Not long ago, everyone worried AI would take their jobs away. But now, we all want to know how to get a job in AI. AI is the new cool kid on the block, and everyone wants to hop on the AI bandwagon.
That’s not all. Many jobs in AI offer more flexibility than traditional jobs and are lucrative too. In fact, the average salary for a professional in artificial intelligence in the US is around $154,397 per year. Companies like Meta, Netflix, and Amazon have been steadily hiring workers to develop AI systems and machine learning models in recent years, with some salaries reaching as high as $900,000.
Additionally, AI jobs offer one of the most sought-after job benefits in the 21st century—remote work. All this put together has sent the AI economy soaring.
In this article, we will learn more about the AI job industry, the steps to prepare to enter the AI market, and, most importantly—how to use AI tools to make your job hunting easier.
How to Get a Job in AI: Land Your Dream Job
- Understanding the AI Job Landscape
- 6 Steps to Land Your Dream AI Job
- Step 1: Build the right AI skill set
- Step 2: Gain relevant experience
- Step 3: Pursue formal education and certifications
- Step 4: Network and building a professional presence
- Step 5: Tailor your job application and build a portfolio
- Step 6: Prepare for interviews
- Leverage AI Tools for job searching
- ClickUp for job hunting and interview preparation
Summarize this article for me pleaseUnderstanding the AI Job Landscape
Programming, technical support, networking, project management, security, and business intelligence. Do you know what they all have in common?
These were the ‘hottest’ tech skills to learn back in 2010—a decade and a half ago. While these skills are still very much in demand today, they are now considered essential. In other words, you should already know them.
And what else you should know? Machine learning (ML). ML is essentially the bedrock of getting a job in AI.
Why? Here are a few examples of how much companies value machine learning:
Netflix has cut costs by more than $1 billion annually by investing in machine learning through its Netflix Recommendation Engine.
Meanwhile, Amazon experienced a significant improvement, reducing its ‘click to ship’ time by almost 225% to just 15 minutes, all due to machine learning advancements.
To emphasize this further, a McKinsey report found that nearly 20% of C-level executives from 10 different countries view machine learning as a vital element of their business operations.
So, does mastering machine learning guarantee you a job in AI?
It gets you closer to the role, but it’s not the only criteria—let’s check out all the other things you’ll need to get that dream AI job!
Summarize this article for me please6 Steps to Land Your Dream AI Job
Step 1: Build the right AI skill set
PwC’s Global AI Jobs Barometer report reports interesting statistics regarding the value of AI skills:
- Jobs that require AI skills carry up to a 25% wage premium in some markets
- Skills sought by employers are changing at a 25% higher rate in occupations most exposed to AI
This highlights that more companies are giving preference to employees who are skilled in AI by prioritizing those job roles and paying higher salaries.
Let’s review some of the top AI skills you’ll need to master to get one foot through the door of your dream organization.
1. Prompt engineering
Prompt engineering is the new hot trend in town that no one can get enough of.
With high-quality prompts, your AI models can perform at their best. But low-quality prompts? You’ll get the typical AI responses people share as memes over social media.
Prompt engineering is similar to guiding generative AI systems—like your trusty ChatGPT—to produce exactly what you need by crafting effective prompts. If you can tell AI what to do (without going rogue), you’re on the right track.
Amazon Web Services even backs this up: prompt engineering is essential for anyone using generative AI technology effectively at work.
And here’s a fun stat: adding generative AI skills to your resume can boost your salary by as much as 47%, making it the highest-paying tech skill. It’s no longer just useful—it’s lucrative.
2. Programming skills
You can’t work in AI without getting cozy with programming languages. If software engineering is your jam, you’ll need to know Python, Java, and Apache Spark, and other languages like the back of your hand.
Python, in particular, is the most popular language for AI development.
A quick tip for learning Python (or any other language): find something that excites you and build a project around it.
For instance, if you are into gaming, you can create a simple AI bot to play chess or solve puzzles. If you are obsessed with fitness, program a virtual trainer that counts your reps at the gym.
Picking something that excites you will drive you to keep improving your AI bot, which would be great news when you finally get called up for that job interview.
3. Learn Git
Imagine tracking and making changes to a file’s source code. That’s Git’s power right there.
