The job market in the United States is experiencing a notable downturn, with job openings plummeting to a three-year low. This shift comes after a significant hiring boom that followed the pandemic, leading many Americans to reconsider their career paths and explore new opportunities. With the job landscape changing, upscaling skills and understanding emerging technologies like artificial intelligence have become priorities for many job seekers.
"It's an interesting time. We're moving into the summer, and on Google search, what we're actually seeing is that people are looking into 'how do I upscale?'" said Andréa Willis, a Google technology expert.
This trend has spurred a variety of searches, not just for career development but also to gain insight into cutting-edge technologies.
"People are looking into how do I upscale my career, what are some well-paying jobs that I can get into without too much experience or without a degree?" Willis added. "People are really interested in understanding, should I get a job in AI? What does that look like?"
To meet this demand, Google has introduced new educational opportunities, including a course called AI Essentials.
"What this course does is it teaches you foundational AI skills, best practices, how to use it responsibly," explained Willis.
With a structure of five modules that can be completed in under ten hours, the course aims to give learners essential AI skills applicable across various industries. "And then after you take the course, you get a certificate," she noted.
Beyond educational courses, Google is leveraging AI to assist job seekers more broadly. Tools like Google's generative AI, Gemini, can help draft resumes and cover letters.
"You can go to the tool, put in your skills and experience, and ask it to share a draft resume with you," Willis said.
This capability extends to crafting cover letters tailored to specific job postings, streamlining the application process for users.
Google also offers a tool called Interview Warmup, designed to ease the daunting task of preparing for job interviews.
"This is a machine learning-powered tool that helps you practice for job interviews," Willis explained.
Users can simulate interview scenarios and receive instant feedback on their responses, making it a practical tool for honing one's interview skills.
The trends indicate a clear move towards leveraging technology for career advancement during uncertain times.
Willis concluded, "That's another really exciting way that AI can help people who are looking for jobs, and can be assistive."
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube