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Wed, Apr

How to Gain a Competitive Advantage in the Job Market in the Age of AI

VOICES

JOB MARKET - 2023 is an exciting time to enter the job market. There is currently a labor shortage in the US and the UK which means that job-seekers have more opportunities than they had in previous years. Also, employers are making unprecedented efforts to attract and retain talent. This translates to employers paying more attention to the work environment, work culture, and the employees’ work-life balance. All of these developments are extremely positive. 

However, on the other hand, today’s job market is changing at a faster pace than ever before. And with the advent of digital technologies, the fast-changing commercial AI landscape, remote work, and other shifts in work culture, it can be difficult to stay up to speed on the changes (much less to anticipate them). 

In this short article, we’ll take a look at how AI has affected the job market, what that means for job seekers, and what you need to be aware of to gain a competitive edge in the job market.  

The Positive Effects of AI on the Recruitment Process

AI is being implemented in nearly every sector of activity. And recruitment is not an exception. When the best practices for deploying AI within large organizations are respected, this technological advancement befits both job seekers and recruiters alike.

Targeted Job Matches

AI-powered online job search engines, like Lensa, provide job seekers with a more finely targeted approach to the job search process. This is because the machine learning algorithms these platforms use are able to comb through millions of job offers and resumes (at a speed that is, for all intents and purposes, instantaneous), and they are able to match the job seekers with job offers that correspond to their skill sets and priorities. 

This is a tremendous time-saver, and it allows job seekers to conduct a more finely targeted search.

Worth Considering

Bear in mind that AI-powered search engines filter resumes and make matches based on keywords. So, when you draft your resume, you need to incorporate words that figure in job offers that interest you. Your resume is being reviewed not only by HR professionals but also by AI algorithms.

Tip for Resume Writing

Peruse job offers in your area of interest and incorporate into your resume the exact words you find in the job offers.

Predictive Analysis and Long-Term Career Thinking

Traditional job search platforms are designed simply to help job seekers find their next job, with little to no consideration for their longer career trajectory. 

Thanks to AI technology and predictive analysis, job seekers can avoid making lateral movements. Instead, they can greatly improve the chances that their next job will lead them down a career path that has a viable future. This is because AI systems are able to analyze millions of data points and, from them, identify patterns and even make predictions about the future. This includes the long-term viability of a skill or sector of activity and also what type of work experience will lead to better positions in the long run.   

Career-Targeted Training

There are many online courses, webinars, and tutorials that you can take to level up your skills. The market for online training is so competitive that the prices of these courses have become shockingly low. In fact, it is quite easy to find courses that are free.

Tip for Finding Free Online Courses

For whatever sector of activity you are interested in working in, there are invariably software systems, platforms, and digital tools designed to assist professionals in that field. The vast majority of these digital tools offer free training programs. The reason is quite simple: the more professionals working in that field, the more potential customers for their product. Plus, the courses are a good way for the creators of these tools to establish a relationship with their target customers. 

Take advantage of the online courses creators of digital tools offer. In most cases, being familiar with industry-specific tools is a skill employers look for.

AI Can Help You Identify Gaps in Your Training

Machine learning algorithms analyze millions of resumes and job offers. These algorithms identify which candidates are better fits for certain jobs. Sometimes, what is keeping you from being matched with the job of your dreams is a simple training course or some practical experience with certain tools. Let AI help you identify which skills and experience you might be missing. After all, since AI is doing a lot of the preliminary work of recruiters, it only makes sense that you, as a job seeker, should be soliciting help and advice from AI, too.  

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