What Employers Expect From Job Seekers When It Comes to AI

The rollout of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workforce hasn't been as smooth as most people hoped, suggests new research released by LinkedIn and its parent company 微软 .

Two-thirds of leaders surveyed as part of the research said they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills. Yet, just a quarter of companies expect to offer some sort of AI training this year. Furthermore, only 39% of people who are actually using the technology say they've received any AI training from their employers so far.

The gap between what employers expect from applicants in terms of AI skills and what they're providing their current employees means people are left to train themselves on the new technology. Fortunately, workers are stepping up where employers are falling short.

Three-quarters of the 31,000 people surveyed across 31 countries say they are using AI at work. The majority of them — 78% — said they are using their own tools, though.

While it's good news that people are filling the gap in AI training, the research signals somewhat of a standstill among leaders and companies when it comes to the technology. The vast majority of leaders say their companies need AI to remain competitive, but more than half — 59% — seem stumped when it comes to quantifying how the technology helps productivity. Nearly the same proportion worry their leadership lacks a plan and vision to implement AI.

The confusion among leadership may be sending the wrong message to those lower on the corporate ladder. Despite the admitted importance of AI throughout the survey, roughly half of those surveyed who use the technology say they are reluctant to admit that they use it for their most important work. They also worry it makes them look replaceable.

The reason people are turning to AI while their employers seem ill-equipped to offer support is that they simply have too much work, the research concludes. Roughly half of respondents feel burned out, and about two-thirds say they are struggling with their volume of work.

What Should Job Seekers Take Away From These Findings?

Job seekers should know that hiring managers are looking for AI skills, with many saying they won't hire candidates without them. While that may seem catastrophic to some people who are averse to technology, the truth is that we're still in the early learning stages with AI. As a result, employers are just looking for people who are somewhat familiar with the technology.

What does that mean? Simply using tools like OpenAI 's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot can help you stay competitive.

Dabbling with AI has a tremendous upside, the research suggests. Nearly three-quarters of leaders say they would rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced applicant without them.

If you're a job seeker, you can gain these skills while leveling up your applications and marketability. We've covered this in several past editions of this newsletter, including my conversation earlier this year with AJ Eckstein ?? , who is a Gen Z career expert and founder of The Final Round . You can read that edition of Get Hired by clicking here .

His suggestions involve logging into an online AI service and using the technology to help prepare yourself for interviews, hone your resume or cover letter, rehearse your interview responses, and practice salary negotiations.

There are many online courses that provide a deeper — yet accessible — understanding of AI and how it can help in the workplace. My colleagues over at LinkedIn for Learning have amassed a library of more than 600 courses on AI, for example. You can check some of those out by clicking here .

The good news is that some simple AI exercises or time spent in an online course can make you one of the most competitive candidates in the job market. The best part is that familiarizing yourself with AI can be done in the comfort of your home or wherever you have access to the internet.

We are in the second week of our special podcast series on ageism! This week, I'm talking with Janine Vanderburg , founder and former director of Changing the Narrative, a leading anti-ageism initiative . We dive into the do’s and don'ts for getting hired as an older worker.

A transcript of the conversation is available by clicking here . You can listen to the episode above or on Apple Podcasts by clicking here .

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