"The key is to focus less on the AI algorithm and more on the human one - i.e., the one running between every recruiter's two ears!"
- Jeremy Schifeling, founder of The Job Insiders
Jeremy Schifeling, expert AI career coach of The Job Insiders, has seen firsthand how AI is reshaping the job search landscape. The author of the #1 best-selling AI careers book "Career Coach GPT" brought his expertise to a Glassdoor Community Hot Seat session, sharing hard-won wisdom from his own career pivots — from teacher to recruiting expert — and the thousands of job seekers he's helped navigate this new terrain.
From AI's biggest pitfalls to the soft skills that will define the next decade of work, here are five of Schifeling's most useful insights to help workers navigate their job search.
1. Don't let AI erase your unique voice
Schifeling sees this error everywhere from applicants in today's job market.
"By far the #1 mistake is letting AI turn your unique application into a generic one. When everyone uses AI to write their cover letters and every cover letter begins 'I am writing to express my interest in X role at Y company,' everything that's unique and different about you has just been lost,” he said. “That makes it all too easy for the recruiter to reject your application immediately in favor of the handful truly differentiated ones..."
2. Stand out by doing what no one else is willing to do
When most job seekers are taking the easy route, Schifeling advocates for effort over automation. "Standing out is everything! That means NOT doing what everyone else is doing but instead doing what NO ONE else is willing to do,” said Schifeling.
He recommends taking more unique actions instead, such as:
1) Getting a referral inside the company
2) Identifying your future boss and reaching out directly
3) Creating application materials that use your own voice, not AI's
3. Soft skills will be the new powerhouse in an AI world
What does Schifeling think about the future of AI? It flips conventional career wisdom on its head.
"My crystal ball prediction is that, because AI is so good at the hard skills we've all focused on for the last few decades (coding, data, etc.), its emergence will actually make soft skills (empathy, storytelling, relationship-building) the scarce and desirable skillset of the next decade,” Schifeling said.
He recommends workers do these two things:
1) Identify the soft skills that you're great at and navigate your career towards roles that emphasize those
2) Also build up AI skills. Since the combination will make you the unicorn candidate that recruiters crave: A combo of powerful tech + human skills!
Schifeling reminds us that when everyone can prompt AI to do technical work, the people who can do the uniquely human stuff (reading a room, navigating office politics, inspiring others) become incredibly valuable.
4. The future belongs to workers who combine their expertise with AI proficiency
The hiring bar is rising, and Schifeling sees a clear trend emerging.
"While I don't think that white collar jobs are cooked by any stretch, I do think that the hires of the next 5 years won't just be good at their jobs: They'll be good at their jobs plus AI,” he said. That means, if you're already a great coder or salesperson, you'll be able to stand out by taking your skills to the next level when the hiring bar gets higher."
5. AI can help you determine your next career move
For professionals stuck on their next move, Schifeling suggests using AI as a thinking partner.
"While it all comes down to what you want out of life (e.g., pay vs. work-life balance), this is something you can actually chat with AI about,” said Schifeling. “For instance, you could ask ChatGPT to list the pros and cons of any decision to get a better feel for what that's going to entail. I find that AI, while not as powerful as a coach, can be a good way to break through analysis paralysis!"
Follow Jeremy Schifeling on Glassdoor Community for more insights on navigating AI in your career.