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Employers are hiring AI over people: How to stay in-demand as a job seeker

So, I was reading about how employers are trying to leverage AI more instead of hiring actual people–especially young people and new college grads.

Uh oh.

That, of course, got me thinking: How can people stay competitive against not just people, but also the machines that are starting to replace them? How can we demonstrate value to the employers and people with hiring say-so in a way that yells “YOU SHOULD REALLY HIRE ME”?

Well in true Brandon fashion, I did some digging, reflecting, and strategizing. Here’s what I came up with…

1. Develop Human-Centric Skills (Those Soft/Transferable Skills)

AI can process data and perform repetitive tasks really well, but they’re still not at iRobot levels…yet. And even they lacked some pretty core human traits. Empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence remain human strengths.

  • Focus on problem-solving and adaptability in fast-changing environments.
  • Emphasize collaboration—show how you’ve led teams, built consensus, or managed relationships.
  • Storytelling is key. Use it to demonstrate how you’ve solved problems creatively or improved team dynamics.

💡 Example: In a job application or interview, highlight moments when you adapted to unforeseen challenges or went beyond the technical solution to build trust and rapport or inspire others.

2. Learn to Work with AI (It’s Not Us VS Them–For Now)

Tech is useful and employers love candidates who embrace technology rather than fear it.

  • Get comfortable with relevant AI tools (e.g., AI for marketing automation, content creation, data analysis, or instructional design).
  • Frame yourself as a “tech-savvy collaborator” who can integrate AI to optimize workflows, not replace human touch.
  • Upskill continuously. Focus on in-demand tech skills like automation, data literacy, or AI-enhanced decision-making.

💡 Example: If you’ve used ChatGPT to create first drafts, analyze customer feedback, or improve workflows, share that experience! Employers want to see practical use cases.

3. Focus on Strategic Thinking & Innovation

AI excels at executing tasks but lacks the ability to strategically plan or innovate from scratch.

  • Show how you’ve contributed to long-term planning, launched innovative solutions, or driven strategic change.
  • Highlight your curiosity and continuous improvement mindset. Employers are looking for people who challenge the status quo and think bigger.

💡 Example: “While working on [project], I identified a gap in [process] and introduced [new solution], which led to [tangible result].”

4. Build a Personal Brand & Network

Brand. And then develop your brand. And then develop it some more! Having a strong personal brand makes you stand out in the job market.

  • Share your expertise and insights on platforms like LinkedIn or industry-specific communities.
  • Network strategically—build connections with thought leaders, recruiters, and peers in your field.
  • Be authentic and visible. Employers value candidates with a unique perspective and strong presence.

💡 Example: Post articles, share projects, or engage in discussions about how your field is evolving with AI. This shows you’re informed and invested in the future.

5. Demonstrate Results & ROI

The job seekers I coach hear me say this all the time: Ultimately what employers care about is that you can move the needle. They want people who can show clear impact and value creation.

  • Use your resume and interviews to highlight your achievements (cost savings, efficiency improvements, revenue growth, program success, etc.).
  • Position yourself as someone who makes data-driven decisions and delivers measurable outcomes.

💡 Example: Instead of saying, “I managed social media,” say, “I used AI analytics to increase social engagement by 35% and contributed to a 10% sales boost in six months.”

6. Be a Lifelong Learner

The workforce is evolving, y’all, and staying relevant means learning and evolving with it.

  • Take online courses, attend webinars, and earn certifications in emerging technologies or fields.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry trends and future skill demands.
  • Show curiosity and adaptability—employers appreciate candidates who are excited about change.

💡 Resources: Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or industry-specific learning hubs.

7. Prioritize Ethical Thinking and Human Values

In a world driven by AI, ethics and human-centric leadership are becoming critical.

  • If you’ve worked on projects where you balanced technology with user experience, ethics, or community impact, showcase that experience.
  • Highlight your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion (YES DEI matters and I don’t care what anybody says to the contrary), and user-centered design.

💡 Example: “I ensured our training program incorporated diverse perspectives and addressed accessibility, helping us achieve [specific outcome].”

It’s getting tricky out there, but we can still win. Keep evolving with the times, keep getting those apps out, and keep networking. We’ll get there!

🔥 Feeling stuck or ready for your next big move? Join The Brave Club, where bold career changers and go-getters come together to grow, learn, and level up! This group program is packed with expert career coaching, live demonstrations, and an inspiring community that’s here to help you crush your goals and build the career you want—on your terms.

💬 What you’ll get:

  • Weekly group coaching calls with actionable advice
  • Tools to help you build confidence and stay focused
  • A community of brave, like-minded professionals who get it

👉 Learn more and join us: The Brave Club

The next cycle starts Tuesday, February 11th! Join today for only $129 to reserve your spot. Registration is closing soon so let’s get to it!

