans anticipate improvement, while 37% say conditions will worsen and 23% expect them to remain the same. Most (45%) say the economy is only in fair shape; 31% feel it is poor.

IN a recent report, WalletHub found that U.S. household debt is rising, but remains lower than the peak during the 2008 recession. At the end of 2024, total debt was $18.036 trillion, $985 billion lower than the all-time high of $19.021 trillion in 2008. Ratios of total household debt to deposits and to assets, however, are below pre-pandemic levels. Household mortgage debt decreased $1 billion last year.

GALLUP polling indicates that more Americans hope interest rates will fall than those expecting increases this year (41% hopeful vs. 35% expecting rising rates). This is the first time Americans have anticipated decreases in more than six years. Results are from a Jan. 2-15 survey, shortly before the Trump administration’s inauguration.

NEARLY half of workers say diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs have helped their careers, a ResumeTemplates.com survey of 1,239 full-time employees has revealed. Of them, 64% said their workplace became more supportive, and 52% saw increased diversity in leadership. An 18% share, meanwhile, says such programs have divided their workplace.