An increasing number of companies are using AI to interview candidates and streamline their hiring process, from shortlisting applicants all the way up to final decision-making. ResumeBuilder.com found that 43% of companies already have or plan to adopt AI interviews by 2024. (https://www.resumebuilder.com/4-in-10-companies-will-be-using-ai-interviews-by-2024/)
As a result, academics considering leaving their professor jobs must adapt. They need to condense years or decades of experience into concise soundbites that can pass through automated systems like ATS and AI without losing their unique qualities.
However, it is crucial not to lose your unique identity in this process. With many individuals possessing similar soft skills like analysis and communication within academic departments, standing out in the job market becomes essential.
To stand out in this automated landscape and maintain authenticity, there are four key areas to focus on.
- Identify and articulate your soft skills.
Present them uniquely and authentically while highlighting how they fill gaps in the company’s knowledge base.
2. Reflect on projects you have delivered and your contributions.
Secondly, showcase the problems you’ve solved by focusing not just on quantification but also on the quality of your problem-solving approach.
3. Consider what you need to thrive in a role and communicate those needs without sounding desperate or indifferent towards employers’ needs.
Thirdly, what conditions allow you to thrive professionally? Frame it as seeking support for better productivity and results for them.
4. Understand your values and ensure they align with those of prospective organizations.
Many organizations list their core values during recruitment processes.
Additionally, recognize other qualities not part of job descriptions but contribute significantly – these might be crucial in securing a position.
A coach or mentor can help identify valuable assets from both professional backgrounds (such as previous jobs) and personal experiences (like volunteering efforts).
In addition to the core aspects, don’t overlook other qualities beyond your job description that may have contributed to your success or personal growth—such experiences can be crucial selling points during interviews. A coach or mentor can help identify these valuable factors drawn from various stages of life or career transitions.
Adapting to AI-driven recruitment requires showcasing one’s unique strengths, possible through human intervention like coaching or mentoring services – ultimately creating an attractive profile for hiring managers.
While AI plays a significant role in modern hiring practices, there remains a need for presenting one’s best qualities holistically with assistance from someone who can evaluate past accomplishments comprehensively.
This approach will create an appealing profile that attracts hiring managers across various industries.
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Hi, I’m Luna – career pivot coach for mid-career academics/professionals (and research/funding consultant). Places are open in my group coaching course Life After Academia where you’re guided each week with personal growth exercises, a deep dive into your values and what lights you up, building confidence, recovering from grief, and all the emotional work that allows you to step into the next career with a softly-held identity but with a strong sense of self! (of course, CV, cover letter, and interviews covered with accountability).
Next workshop is 5th July about using AI in job searches and when starting a new consultancy business!
Join my Facebook group, The Great Academic Escape, for more content on hope, inspiration and recovery for those making the career pivot from academia 🌙
