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Tammy Homegardner, career coach and LinkedIn expert (Linked Into Jobs); author and founder of The Job Search School.
There’s a lot of talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on our work lives. If you’re in a job search, you might feel uneasy about all this tech talk, worrying that machines are ready to take over your next job. But let’s dive into why AI might be your best friend in finding your next opportunity.
Think of AI as the new kid on the block, shaking up how we do our jobs but not necessarily stealing them. AI started doing simple tasks, like sorting emails, but now it’s doing big things like helping doctors diagnose diseases faster or letting marketers target ads more cleverly. AI is already in places you may not realize, helping people do their jobs better.
Debunking Some AI Myths
1. AI will take all the jobs.
Sure, AI is great at doing some tasks, especially the repetitive ones (thank goodness, right?), but that doesn’t mean it is here to replace us. Instead, AI is here to work alongside us, taking care of the tedious, repetitive tasks and letting us focus on the work that really needs our human touch—like creating, strategizing and building relationships.
2. AI will lead to mass unemployment.
History has shown us that when new technologies pop up, they don’t usually kill jobs—they just change them. Remember when the internet started? It didn’t end work; it created many new types of jobs. I believe AI is doing the same thing. It’s opening doors to new opportunities and careers we could not have imagined a few years ago. Many of these new opportunities need a human touch, from managing AI systems (because they can be a bit like needy toddlers) to ensuring AI is being used ethically (a big responsibility!).
Example: Consider companies adopting AI in their workplaces, like tech giants. They’re hiring people to ensure the AI behaves nicely and fairly. That job didn’t exist before, and it combines tech know-how with ethical thinking.
AI And Your Job Hunt
AI is transforming the job search process into something more dynamic and personalized. It’s not just sorting through listings anymore; AI can actively assist you in uncovering roles that align perfectly with your skills and career aspirations, some of which you may never have considered.
AI-Powered Job Matching
Many job platforms now use sophisticated AI algorithms that analyze your résumé and past job experiences to suggest positions that fit your skill set and career history. These algorithms look beyond the obvious keywords into the nuances of your career progression, skill development and even your interests.
Example: Platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor use these AI systems to recommend jobs. Suppose your profile and activity suggest a strong background in digital marketing with a recent shift toward data analytics. In that case, AI might highlight roles that blend these two fields, such as marketing data analyst, a role you might not have considered, and that could be an exciting next step in your career.
Upskilling
AI doesn’t stop at job recommendations. It’s also revolutionizing how job seekers upskill themselves. AI can suggest online courses tailored just for you based on your current job title and job search goals. These personalized learning paths can help you brush up on your existing skills and learn new ones that could increase your marketability in the future.
Interview Preparation
Preparing for interviews can be daunting, especially when you are unsure what to expect. Here, too, AI can come to the rescue. AI-driven mock interview platforms can provide a simulated interview experience, with personalized feedback tailored to the job you’re applying for. These platforms use natural language processing to evaluate your responses for content and delivery, including aspects like tone, clarity and confidence.
These AI tools are designed to make your job search more efficient and targeted. By utilizing these technologies, you can discover roles that fit your unique skill set, help you prepare more effectively for interviews and ensure that you are continually learning and evolving in your career. Adding AI to your toolkit could make navigating the job market easier and faster than ever before.
Challenges Of AI Use In The Job Search
While AI can revolutionize the job search process with its efficiency and personalized approach, it’s essential to recognize it’s not without its challenges. As someone who has navigated the complexities of modern job hunting, I’ve observed that despite AI’s numerous advantages, there are significant caveats that need careful consideration.
The Issue Of Bias
One major concern with AI in recruitment is its potential to perpetuate existing biases. AI systems learn from large datasets that often reflect historical biases related to gender, race, age or socioeconomic status. For example, suppose an AI algorithm is trained on data from a company where a specific demographic predominantly occupies leadership roles. In that case, it may favor candidates who fit that profile, unfairly excluding equally or more qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. In my own experiences, AI-driven platforms sometimes favor profiles from certain educational backgrounds or locales, which do not necessarily correlate with the required job skills or expertise.
Over-Reliance On Technology
There is also a risk of becoming overly reliant on AI for job search efforts. While AI can aid the process, maintaining a human touch is crucial. Networking, personalized outreach and relationship building are essential aspects of the job search that AI cannot fully replicate. I made the mistake once of heavily depending on automated tools for my job applications, and I saw a noticeable decrease in response rates. This served as a wake-up call to balance the use of technology with more personalized job search strategies, such as reaching out directly to hiring managers or tailoring my applications more specifically for each role. AI is meant to assist you but not do the work for you. You need a blend of AI with a human-touch approach. This is vital for a successful job search in an AI-driven market.
Keeping Your Skills Fresh
Staying relevant is key in a world where AI keeps changing the game. Picking up some AI-related skills might sound daunting, but tons of online courses can get you up to speed, no matter your starting point.
Be curious and open to learning. Try out new AI tools, watch online videos and keep up on AI news. It’s all about staying adaptable and ready to roll with the changes.
Should you fear AI in your job search in 2025? Absolutely not! Think of AI as a tool to make your job search smarter, not harder. It’s all about how you use it to your advantage. And remember, as the brilliant Marie Curie once said, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” The more we understand AI, the better we can use it to boost our careers. Here’s to not just keeping up but thriving in the AI age!
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