Will AI Replace you, or Make you More Valuable ?(AI Skills Part 2)

Part 2: Working with AI — Even Before You Land the Job

In Part One, we explored the growing impact of AI in the workplace — what’s vulnerable, what’s still uniquely human, and how people seeking to develop (or save!) their career, can get ahead by leaning into skills AI can’t easily replicate.

Yet, there’s another part of the story: learning to work with AI.

You don’t need to be a developer or data scientist to get started. In fact, many of the most in-demand AI-related skills are about using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Midjourney well — and showing others that you know how to do it

In the past few years, there’s been a flood of AI tools — ChatGPT, Midjourney, and swarms of industry-specific platforms. What began as a novelty now feels closer to necessity.

This post aims to:

• Understand what AI fluency means in today’s job market

• Learn practical ways to apply tools like ChatGPT

• Build visible evidence of your skills — even before you land your next role

AI Fluency: It’s Not Just Techies Who Need It

Employers are increasingly looking for people who:

• Know when to use AI — and when not to

• Can craft prompts that get good results

• Understand context and nuance, not just outputs

• Spot errors, bias, or shallow thinking in AI-generated work

This mix of prompting, critical thinking, and ethical awareness is now part of what makes someone “AI-literate.” You don’t need to do it all perfectly — but showing curiosity, experimentation, and judgment goes a long way.

Try It Yourself: Practical Ideas to Build Confidence

While you don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI well, you do need a bit of curiosity, discernment, and a willingness to experiment. One of the best ways to learn is by doing. So how can you start using AI tools in a way that builds confidence and showcases what you bring to the table?

.Start with small, real-world tasks:

• Use ChatGPT or Claude to brainstorm titles for a LinkedIn post, workshop, or something that involves planning and scheduling.

• Ask it to help you structure a tricky email or application

• Ask it to turn a detailed report  into a checklist or set of next steps you can actually use.

Look for places where your judgment adds value:

• Tone and empathy - Is it all phrased in a way that feels supportive and human — or too cold and robotic?

• Relevance (what should be kept in, what’s waffle?)

• Nuance (are there gaps that AI missed, is the tone too generic?)

• You can combine your own strengths alongside the tool's speed and efficiency. For example:

Prompt: “Rewrite this job description summary in plain English for someone returning to work after a career break.”

Human edge: You know what feels accessible, respectful, and motivating. The AI just speeds up your first draft.

This kind of practice helps you build technical fluency, and the confidence to take the lead, so you are using AI as your assistant, not your replacement.

Make It Visible: How to Showcase Your AI Skills

Once you’ve started using AI for small tasks, it’s time to show what you’re learning — even if you’re not in a new role yet.

Some simple ways to start:

• Post your process online, e.g. LinkedIn: “I used ChatGPT to help draft this article and spotted where I needed to humanise the tone — here’s what I learned.”

• Add AI-assisted projects to your CV or portfolio: “Created workshop materials using AI-supported research and planning prompts.”

• Mention in interviews: “I’ve been actively using AI to support my own learning and job search — for example, generating ideas, summarising articles, and refining written content.”

What Employers Notice — Even if You’re Not in the Role Yet

Employers aren’t likely to be hiring people just because they can use AI. They’re hiring people who can use it well — with awareness, judgment, and initiative.

That means they’re looking for candidates who:

• Know when AI is useful — and when it’s not

• Can edit and improve AI output to match audience and purpose

• Understand the bigger picture (ethics, bias, clarity, tone)

Even if you’re not in a formal job right now, you can still:

• Take initiative (e.g. volunteer to help improve outreach emails or resource summaries using AI tools)

• Share reflections and examples online (what worked, what didn’t?)

• Build small, real-world projects that demonstrate your judgment, voice, and adaptability

If you are looking for support during this process, ELE can help. We support people who are aiming to actively develop their careers by helping them build and demonstrate new, job-relevant skills. Whether it’s learning how to collaborate with AI tools, taking on a defined project role in a simulated team, or getting guidance on how to translate your past experience into something future-focused — we create safe, supported spaces to try things out and build credibility.

If you’re someone looking to pivot into a more flexible or better-paid career path, you may already have the human strengths needed. What you may need now is a chance to apply new tools and showcase your value in a new context. That’s what we’re here for.