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Early Registration ends tonight!

Today’s the day—early registration for The Brave Club closes tonight!

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to invest in yourself and your job search, this is it. 

Why wait any longer to:
✔ Gain clarity on what’s next for your career.
✔ Build the confidence to go after roles that excite you.
✔ Surround yourself with a supportive community that’s cheering you on.

Job searching is hard enough without the right tools, strategies, and support. That’s why The Brave Club was created—to help you stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real progress.

💡 Again: Early registration ends at midnight, and with it, your chance to join at the best rate.

👉 Click here to sign up before it’s too late!

You’ve come so far—don’t let this opportunity slip by. Take the leap, join the club, and let’s get crackin’ on achieving the results you’re after!

~B

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Now’s the time to get those apps out!

Here we are in mid-late January, so now is a GREAT time to get active in your job search!

And…job searching is hard. Very hard.

It’s easy to start questioning if all the effort is even worth it—especially when you’re facing it alone and dealing with rejections and ghosting.

But what if you could really learn how to start getting better results in your search?

What if, instead of spinning your wheels, you had:
✔ A clear plan for what to do next.
✔ The confidence to go after roles that truly excite you.
✔ A supportive group of people who are right there with you, cheering you on.

Well, that’s exactly what The Brave Club is all about: Finding your way forward through all the confusion.

With just a few days left to snag Early Registration pricing (ends this Friday!), there’s no better time to kick it into gear.

Wanna know what some of the benefits were according to people who joined? Check it out:

  1. Identifying your transferable skills
  2. Articulating your short- and long-term goals
  3. Describing and emphasizing the impact you’ve had
  4. Writing a compelling resume
  5. Negotiating
  6. Navigating LinkedIn, cover letter writing, and networking
  7. And more!

👉 Ready to join? Save your spot here.

You’ve already shown a whole lotta courage by facing the challenges in your journey, so join the club!

You’ll fit right in.

Can’t wait to see you inside.

~Brandon

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You can keep your career imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome.

General lack of confidence.

Doubt.

Fear of the unknown.

A lot of us have dealt with–or are still dealing with–some sort of internalized challenge that has gotten in the way of our career progress.

And it sucks!

For those of you who know what I’m talking about, keep reading. I have a lesson I want to share with you that has helped me immensely.

In early March 2024 I was invited to a panel hosted at my alma mater to talk about how my Black identity has impacted my career trajectory.

It had me reflecting on things I don’t always directly think about. Definitely not recently. Lemme explain real quick.

I was a STEM student (still feel like I’m a STEM person deep down, but that’s another story). I majored in math and computer science at UC Santa Barbara. In the majority of my classes for my majors, I was the only black student. At most, I remember there being 1 or 2 others in some of them.

I remember being stared at when I walked into the classrooms. It was like one of those “Uhhh– oh snap I’m staring at him and he saw me” looks. Lol.

And get this! When I first started in computer science I didn’t even know what it actually was. But my peers definitely did. Many of them went to high schools that taught CS. Mine definitely did not, so I was kinda coming in behind.

Put all that together and what did it make? Say it with me–Imposter Syndrome! Still, I got pretty good.

Fast forward to now and I coach people on how to successfully navigate the job search process through the wonderful world that is Be Gallant Coaching. When I take a look at my fellow coaches, or when I’m in a space with other coaches, what do I see?

I’m almost invariably the youngest and the only black person. I’ve even had people point it out to me.

I still feel imposter syndrome from time to time.

BUT!

In that, there’s a lesson I’ve picked up over time that’s helped me make more progress faster. And it started back in my computer science and math days as an undergrad.

Ready for this? Here it is…

I can keep my imposter syndrome. I don’t have to defeat it or vanquish it.

As long as I remember it’s not allowed to make or influence my real world decisions. 

Because guess what, yall? I’ve helped LOADS of people take the next step in their career.

I’m talking land jobs, pivot industries, negotiate better offers. The works.

I’ve empowered lots of people and the vast majority of them are BIPOC and/or underrepresented.

The messages things like my imposter syndrome tell me aren’t actually real. I feel them. They come from real things and experiences…but they’re not real.

So if you deal with imposter syndrome or lack of confidence or fear or whatever your “gremlin” is. Cool.

You can actually keep it. You don’t have to utterly vanquish it at all.

Just remember that it has to sit in the back seat, and under no circumstances does it get to touch the steering wheel.

Take some imperfect action today!

It’s time to get moving on your career goals, and if job searching is on the horizon for you, it’s time for you to identify your brand.

Your brand is what sets you apart from a competitive pool of people who are just as qualified as you are.

It’s what helps employers understand the transferability, value, and impact of your skills.

If you don’t know what your brand is right now, sign up below for info on how you can start to build it today.

