AI can refine a resume, but only a coach unlocks true career potential

4 min. read

Every step in the job search journey has been disrupted by AI, from help with resume writing to bots conducting preliminary interviews. But while machines undoubtedly increase efficiency, the human element in outplacement (coaching, empathy, and personalized strategy) is more crucial than ever. The future isn’t AI versus humans. It’s knowing how to harness both. The firms that get this balance right don’t just help people land jobs — they supercharge careers and unlock serious business value.

How is AI transforming outplacement & job searching?

For job seekers, AI has changed every stage of the game. For example, before AI, candidates may have hired a career coach to help them with their resume, LinkedIn profile, and research. Now, in a few clicks, they can get targeted help with all these elements, and in a fraction of the time and cost. It is no wonder that around 65% of job candidates are using AI at some point in the job search process.

But this isn’t a zero-sum game. AI is an additive tool, but job seekers still need:

1. Effective use: There’s no point using AI if you don’t know how to use it. The better your understanding of the tool, the more value you will get from it.
2. The human touch: Critical thinking, empathy, inter-personal relationships – the uniquely human skills and capabilities – are still what set people apart as a job seeker. Humanity is more, not less, important in the age of AI.

How to get the most out of a career coach in the age of AI 

We talk about three sets of skills – head, human, and heart. AI can help with the first, but not the second and third. An expert career coach can help job seekers focus on:  

• Emotional intelligence. The career coach is a thought partner, someone who can listen and respond empathically to what job seekers are going through.
• Targeted support. While AI can help craft an initial resume, a coach can help nuance it to the specific role the person is applying for. For example, a coach can help highlight relevant achievements, transferable skills, and personal value proposition. They can also help with interview practice, communication style, and identifying training to address gaps.
• Motivation. A coach can provide support throughout the  interview process, networking, and building the job seeker’s online profile and presence. And perhaps most importantly, a coach will hold a job seeker accountable for achieving their goals.

Recruiters are inundated with resumes and don’t have time to review them all. If you want to stand out, stay positive, and land the next role, it’s not AI that will get you there—it’s human connection.

What's still special about the human touch in outplacement/career transition?

Layoffs or impacts from a reorganization can be emotionally devastating. AI can't offer a listening ear, acknowledge the pain, or validate a person’s feelings. A human outplacement coach provides a safe space for processing these emotions, rebuilds their confidence, and helps the individual move from grief to proactive job searching.

How can you unlock career potential with human-AI synergy?

You must synthesize the best of both to get the most out of your career transition program, and that’s what our coaches are delivering.

1. Use AI for what it’s best for: task-oriented work such as resume formatting, target company research, and data-driven insights.
2. Use the coach for what they’re best at: the strategic, higher-level human thinking – customized career goals, strategy to achieve them, creating a unique value proposition in the market.
    

What differentiates ZRG's human-led outplacement solutions?

With AI now embedded in outplacement and job searching, the Bravanti team at ZRG is spending even more value-added time with candidates on their short, medium, and long-term career strategies.

It also means we can now offer more specialized support on an expanded range of areas. We can assist with networking skills beyond algorithms, customizing job search materials so that they are tailored for each individual’s unique goals, stress management, building work-life balance, and imposter syndrome. AI may be good and getting better at many aspects of job searching, but only a qualified, experienced, empathetic coach can help a fellow human navigate the ups, downs, and everything in between.  

ZRG has always been a high-touch provider, but AI allows us to bolster what we’re doing with added depth, breadth, and even greater personalization of our approach to career transition. AI is now an essential tool in any organization’s outplacement and job search strategy. However, far from replacing humans, AI has shown that only a marriage of machine and mentor will unlock true career potential and deliver incalculable value to your organization.
 

We partner in business transformation, leadership acceleration, culture transformation, assessment & succession planning, executive and leadership coaching, and talent acquisition. 
 
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