Is this guy ready to be your career coach?

If you’re a fan of the Terminator movies like I am, you’ve probably been a little alarmed by the recent proliferation of talk around artificial intelligence (AI). Of course, we’ve been living with AI for a while, whether it be a chat function on a website or a thermostat that learns your sleep-wake cycles. However, the release of ChatGPT seemed to propel AI to a new level. ChatGPT is generative AI, meaning it can synthesize data and images to create something that didn’t previously exist. Early concerns seemed focused on education and whether students would use ChatGPT to write papers, but interestingly, some colleges are actually encouraging its use as a tool and then teaching editing skills.

As a career coach, I am fascinated by the world of work and the evolution of jobs and careers. Since jobs have existed, they have perpetually evolved based on industrial and technological advances. Just Google “what jobs will AI replace”, and you might see your own occupation. Here’s a recent article on BusinessInsider.com listing various tech, education, media, legal, finance, investment and accounting roles that may be vulnerable.

We tend to think it’s the administrative or data crunching intensive roles most at risk, but I was shocked to see teacher and graphic designer on the list. Imagine my surprise that when I started putting ChatGPT through its paces around career and job search tasks, the results were a bit unnerving. Is this the beginning of the Rise of the Machines? Would AI replace my job? Let’s look at some examples.

Career Exploration

Search Strategies

Interview Tips

Cover Letter

It’s interesting to note an employer recently caught a job seeker using a ChatGPT cover letter, and it cost them the job. You can read more at here.

Still, like the colleges encouraging use of generative AI, I do believe we can leverage ChatGPT as a tool. Some queries could be:

1. Alternative careers for psychology majors

2. Headhunters in Los Angeles that specialize in investments

3. What is the salary for a market research analyst in Boston

So, while I was impressed with ChatGPT’s responses, I think my job is safe for several reasons.

1. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, and therefore don’t know what to ask something like ChatGPT. A career coach can help you navigate this uncharted territory.

2. A career coach can help you process your research around career exploration and help you determine what is important to you.

3. It would be difficult for ChatGPT to provide feedback on your answers to mock interview questions. I suppose you could type a question and your response, but that is cumbersome. Additionally, a career coach can help you with your eye contact, rate of speech, tone, etc.

4. Often times, clients will ask me if what they are experiencing is typical. It could be the length of their search, a response from an employer or a background check process. After doing this for over 10 years, I provide perspective.

5. Losing a job and conducting an extended search can be emotionally exhausting. Is ChatGPT going to empathize with you, motivate you and celebrate your wins? I don’t think so. Like the Terminator says, "I know now why you cry, but it's something I can never do."

Still, AI will change the occupational landscape. Some jobs will remain the same, some will evolve, some will be created and some will be lost. What's hard to know is when. If you need help navigating your career development or job search process, please visit my website for more information: www.nancyerbcoaching.com.

Hasta la vista, Baby!