AI has been a concern for many years, however ChatGPT AI tools have many job seekers panicking these days, and rightfully so. About 66% of managers say they would gladly replace employees with AI tools if the work was comparable, according to a survey by Beautiful.ai of 3,000 adult Americans in management positions. This is another reason to update your resume “before” you actually need it.
Not only are employers looking to save money, but are tired of the new trends of quiet-quitting, employees quitting their so-called dream job after only working a couple of months, failing to show up for interviews, or even work the next day.
Have no fear. The battle over AI tools and their impact on the workforce has only started. According to Niki Jorgensen, Director of HR service operations for Insperity, “Even with the latest upgrade release of ChatGPT, managers realize that AI is not yet advanced enough to replace most jobs as many full-time roles require critical thinking, judgment and emotional intelligence.” And I would even add effective communication. These skills cannot be fully replaced by AI. Meanwhile, many companies have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars already using it.
Here are 5 things you can do to stay ahead and keep your job, or at least find another satisfying one.
1. Avoid Complacency
You may have settled on just learning software that’s necessary right now for your current role, and it may be something your company has been using for years although there are similar and later versions out there. Learn them! For one of our outplacement projects, we helped a team of project managers of a well-known tech firm navigate around this challenge, since all they knew was that firm’s software. Develop yourself and stay up to date with the most advanced tools. Especially project managers, because AI has already been coming for you.
2. Embrace it
This technology can assist you with productivity, efficiency and cost savings. Just last month, I had a client tell me how he implemented it for his operations department, and it’s proven highly effective at saving their customers time in getting the information they need. It’s also projected to save the company thousands of dollars this year alone.
3. Learn and Adapt
Find out what areas of your daily responsibilities may be automated or improved with AI for your industry. Learn new skills in data science, analytics and human development. Also similar to the previous example, collaborate with subject matter experts on where and how AI can bring value to your organization.
4. Be Flexible
Learn how to do more than one role at your company. In fact, that’s how I transitioned my career to IT years ago for a major telecom company. I was in customer service and at least twice a week, I would go over to our network operations and shadow someone. At first, I just wanted to learn what was behind it all. Eventually I was connecting satellite conferences for the government. As technology grew, I stayed abreast of the latest and eventually made it to senior level.
5. Keep relationships positive and your network current
Whether it’s upper management, your clients or business partners, develop and maintain strong relationships. This way, if AI does take over your job, you can be assigned to another one. A role that may require more of those soft skills I mentioned earlier. And don’t let your network dry up. Stay in touch on a regular basis. Don’t wait until 5 or 10 years later when you’re looking for a job to contact Rob (or whomever). He may have retired or be self-employed now.
In any case, remember AI is manmade. The tips above will help you to safeguard your career.