How To Compete With AI in the Entry-Level Job Market -- Experts Weigh In
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and increased automation in the 21st century has left many job-hunting members of Gen Z feeling outmatched. Per reportage by Forbes, many recent college graduates are struggling to find entry-level jobs, and most of them are placing the blame on AI.
Specifically, these grads have made the case that AI and its ability to perform certain junior-level tasks — data entry, basic accounting, copywriting, content writing, customer service, social media coordination and more — are diminishing the number of entry-level positions that Gen Z are looking for.
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All of this begs the question: How can you compete with AI for entry-level jobs? MoneyLion consulted a number of AI and financial experts to find out.
Do What AI Can’t
Entry-level workers need to show that they can do what AI cannot, according to Philip Huthwaite, CEO at AI-powered learning technology company 5app.
“This means demonstrating your soft skills, such as communication, strategic vision and decision making, which AI hasn't mastered yet,” he said. “Many hiring managers are commenting that younger jobseekers are struggling with soft skills, so taking the time to develop, for instance, professional communication skills will make you better suited to a wider range of entry-level roles.”
In other words, when applying for an entry-level position, highlight the things you can do that AI cannot: business strategy, interpersonal communication, making hard choices, setting goals and achieving them and building customer relationships.
Don’t Be Afraid of AI
AI is likely here to stay. As such, Huthwaite suggested that jobseekers don’t live in fear of AI, but accept that it’s part of the cultural and technological landscape now.
“Some entry-level workers are burying their heads in the sand and pretending AI doesn't exist, but the fact is that it's a key part of many entry-level roles, such as data entry or admin processes,” he suggested. “Demonstrating that you're comfortable with mainstream AI tools, such as ChatGPT or Claude, can help you stand out from the competition.”
Show That You Can Make AI More Effective
Huthwaite’s point about not fearing AI led directly to working with AI.
“My top tip here would be to show how you can use AI as a sidekick to make your processes more efficient, without the final output feeling like AI,” he said. “The ability to edit AI-generated copy or images to make them feel more human and natural is a crucial skill at the moment, as is the ability to interpret, fact-check and quality check content produced by AI.”
Jake Jafet of MKB Media Solutions concurred.
“I don't think it's productive to compete with AI as a new entrant,” he suggested. “The better question is what you bring to make the AI more effective.”
As Jafet explained, “The first item I assess each candidate for hiring for our media group has been whether or not they can direct a process they didn’t create. Those that can’t describe how they would provide prompts, [then] review and correct AI outputs are already at a disadvantage irrespective of their resume.
“The value to a media organization today of a 22-year-old who can run a streamlined AI-based content operation and identify when the machine made a mistake is greater than someone with double the experience who can’t.”
The Bottom Line: Don’t View AI as a Competitor
Perhaps the most important strategy for entry-level job applicants is to take all of the above — be proficient at what AI can’t do, don’t fear AI and show that you can actually make AI more effective — and combine them all into a single ethos: AI is not your competitor. Instead, it is an advanced tool employers want you to be able to utilize with ease and efficiency.
Amazon AI security author Pranav Bhatnagar reiterated this, stating that his advice is to not compete with AI at being AI. Instead, “compete at being human. AI is getting very good at repetitive tasks, basic research, data processing, and generating content. What it still struggles with is judgment, relationship building, communication, trust, creativity in real world situations, and understanding people.
“My most useful tip is this: Become the person who knows how to use AI effectively, not the person who ignores it. A young marketer who knows how to use AI, a salesperson who knows how to use AI, or a recruiter who knows how to use AI will often outperform someone doing the same job without it.”
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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