Reskilling, Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are coming to your job. So, the word ‘replacement’ is ringing in your ears now and then with each layoff. Welcome to a modern workforce. Powered by AI and strategic by humans if the use is right. However, there is a hidden insight to this. And, it madly calls for ‘upskilling’ and ‘reskilling’ instead of mourning over layoffs. Literally in the AI era, these words feel more familiar than before.
To make all the difference when AI is there, what do you need? Your career redirection, reskilling, upskilling, and rethinking are the best course of action.
In this blog, we shed light on how AI and automation are changing the job landscape. After that, there is a difference between reskilling & upskilling. Thirdly, high-demand skills in the AI era. Yet, there is more to unpack in this blog.
So, tighten your seat belt and enjoy this blog.
How AI and Automation are Changing the Job Landscape?
AI and automation are not only about machines taking over human jobs, but they are also about the changes in the nature of work. Regular, monotonous tasks are being automated to allow for more jobs that require creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and flexibility.
While it is true that some industries are getting smaller, there is a trend of new sectors rapidly growing, such as AI product design, data analytics, digital marketing, human-AI collaboration, and even the jobs that are not there yet. Losing jobs is not the main problem the future holds; the real challenge is job transformation.
Reskilling vs. Upskilling
There is a common misconception that ‘reskilling’ and ‘upskilling’ are the same. Not true. To clear the air around these two concepts, we have a myth-breaking difference table for you.
| Aspect | Reskilling | Upskilling |
| Definition | Learning completely new skills to switch to a different role or industry. | Enhancing existing skills to grow or advance in your current role. |
| Purpose | Career transition or reinvention. | Stay competitive or achieve promotion within the same field. |
| Scope | Broad: Often involves a full skill set for a new domain. | Narrower: Focused on improving specific aspects of current expertise. |
| Timeframe | Medium to long-term (6–12 months or more). | Shorter-term (weeks to months). |
| Cost | Moderate to high (certifications, courses, workshops). | Low to moderate (online tutorials, webinars, workshops). |
| Outcome | Ability to enter a new role or industry. | Increased efficiency, higher responsibility, or promotion in current role. |
| Examples | – Retail manager learns data analytics to move into HR tech. – Teacher learns UX design to switch to tech design roles. | – Digital marketer learns AI-powered SEO tools. – Accountants learn automated bookkeeping software. |
| Best For | Individuals facing layoffs, career shifts, or entering growth industries. | Professionals wanting to maintain relevance or climb the career ladder. |
| Risk | Higher risk (new role may be unfamiliar, learning curve). | Lower risk (building on existing expertise). |
| Mindset Needed | Open-minded, adaptable, and willing to start fresh. | Growth-focused, detail-oriented, improvement-driven. |
High-Demand Skills in the AI Era
According to Microsoft, these are some of the top in-demand skills in the AI Era that can bring success in your journey:
- AI & Data Literacy, Science and Analytics
- AI and Machine Learning (ML)
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- Digital Communication
- Face-face Communication
- Marketing
- Critical Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Creativity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Leadership
- Life-long learning
Practical Steps to Reskill in AI Era
- Current job market research: Job markets are changing like the wind’s direction. This unpredictability should keep you on your toes. So, perform current job market research from every known and unknown source. Remember, your research is your sword. Especially when it comes to hunting for a career-changing job.
- Identifying strengths: Usually, people understand this as, ‘what you are good at?’. It is a half-truth and a desperate attempt to get somewhere. The full disclosure: ‘Would you see or enjoy yourself doing the same work for the next 5-10 years?’ The answer to this question reflects your critical and deep thinking. Later on, this answer becomes your introductory strength before the skill sets.
- Identifying future career paths: Through experts’ research, you cannot only identify but also navigate career paths. So, look into them.
- Pick the easiest-to-learn, highly demanding skill: This step can give you an immense amount of self-confidence. So, if you can quickly grasp an easy-to-learn, highly demanding skill. Then, you can work more on hardcore skills as well.
- Choose your suitable learning path: All learning experiences are individual. If person A is comfortable with face-to-face learning, then person A won’t be able to concentrate on online learning. Hence, what is suitable for you, can be easily learnable by you.
- Apply your learnings practically: More than learning skills, applying them is important. Applying skills makes you visible, not generic. For example, a developer signs a 3-month project with a tech company. So, the developer’s skills and work become more visible. Thereafter, the developer can chat and request references on LinkedIn.
- Portfolio-building: Portfolio-building shows your detailing and communication skills. Underlining your achievements and projects taken puts everything into perspective.
- Networking: If you don’t know who’s who in the industry, then you are lagging behind. Therefore, networking helps you to stay updated with ‘what’s happening’ beyond just news.
- Find a mentor: Finding a mentor is difficult, but not impossible. Therefore, finding a common ground between the mentor and you is necessary. So that you bridge the gaps 10 times faster than any expert/research/news you read or reach out to.
- Personal branding: Every handprint is different, so is your persona. Therefore, find out your calling and be proudly different. It is not as scary as you think it is.
