AI is here, and it’s going to change the way you do your job.

Cindy Meis, director of undergraduate career services at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, says people have to get used to that truth. But that doesn’t mean we’re all doomed to unemployment or unfulfilling careers. There are things you can do to prepare and acknowledging you must prepare is the first step.

A long-time career coach, Meis offered several additional suggestions to keep AI from derailing your career:

• Start small. Pick an AI tool (like ChatGPT) and get comfortable by doing some low stakes playing around with it. Ask about something you’re a fan of, like a movie or role-playing game. Keep having fun until it no longer seems intimidating.
• Start simple. Meis’ superpower is including at least one typo in every email she writes, so she started using ChatGPT to proofread and refine every email before she sends it. “It has saved me from myself every day,” she says. Do small things with it and build up to more significant tasks.
• Use it for an edge when looking for a new job. HR professionals don’t want to see generalized resumes anymore, she says. They want resumes that are specifically written for the job opening they’re filling and to match up with the job description. She says a number of AI tools are available that can help tailor your resume to the job description and give you a leg up in your job search. She says the process of refining your resume can help you prepare for the interview, too.
• Finally, read as much as you can about AI to take away the mystery and protect your career. One book she recommends is “AI Powered Job Hunting,” by Garrison Leykam.