If you want to stand out in the AI era, be more human than ever

Liz Barry
Aug 15
3 min read

This week in my Pathfinder group, we were talking about how unsettling and uncertain the job market feels right now.

AI is changing things fast, and with the recession biting, many talented people have suddenly found themselves out of work — some with no warning at all.

It’s a confronting reality. And for many, the old way of job hunting just isn’t working anymore.

It’s now easier than ever to apply for a role because so many people are using AI tools to help write their applications which also means most of those applications end up sounding the same. Ironically, the little quirks — even the occasional spelling mistake — can now make someone stand out, because it shows they actually wrote it themselves!

This also means that recruiters are flooded with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of these near-identical applications for a single role. Shortlisting from that many is incredibly difficult — even with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are far from perfect and often screen out great candidates by mistake.

The result? Many roles are never even advertised and hiring managers are resorting to shoulder tapping. It used to be that around 80% of jobs were found in the hidden job market — now some say it’s closer to 90%.

Most job seekers join the long queue at the front door — the public job posting — where recruiters and hiring managers decide who gets let in, hoping their CV stands out in a stack of hundreds.

But there’s another way — one that’s been around for centuries. It’s the way our ancestors navigated opportunity: through conversation, trust, and human connection.

Instead of queuing at the front door, take the “first-floor balcony” approach — connect directly with someone inside the company (ideally in your target department or a decision-maker) who can submit your application with a personal recommendation.

This is why buying someone a cup of coffee or having an informational interview is so valuable. Those human-to-human conversations build trust, connection, and insight — and can open doors that no online application ever could.

This is something I teach in my signature program Become Your Own Pathfinder — how to find and connect with the right people, so you’re not relying on the online job boards alone.

In a world of AI and automation, this isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s the way to not just survive, but thrive in this new world of work.

If you want to stand out in the AI era, be more human than ever.

xo Liz

P.S. You can learn more about strategies like this in my short course, Position Yourself for Career Success: The DIY Job Search Guide for Career Changers. Check it out here

P.P.S. - If you're feeling lost in your career, wondering what’s next, or questioning what truly lights you up, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That’s why I created Make Your Next Career Move Count—a free ebook to guide you through the exact process I used to find clarity and build a fulfilling career using the most effective path to career change:

✅ Soul Search – Uncover what truly matters to you

✅ Research – Explore possibilities that align with your interests, strengths and values

✅ Job Search – Take confident steps toward work that excites you