How LinkedIn Can Help You to Stay Relevant in the AI Era
- Well-known expertise areas: Identify popular areas of expertise by analysing job offers (in the Job Section). So that you can direct your energy to the right place at the right time. That too, without second-guessing your career path forward.
- Focus on LinkedIn learning course: Take LinkedIn Learning courses to swiftly ‘get used to’ the new expertise environment. There are many new courses with the latest industry knowledge and implementation.
- Relevant engagement strategy: Engaging with relevant networks and their relevant content posts is important. LinkedIn is about positive memories. Also, recalling a career trajectory. The more people who agree/disagree with your viewpoint, the more they desire to hire you. In short, relevant engagement is a strategy to be in the mind of a future employer rather than being a pushover.
- Join niche groups: People mistake niche as an irrelevant small bug. But they are wrong. For example, AI was a niche, but now, it is accessible to all. So, this irrelevant small bug will grow large later on. And, you will regret not joining in.
- Follow relevant industry leaders and influencers: Industry leaders and influencers unknowingly share some industry insider insights that others often miss. So, to catch up and pick their brain, you have to click the ‘follow’ button on LinkedIn.
- Follow industry news: Stay in the loop with what is happening in your industry. Why? Because it is the oxygen of all your corporate survival, skill learning, and practicality.
- Share earned certificates: As we said earlier, LinkedIn is all about positive memories of career trajectory. Simultaneously, it builds immense credibility on your behalf. Hence, sharing certificates is an unignorable part of your personal branding.
How to Leverage LinkedIn for Career Re-entry
If you were recently let go of your job, LinkedIn is the platform where you can make your comeback:
- Optimise Your Profile: LinkedIn Profile is the first impression that people see; therefore, it is important to optimize it properly by adding a professional profile picture, background image, etc.
- Speak Out About Your Route: Tell your reskilling journey. It shows the real you and invites opportunities.
- Be Active: Add your comment on others’ posts, give insights, and publish short content pieces within your domain.
- Improve Your Title: Instead of simply writing “Looking for a Job”, say “Data Analytics Reskilled | AI Era HR Tech Innovative Solution Ready.”
- Request for Recommendation: A few words from colleagues you worked with in the past can be a great support to you.
- Choose Wisely: Employ the filters to narrow down target AI-era jobs. Bonus tip: Don’t forget to create ‘job alerts’.
How to Shift Your Mindset from Layoff to Growth
Layoffs hurt, no doubt (physically, emotionally, financially), but it is your mindset that counts the most. Instead of dwelling on the thought, “I have lost my job,” why not consider, “I have got an opportunity to rethink myself”?
- Consider the layoff as feedback, not failure or an overwhelming situation.
- Your career is a marathon, not a sprint (Don’t link it with your self-worth if you lose somewhere, be it work or life).
- Emphasise growth in baby steps towards your goal. Avoid aiming for an ‘either perfection or depression’ mindset. Why? Because each additional skill becomes your asset, not a liability. Remember: Skills that are not in use are transferable to people who desperately need them.
- Keep in mind that AI will not replace you, but the people who are knowledgeable in the use of AI might. So, shifting blame or fearing job loss is a problem, not a solution.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, AI won’t mean the end of human employment. But rather the beginning of a new type of job. Hence, being laid off is not the end of your life, even though it sounds like it. It is just a different way of telling your story. Through reskilling, upskilling, redirecting, rethinking, attitude changes, and LinkedIn use, you will not only recover but also move ahead. So, it is a big step for you. Therefore, next time you hear ‘AI is replacing humans in jobs’, think of this blog.
FAQs
1. Are the layoffs because of AI?
However, as tech layoffs continue to remain a rampant trend and more companies continue to attribute them to current AI being proficient enough to replace workers in their thousands, the sense that this trend might be more of an illusion than anything is becoming more apparent. In fact, it might just be an excuse.
2. What to post on LinkedIn when you get laid off?
A brief explanation of your layoff that focuses on the facts, not emotions. A few of your key strengths and the types of roles you’re seeking. A clear call-to-action for how your network can help or support you. An optimistic outlook on your future and enthusiasm for what’s next.
3. How does AI work in LinkedIn for job seekers?
AI-powered job search intelligently interprets the details and context of both your search and job descriptions posted by hirers, scanning millions of listings in milliseconds to find relevant results for you.
4. What are the challenges of reskilling?
With the acceleration of technological change, some skills are becoming obsolete while others are emerging. For example, employees may need training on specific software or training on soft skills in e-learning to adapt to these new tools.
5. What is an example of reskilling employees?
Reskilling is similar in that it is the development of skills within a workforce. However, reskilling differs because the skills an employee learns are for a different job or an entirely new role. For example, reskilling programs could transform retail workers into software developers or cloud engineers.
6. What is the future of reskilling in the workplace?
In this environment, upskilling and reskilling are no longer optional strategies for career advancement; they are essential survival tools for both individuals and organisations. According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, more than 44% of core job skills are expected to change by 2027.
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