Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend reserved for tech companies. It is rapidly becoming part of everyday work across recruitment, HR, marketing, finance, operations, and leadership. As AI adoption accelerates, employers are increasingly looking for professionals who understand how to use these tools effectively.
The good news is that professionals who invest in AI skills now are not being replaced by technology — they are becoming more valuable because of it. According to recent global AI labour market research, professionals with demonstrable AI skills command significantly higher salaries and stronger career opportunities.
During a webinar hosted for Sollicitatiedokter.nl and The Talentpool Community in March 2026, Geert-Jan Waasdorp shared 25 concrete ways to increase both employability and labour market value through AI. In this first article, we explore the first 13 strategies.
1. Invest in at least two paid AI platforms
Free AI tools are useful for experimentation, but paid versions offer a completely different level of performance, speed, and functionality. Professionals should ideally work with at least two AI models, such as ChatGPT and Claude, because each has different strengths.
Claude performs particularly well in writing and coding tasks, while ChatGPT excels in creativity, workflows, and AI agents. Gemini is increasingly strong in research and information retrieval. Learning how to compare and combine multiple models gives professionals a clear competitive advantage.
2. Work with AI consistently for four weeks
Using AI occasionally is no longer enough. Professionals who work with large language models daily for several weeks quickly develop a level of fluency that many colleagues and competitors still lack.
The difference between “trying AI once” and integrating it into everyday work is substantial. Consistent practice improves productivity, strategic thinking, and digital adaptability — all qualities employers increasingly value.
3. Automate a task from your current or previous role
One of the fastest ways to stand out is by automating part of your workflow. Ask AI tools which tasks from your role can be automated and how to approach them.
Whether it involves reporting, scheduling, content creation, research, or administration, successfully automating even a single workflow demonstrates initiative and practical AI capability. This is highly valuable for both CVs and interviews.
4. Build your first AI agent
AI agents are rapidly becoming one of the most important workplace developments. These digital assistants can independently perform recurring tasks such as monitoring vacancies, summarising industry news, or organising information.
Modern AI tools make agent-building increasingly accessible, even for non-technical users. Creating a simple AI assistant already signals that you understand where the future of work is heading.
5. Add AI to your professional positioning
Professionals who visibly connect AI to their role immediately position themselves differently in the market. Titles such as “HR Advisor | AI”, “AI & Innovation Lead”, or “Recruitment Specialist – AI” communicate future readiness.
Research from the Global AI Jobs Barometer shows that professionals with AI capabilities in their profiles often receive significant salary premiums compared to peers in similar roles without those skills.
6. Earn free AI certifications
Both OpenAI and Anthropic now offer accessible AI learning programmes and certifications. Courses such as Anthropic’s AI Fluency programme help professionals build practical, ethical, and effective AI knowledge.
Adding recognised AI certifications to LinkedIn profiles and CVs demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and digital transformation.
7. Learn meta-prompting
Prompting has evolved quickly. One of the most valuable modern AI skills is meta-prompting: asking AI to generate the best possible prompt for a specific objective.
Instead of manually refining instructions, professionals can use AI to optimise workflows, improve outputs, and work more efficiently. This significantly increases productivity and strategic use of AI systems.
8. Explore vibe-coding and no-code AI development
New AI-powered development platforms allow users to build websites, prototypes, and applications without traditional coding knowledge.
Professionals who can quickly create landing pages, portfolio websites, prototypes, or internal tools demonstrate initiative, creativity, and adaptability. In interviews and client meetings, this can create immediate differentiation.
9. Understand the AI tools within your own sector
Beyond ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, specialised AI tools are emerging across virtually every industry — from healthcare and legal services to recruitment, HR, finance, and marketing.
Professionals who understand which AI tools are shaping their industry position themselves as future-ready talent. Recruiters and hiring managers increasingly look for this awareness.
10. Use deep research for interview preparation
AI research functionality allows candidates to prepare for interviews at a much deeper level than before. Professionals can generate detailed reports about companies, industries, leadership teams, and market developments within minutes.
Well-prepared candidates ask better questions, demonstrate stronger strategic understanding, and stand out from the majority of applicants.
11. Call before applying
As recruiters receive growing numbers of AI-generated CVs and cover letters, direct human contact becomes more important again.
Calling recruiters or hiring managers before applying immediately creates differentiation. It demonstrates motivation, communication skills, and initiative — qualities that are difficult to fake through automated applications.
12. Practise interviews using AI voice tools
Voice-based AI tools offer professionals a highly effective way to practise interviews in a safe and repeatable environment.
Candidates can simulate realistic interview conversations, receive feedback, improve answers, and build confidence without external pressure.
13. Build a job search agent
One of the most powerful current applications of AI is the personal job search agent. These AI assistants can continuously scan the internet for relevant vacancies and deliver daily updates tailored to a candidate’s profile.
This reduces endless scrolling through job boards while uncovering opportunities that might otherwise remain invisible.
The key takeaway
The labour market increasingly rewards professionals who take initiative and embrace AI as a tool rather than a threat. The technology, training opportunities, and learning resources are already widely available.
The professionals who act now are positioning themselves for stronger employability, greater market value, and long-term career resilience.
Part two of this series will cover strategies 14 through 25.
