The rise of AI has changed the game for entry-level job seekers. With automation taking over many routine tasks that used to be the training ground for junior employees, the career ladder looks different than it did five years ago.
If you are a student or a recent graduate wondering how to stay relevant, IBM’s Chief Talent, Leadership & Culture Officer, Aparna Nair, has a clear message: You need to double down on the human skills AI can’t replicate.
According to Nair, two specific skills are paramount for success right now: *Critical Thinking* and *Judgment.*
Here is why these skills are in high demand and how you can prove you have them.
The "Training Ground" Problem
Traditionally, entry-level workers built judgment by doing the work. You made small decisions, learned from mistakes, and gradually built up your expertise.
"Today, that piece of work is no longer there because AI is doing it," Nair told CNBC Make It.
This creates a gap. Employers are desperate for workers who can think critically, but many employees feel their skills are regressing because they rely too heavily on AI tools.
An IBM survey of 1,500 HR officers and 8,800 employees revealed a massive disconnect:
- **57% of HR leaders** consider critical thinking vital.
- **Only 49% of employees** feel the same way.
- **48% of HR leaders** value judgment under uncertainty, compared to just **29% of employees.**
How to Build Critical Thinking and Judgment
If AI is doing the basic work, how do you build the muscles of discernment?
Nair suggests that instead of just letting AI generate answers, you should focus on *validating the inputs of AI.* This means questioning the output, checking for bias, and verifying facts. This process of validation is how you build your own judgment.
Here are actionable ways to develop these skills:
- *Think in another language:* This forces your brain to process concepts differently.
- *Ask more questions:* Don't accept surface-level answers.
- *Think a few steps ahead:* Anticipate consequences rather than just reacting.
- *Learn from decision-makers:* Observe how senior leaders in your network make tough calls.
Don't Use AI for Decision Making
While AI is a powerful tool for productivity, Bonnie Dilber, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Zapier, warns against using it for the final call.
"Nobody should use AI for decision-making," says Dilber. She notes that relying on AI to make choices can prevent you from developing foundational skills.
Dilber advises that you must spend time building your own knowledge and forming your own opinions *first*, and then turn to AI to assist. "Expertise is built by lots and lots of at-bats," she says. You need to swing the bat yourself to get better.
How to Prove These Skills to Employers
It’s one thing to say you are a critical thinker; it’s another to prove it. Here is how you can demonstrate these skills during your job search:
1. In Your Personal Brand (LinkedIn)
Write posts sharing your thoughts on an industry topic. This shows prospective employers that you are analyzing trends and thinking critically about the work, rather than just parroting headlines.
2. In Interviews & Assessments
Explain your thought process. If you are given a take-home assignment, don't just submit the answer. Explain:
- What parts you decided to complete yourself.
- What parts you used AI for.
- **Why** you made those choices.
This transparency shows high-level judgment and an understanding of how to integrate AI responsibly.
Technical skills will always fluctuate in demand. What matters today might be obsolete in three years. However, as Nair notes, critical thinking and discernment are "skills that will endure."
"You just have to be in the mindset that you are continuously shaping and building new skills," she says.
For more tips on navigating the modern job market, keep reading at jobadvisor. link.