Git might seem a bit hard at first, but trust us; you need to master it because veterans of software development swear by Git’s usefulness.
You should be comfortable with commands like clone, branch, and rebase (aka squash).
And while you’re at it, learn the CI/CD pipeline for good measure. (You can thank us later)
4. Data skills
The next most important skill is data management.
AI runs on data, and if you enjoy managing volumes of unorganized data and making sense of it, it will give you an edge. Data modeling, warehousing, and data processing are must-have skills to succeed in the data-science-led AI industry.
You’ll also need to work with databases, both traditional SQL and newer systems like NoSQL. Knowledge of data management is crucial for transforming raw data into something machine learning models can use.
5. Cloud and API skills
Being comfortable with cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud AI is critical.
Knowing how to build and deploy API-based apps in the cloud will earn you additional brownie points during your hiring process.
The learning curve might look steep, but don’t sweat it—plenty of online courses will help you along the way. Here are a few to get you started:
- For Azure, you can check out this training model by Microsoft
- Amazon also has training material for AWS
- Similarly, Google has learning solutions for Google Cloud AI
6. Machine learning
If you’re new to machine learning, start by familiarizing yourself with the core concepts, such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. These are non-negotiable for an aspiring artificial intelligence engineer.
You’ll also want to dive into neural networks, the architecture that powers deep learning models. These systems mimic the human brain to process complex data.
Machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch are essential for your AI journey. Don’t worry if you’ve never used them; countless tutorials and online courses can help you get started.
Or if you want a fun project and learn by doing—try using machine learning algorithms to create a recommendation engine for your favorite movie genre or a bot that predicts stock market trends.
Bonus: How to Humanize AI Content!
Step 2: Gain relevant experience
Let’s face it—recruiters love seeing hands-on experience.
Building a couple of AI projects on your own can make a huge difference in landing your dream AI job. Learn about Retrieval Augmented Generation and create your own chatbot.
The key to learning artificial intelligence is to take action quickly rather than spending endless hours reading books and blog posts.
It’s simple—start with something practical, like a classification problem, a well-established challenge in machine learning.
For instance:
- Take a piece of text and categorize it into relevant groups—something from your everyday experience would be ideal
- You could start by building a small dataset with around ten examples per category in a format like text
Once collected, save it as a CSV file and look for an AutoML system online, most of which are available through major cloud providers
Uploading the dataset and training a model using these tools will teach you more in just two hours than reading five books on machine learning.
Add these projects (no matter how basic) to your portfolio and resume, and you’ll make yourself a standout candidate in the competitive AI job market.
Step 3: Pursue formal education and certifications
Let’s talk about getting a shiny degree.
Recently, the University of Pennsylvania became the first Ivy League school to offer a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in AI.
Less than six months later, they rolled out a Master’s in AI as well since one degree wasn’t enough to tackle this fast-growing industry.
In fact, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) did this long before AI became a household name. CMU launched the U.S.’s first bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence back in 2018! So, if you’re looking to go down the formal route, you’ve got plenty of options.
There’s something for everyone, from focused AI programs at CMU to specialized concentrations like machine learning or robotics within a broader computer science degree.
But what if you’re not planning to attend an Ivy League or a top-tier school?
That’s also alright—you don’t have to get a degree from a prestigious university to make it in the AI field. A wide variety of AI courses are available online, from Coursera to YouTube tutorials, offering everything from programming skills to machine learning frameworks.
With the right focus, you can easily get certified and prove your merit without stepping into a classroom.
Step 4: Network and building a professional presence
We don’t mean to scare you, but around 60% of jobs are found through networking (really!), rather than online job platforms.
So, it’s imperative to build an online presence and network with fellow AI professionals.
Here are a few ways to get started:
- First, optimize your LinkedIn profile, the haven of all job seekers.
- Treat it as your digital business card by ensuring it’s up-to-date with relevant skills like machine learning and artificial intelligence. Use keywords to improve discoverability and engage with AI-focused content to showcase your expertise in the field.
- Next, attend AI industry events like conferences and webinars. These are gold mines for meeting AI professionals, hiring managers, and thought leaders who may introduce you to job opportunities that never make it online.
