AI Is Reshaping The Workforce — And Jobseekers Need To Adapt

As the graduating class of 2025 prepares to enter the job market, the rise of artificial intelligence is fueling both excitement and anxiety among young professionals and seasoned workers alike.

The AI-driven workplace is evolving so rapidly that many new graduates fear their hard-earned degrees may already be outdated by the time they land their first interview.

According to bestselling author Laura Gassner Otting, preparation and mindset will be key to navigating the shifting landscape. “Dont treat AI as the enemy,” warns Gassner Otting, author of “Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life” and “Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like It Should . . . and What to Do About It.”

“Embrace AI as a tool to maximize your skill set — the competition is on and the person most versed in this arena is the one most likely to get the job. Make AI work for you,” she says, though she notes that AI fluency alone isn’t enough. “Become an expert at Excel, Google, LinkedIn, social media, Apple, Microsoft Teams, Data Science, AI, ChatGPT and the list goes on. Employers regard these as the ‘golden ticket’ skills. This is how you become invaluable at the company.”

She also advises demonstrating so-called “soft skills” that cannot be replaced by AI, such as problem solving, leadership, creativity, organizational skills, and managing a team.

“Show off your people skills,” Gassner Otting says. “Many people have forgotten how to interact in person with co-workers so many employers are looking for this trait given there is a ‘back to office’ trend currently.”

Technology expert Marva Bailer, author of “Be Unexpected: Resetting Routines to Revolutionize the Future of Work,” agrees that while job hunting has always been a challenge, AI is now part of the process.

“Finding a job has always been hard,” Bailer says. “Crafting the right resume, preparing for interviews, figuring out how to stand out — none of that is new. Whats new is that AI can now be an essential partner in this process.”

AI can help candidates refine their approach at every stage, she says. “From resume feedback and mock interviews to real-time coaching and skills analysis, AI tools are making it easier to show up prepared and confident,” says Bailer. But even with AI support, the most crucial skill remains human: the ability to communicate personal value.

“For recent graduates, ‘college’ in a job description signals more than an entry-level role. It implies access to internships, career centers, and support networks. Still, many focus on listing tasks instead of outcomes. Did that campus role increase engagement? Did that internship improve team workflows? Employers want to hear about impact — time saved, revenue earned, experiences improved,” she says.

Bailer adds that veteran professionals also face the challenge of translating their experience into business value.

“Veterans bring immense value, too: operational leadership, discipline, and real-time decision-making. The key is translating those strengths into commercial language. AI can support this: summarizing experiences, simulating interviews, and identifying transferable skills,” she says. “As AI reshapes hiring, the most enduring skill remains human: speaking clearly about the value you bring.”

As both new grads and veteran professionals navigate a fast-changing workforce, the ability to pair human strengths with AI-powered tools may prove to be a winning formula in the years ahead.