You’ve likely heard that AI is the future of the workforce. However, we rarely hear about what that future looks like in practice. It’s important to acknowledge how artificial intelligence will affect various industries. More importantly, because technology and digital industries are increasingly volatile, leveraging AI to your advantage can help you find professional opportunities.
If you’re looking for a change in career, AI is a choice to consider. Because the field is so new, you may be qualified for some jobs with little to no experience. But you’ll need determination, grit, and a solid understanding of artificial intelligence. Learning how to get a job in AI could open the door to many career options.
What exactly is a job in AI, and why pursue one?
A job in AI involves working with technology designed to imitate human intelligence. AI needs human input and instruction, creating a demand for AI training and engineering jobs. These roles use coding systems to process information and data to recognize patterns and replicate results.
A 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund concluded that 40% of jobs across the world will be impacted by AI. Industries can choose to either adapt and use AI as a tool or risk becoming obsolete. The idea of AI technology replacing human skills can be intimidating. That’s why employees have to increase adaptability and embrace change.
Jobs in technology can be a compelling option when switching careers. If you’re deciding between your current job and seeking out a new one, there are some benefits to careers in tech. Technological aptitude is a high-income skill that’s becoming increasingly more valuable. As a result, it may provide job security and stability.
Of course, it’s also exciting knowing you’re helping to shape the future of tech. If you find machine learning and building programs interesting, you’ll likely enjoy developing the advancement of AI.
Types of AI jobs
With the wide variety of jobs in AI, the possibilities can be overwhelming.
Because AI programs are designed to mimic human intelligence, they need humans to develop them and feed them information. Many opportunities in AI involve training neural networks to process big data sets the way a human would learn. These machines recognize patterns and replicate behavior.
Here’s a quick overview of common AI job opportunities:
- Machine learning engineer: Machine learning engineers are programmers who design and create AI systems capable of learning. They’re also referred to as ML engineers. AI and machine learning roles require knowledge of computer science. They also require proficiency in programming languages like Python or Java.
- Natural language processing (NLP) engineer: Natural language processing involves teaching AI systems to read and respond to language. NLP engineers often work with chatbots.
- Data engineer: Data engineers and data analysts are responsible for performing operations and creating AI models. They use data analysis to process data structures and feed data sets to machine learning programs.
- AI research scientist: Research scientists work on developing and advancing AI systems. Working as a data scientist is a common role for researchers. Data science involves using statistical analysis to solve complex issues.
- Computer vision engineer: Computer vision engineers specialize in teaching AI programs how to process visual information. This is an essential role for AI art programs.
- AI ethicist: AI ethicists prioritize ethical design of artificial intelligence. They often work to prevent bias in AI answers and ensure they reflect societal values.
- AI product manager: It’s an AI product manager’s job to figure out what consumers want in an AI product. They identify consumer needs and brainstorm solutions.
- AI prompt engineer: Prompt engineering requires no coding knowledge, which makes it great for those with no experience. Prompt engineering simply involves tweaking AI responses and improving human-to-AI conversations.
- AI content writer or editor: AI content writing and editing are other great opportunities for those without coding knowledge. Content writers and editors tweak responses to prompts.
How to get a job in AI with or without a degree
Whether you have a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or no degree, finding job opportunities in artificial intelligence is possible. That said, you have to be persistent and willing to learn something new.
There are a few skills AI professionals should possess. AI careers require excellent problem-solving skills and analytical skills. Going into artificial intelligence, you should have a curious and innovative mindset. This means you’re always ready to tackle new challenges. Having the right mindset for a job can be equally, or potentially, more important than degrees or certifications.
Exploring your options
There are plenty of options for careers in AI. Exploring those options can help you find a job you love. Evaluate your qualifications, hard skills, and strengths as an employee. A personal SWOT analysis is an efficient way to find out those strengths.
Ask yourself which AI-related roles in the job market would best suit your skills. If you’re emotionally intelligent, for instance, you may understand consumer needs well as a product manager. If your skills are more technical, working as an AI engineer or developer could be the right fit for you.
A career path that matches your skill set is important for job fulfillment. Working in a new role that fits your strengths can be exciting, but if technology isn’t a passion of yours, you may grow restless. Think about your future happiness when weighing your options.
Skill development and education
Once you decide what job options you’d like to pursue, you’ll need to commit to skill development and upskilling. Educate yourself on how artificial intelligence works. Dive deep with a curious mind and learn any necessary software development or data analysis skills.