- Finding mentors is another crucial step. Reaching out to seasoned AI engineers or data scientists can potentially lead to personal referrals.
- Lastly, don’t forget to get in touch with your current contacts by contacting them.
Regularly posting and interacting with AI groups can also increase your visibility to the developer community and recruiters.
Sometimes, all it takes is a friendly message or a check-in to open new paths in your career.
Step 5: Tailor your job application and build a portfolio
One strategy to find your dream job is to look at the skills they list and then learn them. It’s like reverse-engineering your way into your perfect role.
Add these skills to your LinkedIn profile or job application; soon enough, recruiters will gravitate towards your profile.
💡 Friendly Tip: Mastering generative AI, Langchain, and tools like ChatGPT and OpenAI can make your profile irresistible.
Step 6: Prepare for interviews
If you are specifically looking to learn how to prepare for an AI job interview, first of all, congratulations! Your efforts are paying off.
Now, let’s build a game plan: AI interviews can be a mix of technical skills, problem-solving, and general knowledge, so here’s how to stay ahead of the competition.
Expect the basics:
- “What are the ethical challenges of AI systems?”.
- “How do you define artificial intelligence?”
- “What are some real-world AI applications?”
It’s key to keep your answers clear, concise, and free of rambling. Show your enthusiasm, and look at some remote interview tips before D-day.
Technical questions can often be complex, such as “What are the main machine learning algorithms?” or “How does natural language processing transform AI systems?”
Brush up on machine learning models, neural networks, deep learning, and computer vision. Being prepared to discuss the technicalities will show you’re more than just familiar with AI—you know your stuff well.
Stay current by reading articles, attending workshops, and working on open-source AI projects. Following AI professionals and industry leaders on social media can also keep you updated on the latest trends.
Finally, practice with AI tools like ChatGPT or InterviewBuddy. Simulate questions and scenarios to get real-time feedback, which can help you smooth out any rough edges before your big day.
Lastly, remember: You’ve got this!
Leverage AI Tools for job searching
Let’s be honest—going from learning AI skills to landing that dream AI job is a tough journey.
Getting a good AI job is not just about coding or building machine learning models—you’ve got to keep tracking your job application, stay organized, and ensure your resume doesn’t become a relic of the past.
So why not use AI to help you land your dream AI job?
This is where ClickUp’s AI-powered features and templates can make a world of difference in your job hunting. Not sure how? Let’s first explore the templates that’ll help you prepare and ace your AI job hunt!
1. ClickUp SMART Goals Template
First, let’s set SMART goals to help you build an AI career. SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
This is where the ClickUp SMART Goals Template shines—it lets you create a clear roadmap by helping you evaluate all your objectives using the SMART framework.
Want to land a job as a machine learning engineer in six months? With this template, you can break down that goal into actionable steps and make steady progress toward your dream job.
2. ClickUp Job Search Template
Now, it’s time to tackle the job search. Applying to many jobs and losing track of all the applications can prevent you from understanding what’s working well (or not) in your approach.
That’s where the ClickUp Job Search Template comes in. This handy template is designed to help you stay organized and on top of your AI job search.
Here’s what it offers:
- Custom Statuses: Track where you are in each application—whether it’s “Open” or “Complete”
- Custom Fields: Manage your job hunt by categorizing jobs, adding details, and seeing your progress in one easy view
- Custom Views: Whether you need to prioritize your applications or track conversations with recruiters, these views help you stay organized
- Project management features: Use tags, comments, and automation to improve your job tracking process
So, whether you’re aiming for an AI engineer role or exploring entry-level AI positions, this template allows you to manage your job search in one place and track your progress easily.
ClickUp for job hunting and interview preparation
Now that we have the right templates to set our goals and search for the right jobs, let’s move on to the next important step—creating a good resume
However, a strong resume should also include the following elements (with examples):
- Clarity & quantitative units: Improved client conversion rates by 27%
- Power words: Managed a team to increase sales by 25%.
- Keywords: Example detail-oriented web developer with three years of experience
- Relevant skills: Managed a 10K email list, boosting engagement by 10%
- Confidence: Increased product sales by 40% in the first year
Here’s how ClickUp Brain and ClickUp Docs can help you achieve all of the above points:
With ClickUp Brain’s AI features, you can generate your resume content based on your requirements. Brain can also give you multiple iterations based on your prompts.
