The year 2024 brought significant workplace changes driven by the rise of AI, leaving many workers struggling to adapt. LinkedIn research indicates that over 10% of current job titles didn't exist in 2000, and this rate of change is accelerating. Roles like "chief AI officer" are becoming increasingly common, impacting all levels of organizations. LinkedIn's COO, Daniel Shapero, predicts that in 2025, job roles themselves will change significantly, even without employees changing jobs.
This rapid transformation has left employers uncertain about the AI-related skills they need. Consequently, they're using innovative interview techniques to assess candidates' suitability. A key question emerging in interviews is: "Tell me a story about how you used AI at the workplace or at home." This question helps employers gauge a candidate's comfort level with AI and their potential to contribute to an AI-centric organization.
Shapero notes that there's no single "correct" answer, with examples ranging from planning family trips to summarizing meeting notes and generating creative ideas for customers. The key is demonstrating genuine comfort and familiarity with AI. Employers are increasingly seeking individuals who can readily integrate AI into their daily work, not just at leadership levels but throughout the entire organization.
This new interview trend reflects employers' own uncertainty about the future of work in the age of AI. They recognize that employees who are comfortable and fluent with AI are better equipped to navigate this change, demonstrating greater agility and adaptability.
However, this uncertainty disproportionately affects employees. A LinkedIn survey revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of workers feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI-driven change. Shapero acknowledges that this level of rapid change is unprecedented.
Despite the challenges, the emerging interview trend offers valuable insight: demonstrating the effective use of AI in personal and professional contexts is a significant advantage in the job market. Showing comfort and practical application of AI can be a "cheat code" to impressing potential employers.