Enhance your job prospects by gaining AI knowledge. Learn how AI skills can set you apart, show adaptability, and boost your resume for a competitive edge in today's job market.
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In the last few years, the conversation around Artificial Intelligence (AI) has escalated. Once seen as a kind of futuristic idea rather than something that will be used in everyday life, it's now part of everything from healthcare to education. Unlike other technologies, it's also designed for non-specialists to use, meaning that employers are increasingly looking for these skills in a variety of roles.
As a result, getting ahead and increasing your AI knowledge can potentially boost your chances when it comes to applying for a new role. The good news is that there are many free resources out there that allow you to improve your AI skills without having to spend on specialist training days or get specific qualifications. In this post, we explain why it's worth brushing up on your technical skills before you begin the application process.
To start with, AI can be useful in just getting your application noticed by a hiring manager and securing that all-important first interview. Whilst you shouldn't use AI solely to write your resume and cover letter, it can be helpful for generating first drafts or checking your existing documents for areas where you can optimize your wording.
Especially given the recent trend in the recruitment industry to use AI to find and screen applicants, using the technology in the first place can potentially improve your chances of getting noticed.
Any potential employer wants to see an interest in your chosen industry, as well as an enthusiasm for keeping your skills up to date. By highlighting your knowledge of AI in the application process, you can demonstrate that you're someone who follows the latest trends, and puts in the work to keep your skillset current. Whether you'll need AI in your role or not, this is still a valuable trait to have. In fact, research shows that 71% of leaders would prefer to hire someone with AI skills over someone with industry experience.
It's important to remember that you don't need to be an industry leader in AI to include it on your resume. Don't oversell your skills – the idea is to highlight your commitment to personal growth, not make out that you can lead the AI revolution in your new role.
There's seemingly been two camps when it comes to using AI in the workplace. The first group seems to be optimistic about what the technology can do for streamlining workflows and maximizing output, whilst the second is worried that AI will take over our jobs. Of course, the reality is somewhere in the middle. However, the level of willingness to embrace AI at work often depends on the viewpoint of senior management or other respected figures.
If you're someone who is applying for a more senior role, then showcasing your interest in the options AI can offer can give your potential new company an indication of what sort of person you are – in this case, one open to change whilst not throwing out the rulebook completely. Whether this is an appealing prospect will depend on the role you're applying for, but generally, employers like new hires to bring something fresh to the table.
Whether you're sold on it or not, an ability to use AI competently means an ability to tackle complex problems in the workplace, using data-driven insights. With competitive industries such as finance leaning on AI – where 15% of companies in this industry are utilizing it, according to research – having even a basic understanding of how to tackle common problems can put you ahead of the other candidates.
As well as being ready to give examples of any times you've used AI, or how you would go about using it, you may also want to be prepared for questions such as “why would you use AI in this case?” or “how would you encourage skeptical team members to try it out?”. Practicing with an AI interview tool can help you simulate these scenarios and refine your responses, making sure you're well-prepared for common AI-related questions. AI is still a relatively new technology in a business context, and so it's worth preparing to discuss the topic far more than just acknowledging you've got some experience in this area.
Overall, highlighting AI on your resume can be a great way to showcase your skills and suitability for the role. If this part of your resume is currently blank, it's well-worth making the effort to do some basic research or training before applying, regardless of whether it comes up or not.