Your skills and experience are valuable and transferable, especially if you’re coming from the education or non-profit worlds.

Stay Brave!

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There’s 1 ingredient you’re missing when you apply.

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Applying for jobs is stressful.

It just is.

And it’s not always easy to break through, especially with the job market being as competitive as it is these days.

I’ve talked to dozens of job seekers just over the last couple months alone, and pretty much all of them have expressed difficulties landing interviews.

And…

While it’s challenging to secure those interviews, there’s something that’s missing from the huge majority of job seekers’ approach to applying for jobs.

THE ONE THING YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATIONS COMPLETE

No, I’m not talking about tailoring your resume (speaking of which, is that a waste of time?).

I’m not even talking about the most common deficiency I see in people’s resumes (hint: it has to do with outcomes).

So, what then?

What I’m talking about is following up. The one thing you need to start doing is following up on your applications.

And, yes, I said your applications, not your interviews (although you should be following up after those, too).

That begs the question…

WITH WHO?

You need to put yourself in front of people with what I call “hiring say-so.” Generally speaking, that’s recruiters and hiring managers.

Find out who the hiring manager or recruiter is for the role and let them know you’re in their candidate pool and excited to chat about your fit.

And you should do this with every single one of your applications.

Yup you read that right, don’t play yourself! Follow up with somebody involved in the hiring process every time you apply for something.

I like to call this animating your application. When you just submit your app, you only exist on paper (or the screen but you know what I mean).

That’s inanimate and lifeless. Worse–it’s easy to miss, given all the other submissions from other candidates.

You want to engage people. Reach out to them and let them know you’re actually there and eager to meet with them before the process moves on without you.

This is the secret gravy.

Drizzle this secret gravy into your application process, and watch things change for the better!

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The Real Reason Some Of Us Hate Being Asked “So What Do You Do?”

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So there you are, on a cool little outing with your friends: vibin’, slidin’, dippin’, glidin’ around like a feather. Cocktail in hand, you’re making conversation with your best friend’s new co-worker when they look you in the eyes and ask, “So what do you do?”

*Record scratch*

You can’t believe they had the audacity. The impudence. The GUMPTION. Why would they ruin your vibe with THAT question?

You look at them, they look at you:

In your mind, you push them. In reality, you give a quietly frustrated answer and transform into this meme:

Ever been there before? Because I have. 

It sucks.

There are definitely many reasons why someone might hate this question, but there’s one in particular that I’ve come across several times now with people I’ve spoken to, and it really stands out to me:

They’re not proud of their job.

It’s more than just not liking it. They find it uninteresting. Uninspiring. In their mind, their work and impact are insignificant.

And because they really feel that way, they assume others will too when told about it.

So being asked that question can feel dreadful, embarrassing, sad. Not because what you do is embarrassing or sad or dreadful, but because you feel that way about it for one reason or another.

Maybe because it’s boring to you. Or because you don’t feel respected by your co-workers, supervisors, students, customers, or whoever. You probably put out high quality work, but maybe your job doesn’t allow you the opportunity to have the impact you want to have. And honestly, I can relate. When I worked in Higher Education, I felt respected by my peers, but I didn’t feel particularly proud of the impact I was having. It didn’t start off that way, but so much of my work started to feel mundane to me over time. I couldn’t stand being asked about my work by friends, family, or new acquaintances.

If you find yourself feeling a little bit annoyed when someone asks you about your job, I have a task for you. Ask yourself this question:

Why?

Go sit somewhere quiet, pull out your favorite wooden pencil (are those a thing of the past now?), and write out some of your thoughts on why you feel that way. If you find that it’s at least in part due to the fact that answering “So, what do you do?” makes you feel kinda small, then I have another question for you to ask yourself:

What about your job or career makes you feel that way?

Do you feel embarrassingly underpaid? Does it feel ridiculously mundane? What’s the pain?

Most of us want to do work that we feel is important and fulfilling. And we want to be able to make a real living doing that work. Is that too much to ask?!

Nah, of course not. Believe it or not, there are real people that don’t mind being asked about what they do for a living. There are people who actually feel excited by it! And I would bet that for many of them it’s because they don’t feel like they’re doing unimpactful work. They’re actually inspired by some of their daily tasks. They wake up in the morning at peace with the work day ahead. They feel good about where they’re at.

So it’s possible. I’ve seen it, experienced it myself, and worked with others who have too. But it can be challenging to get there. If you’ve read this far, I’d guess that you’re already well aware of that.

And I have some news for you: I want to help you get to a place where talking about what you do makes you feel excited.

Schedule a call with me and let’s talk (CLICK HERE). It’s free, it’s one small positive action, and you’ll feel good about it. Let’s start you on the path to being able to answer “So, what do you do?” without the stress and frustration.

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