Additionally, you can use intelligent prompts and suggestions to highlight your achievements.
ClickUp Docs can help you organize your resume sections like a pro. With its nested hierarchy, you can structure your resume clearly, from skills to experience.
ClickUp’s AI simultaneously analyzes your resume and provides personalized recommendations based on the job you’re applying for.
After this, when you have the attention of your hiring manager, it’s time for the next step—interviews.
Interview prep
We all know the anxiety that comes with preparing for a big AI job interview. From keeping track of applications to remembering which company likes their AI systems to be just so, the process can be overwhelming.
But fear not! This is where ClickUp Brain swoops in to save the day and make your interview prep as organized and stress-free as possible.
Imagine having an AI-powered assistant that helps you keep tabs on everything. Whether it’s researching a company’s AI strategy, curating interview questions, or managing follow-up tasks—ClickUp Brain’s got your back.
That’s not all. You can also use ClickUp Docs to store your research notes for each company. This can help you prepare better for your job interviews by having mock interview sessions with friends or mentors.
Also Read: How to Spot Red Flags in Job Interviews
Simplify with ClickUp Brain
Need to research a company? Just paste the job description URL into ClickUp Brain and see the AI magic unfold.
You’ll get a summarized version of key information, which will help you save time and effort.
That’s not all though—ClickUp Brain can also generate AI-related interview questions based on topics like leadership challenges or technical skills.
Here’s how you can leverage ClickUp Brain to organize your prep:
- Research the company: Create a ClickUp Doc and use Brain to generate company summaries, including their history, mission, and recent projects
- Stay on top of industry trends: Ask ClickUp Brain about industry-specific insights. It’ll keep you updated on AI industry trends
- Break down job descriptions: Summarize specific job requirements—this will help you clarify the job expectations, technical skills, and responsibilities
- Craft company-specific questions: Brainstorm interview questions tailored to the company, focusing on their challenges, priorities, and culture
- Prepare for behavioral interviews: Get ideas for common behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time when…”) and refine your answers
Track your job search with ClickUp Lists
Set up a ClickUp List to track every application, including notes from your ClickUp Brain-powered research for each company. With Lists, you’ll never miss an interview or follow-up task again.
Stay on track with ClickUp Reminders
Got interview prep sessions lined up with friends or a professional coach? Use ClickUp Reminders to schedule mock interviews and block deep learning hours.
Also read: AI Anxiety: Is AI Stealing Your Job (and Your Sanity)?
Showcase your skills with ClickUp Tasks
Create a ClickUp List titled “Project Management Skills for Interview” with checkboxes for skills like risk management, resource allocation, and stakeholder communication.
As you prep, tick off each skill so you can visualize your progress and ensure you’re hitting all the right points in your responses.
And that’s it. You are ready to learn, experiment, and land that AI role at your dream company.
Summarize this article for me pleaseA ClickUp User’s Success Story
For a practical look at how ClickUp can transform your job search, just take a peek at what one Reddit user recently shared.
This savvy job seeker turned their job hunt into a strategic, visual journey by creating a custom dashboard in ClickUp.
Here’s what their dashboard tracks:
- The distribution of job applications across platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed
- A detailed timeline showing when they had bursts of application activity and which periods were a little quieter
- Real-time updates on the status of current applications
This custom ClickUp dashboard transformed the user’s job search from a stressful grind to an organized, data-driven process.
Firstly, the dashboard gave the user a bird’s-eye view of where they had applied, a detailed timeline of their activity, and allowed them to track their progress through real-time updates.
These insights from ClickUp can similarly help you spot trends, improve your job application strategy, and get you closer to your AI job.
Summarize this article for me pleaseUse AI to Get Your Dream Job in AI
The famous American actor Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” In this competitive job market, this quote might just become your mantra.
This is where ClickUp can make a difference in your job search.
With tools like ClickUp Brain and Docs, you can easily track applications, organize interview schedules, and research company insights, all in one place. Or try the Job Search Template, which allows you to track your entire job application progress.
Create a free ClickUp account today and land the job of your dreams!
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