Familiarize yourself with industry terminology and popular programs for developing AI and storing code. There are plenty of videos and training courses available online. Knowing the basics will make a great impression even if you’re not applying for a highly technical role.
Let potential employers know which programs you’ve become familiar with. ChatGPT, Scale AI, Azure AI Studio, Scribe, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini are among the most popular AI programs. Listing these in your resume or cover letter will let employers know your capabilities.
Crafting your resume and cover letter
To land a job in artificial intelligence, you’ll need a great cover letter and a resume that stands out. Creating a resume filled with your work experience is straightforward. But how do you craft a resume when your experience is lacking?
If you’ve held no previous roles in AI, you can fill your resume with personal projects. You can also include a section with your hard skills and soft skills that make you an ideal candidate for a position in AI. For example, you can mention that you have a keen attention to detail and can easily spot errors in code.
Your cover letter should focus on why you’re interested in and passionate about artificial intelligence. Mention something you appreciate about the company you’re applying to in particular. Perhaps you admire their work ethics or their approach to language processing research. The function of a cover letter is to let your enthusiasm and qualifications do the talking.
Building an AI portfolio
Make a portfolio of your work to showcase your experience with artificial intelligence. This will show potential employers that you have hands-on experience, even if it comes from personal passion projects.
You can display projects such as:
- Creating a style guide for GPT answers
- Software or apps you’ve coded if you have experience as a software engineer
- Task automation models
- An AI model you’ve taught to learn and predict number sequences
- A spam email detector you’ve built
- A chatbot you’ve taught to imitate human responses
A portfolio will help to increase your opportunities and aid in your career development. You can create a professional-appearing portfolio for free using a website such as WordPress. Recruiters appreciate the ability to peruse your work without having to ask for examples.
Networking in the AI community
AI professionals may have connections to internships or entry-level jobs at startups. Connecting with these professionals and recruiters could land you a role in the field of AI. Networking events or social media sites like LinkedIn are the best places to look for networking opportunities.
You may even find mentorship where you can learn more about the industry. If someone loves what they do, they’ll often find enjoyment in discussing it with others.
Teaching yourself AI skills
You can do deep learning at your own pace with the convenience of the internet. Online courses from sites such as Coursera teach computer science fundamentals and technical skills. For example, you could learn AI development and machine learning. A coding boot camp can teach you software development. In addition to paid courses, there are free options.
TensorFlow is an excellent open resource for machine learning and artificial intelligence. You can also use OpenAI and ChatGPT to better understand data science and AI. Experimenting with different models teaches you how various AI frameworks operate
Gaining practical experience in AI
Real-world experience can elevate your value as a candidate when applying for AI jobs. Relevant experience is important to hiring managers whether you’re applying as an AI engineer or a data scientist.
If you’re wondering how to get a job in AI with no experience, start doing projects on your own. Personal projects are a great option if you’re unable to get an entry-level position in AI or a related field. You can also contribute to open-source projects and share them on LinkedIn.
Building chatbots or custom GPT models can improve your qualifications. Show employers you can handle big data sets and complex projects to impress them and increase your chances of getting hired.
Common AI interview questions and preparation tips
After getting an opportunity, you might land a virtual interview or phone interview to see if you’re a good fit. To prepare for an interview with an artificial intelligence company, you should know the type of questions the interviewer may ask. Questions will likely focus on your knowledge of different types of AI and deep learning.
You might receive questions about your work experience or specific knowledge. For example, if you’re learning how to get a job in generative AI, you’ll probably get some technical questions. The interviewer may ask you about the difference between generative AI and predictive AI. When applying for a developer position, you might be quizzed on your knowledge of coding languages like Python.
Prepare for the interview by practicing your answers and building your confidence. You’ll want to think of questions to ask at the end of the interview. This demonstrates a genuine interest in the position. You should also research the company beforehand and become familiar with the role’s responsibilities.
Another great way to prepare for your interview is by picking out something professional to wear. What you wear to the job interview can impact your self-perception and how interviewers perceive you. Clothing can boost self-esteem. A 2023 study found dressing well can increase workplace productivity. So put on your best attire and remind yourself of the value you bring to employers.
How coaching can help you get a job in AI
Figuring out how to get a job in AI may seem like a challenge, but it’s one you don’t have to face alone. Coaching sessions help you discover your strengths and create an action plan to achieve your goals.
Connect with a BetterUp coach to help you market yourself, develop professional skills, and seek out new opportunities with confidence.
-1.png)
