AI As Part of the Hiring Conversation
AI has quickly become part of the way many teams work, and naturally, it’s starting to come up more often in hiring conversations, too.
As recruiters, we’re seeing employers take an interest in candidates who have some familiarity with AI and understand how it can support their work. This doesn’t necessarily mean being an AI expert or having a technical background. In many cases, employers are looking for candidates who are comfortable with the tools available and understand when they can make a process more efficient.
For candidates thinking about their next move, AI experience is becoming another skill worth developing and, when relevant, talking about during the hiring process.
AI Experience Can Look Different Across Roles
There isn’t one definition of “AI experience,” especially across creative and consumer industries. How someone uses AI in a marketing role will look very different from how it might support someone working in design, ecommerce, recruiting, finance, or operations.
A marketer might use AI to help organize research or analyze campaign insights, while someone in ecommerce could use it to work through product data or identify patterns. Creative teams may explore AI during early research and ideation, while other functions might use it to simplify repetitive administrative work.
The value comes from understanding how the technology can support the work while still relying on the experience, judgment, and creativity behind it.
Employers Are Interested in How It’s Being Used
Simply listing an AI platform under the skills section of a resume doesn’t say much on its own. Sharing how that platform has actually been used can give employers a much better sense of someone’s experience with AI.
If an AI tool helped streamline a process, organize information, support research, or save time on a repetitive task, that context tells a much stronger story. Candidates can include relevant examples on a resume, but these experiences can also come up naturally during an interview.
There’s a difference between knowing the name of an AI tool and understanding how to use it thoughtfully. As AI becomes more common in the workplace, that distinction is becoming more important.
Curiosity Goes a Long Way
AI is changing quickly, which means there will always be something new to learn. Candidates don’t need experience with every platform or the latest tool to show that they’re comfortable with the technology.
Taking the time to explore the tools that are relevant to a particular field can be a good place to start. This could mean learning how AI is already being used within a current role, experimenting with a new platform, or simply staying informed about how the technology is changing the industry.
For someone early in their AI experience, talking about what they’ve learned and where they see opportunities to use it can be just as meaningful as having a long list of tools on a resume.
The Human Side Still Matters
With so much conversation around AI, it can be easy to assume that every employer is looking for someone who can automate more of their work. What we’re seeing is more nuanced, with employers showing interest in AI skills while continuing to value the human experience behind the work.
The skills that have always mattered still matter. Creativity, communication, industry knowledge, problem-solving, leadership, and good judgment don’t become less valuable when AI enters the picture. If anything, knowing how to pair those skills with new technology can make them even stronger.
In industries built around brands and people, the human perspective remains a big part of the work.
Adding AI to the Career Story
For candidates already using AI, it may be worth taking another look at how that experience is represented professionally. Rather than adding “AI” as a standalone skill, think about where it has actually made a difference in the work.
A resume bullet can mention a process that became more efficient. A portfolio might show how AI supported research or ideation while still making the candidate’s own contribution clear. During an interview, a real example can help explain not only which tools were used, but why they were useful.
As recruiters, we’re always paying attention to the skills employers are asking about and how those needs are changing. AI is becoming part of that conversation, but it’s still one piece of a much bigger picture when evaluating talent.
The goal isn’t to become an AI expert overnight. Staying curious, continuing to learn, and understanding how these tools can complement existing skills and experience can help candidates feel more prepared as AI becomes a bigger part of the workplace.
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