The velocity of AI right now is catching people off guard and if you ask anyone in cybersecurity or tech in general, they’ll agree that we are much further along than anyone predicted six months or even two years ago.
In this live episode of the Root to CISO podcast, I had a chat with Yonesy Nunez, CISO at Surf AI. We dug into the realities of AI adoption, why people are scared of AI taking their jobs, how to make sure you stay relevant, how your perfect CV is not enough anymore to land you that job, what companies are looking for, and so much more.
Welcome to this week’s Root To CISO episode recap. Let’s dive in!
The Invisible AI Divide
There is a fascinating (and slightly alarming) divide happening right now in the workforce.
We have one group of people who are actively grabbing AI by the horns. They are tinkering with it, testing its limits, and constantly asking, “How can I be more productive? How can I use this to make myself a better employee or a better entrepreneur?” If this is you, you’re on the right track.
Then, on the other hand, we have those scared of AI. They are worried AI is going to take their jobs, or they feel the technology has already passed them by, and they’ve missed their window.
But if you are sitting there doing nothing, assuming AI will replace you, it just might. Those who will be safe are those who learn how to work alongside AI and integrate it into their workflows. Find out how that looks for you in your specific industry, not just cybersecurity.
Networks > The “Perfect” Resume
Let’s talk about getting hired in this new landscape. As a recruiter, it is true that entry-level roles are getting too competitive. With AI tools readily available, everyone can now generate the “perfect” resume in seconds. But the thing is, so can hundreds of other applicants. Some are even automating their applications to get them in first. So how do you differentiate yourself?
Having a flawless, AI-generated resume does not mean you are going to get picked out of the pile; in fact, companies are currently struggling with too many “perfect” resumes and not enough people who actually possess the skills they are looking for.
So, how do you stand out when algorithms are flooding the market? You get out and build real, human relationships.
This can look like positioning yourself in circles where the people and opportunities you’re looking for are. Attend conferences and look, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to go to elite conferences. Volunteer at an event, help out at local chapter meetings, because by being in these spaces, you can get a front-row seat to the industry and the chance to build a network that a cold, automated application can never replicate.
Who Hiring Managers Really Want
Now, as the future of careers shifts, you may find yourself doing three or four different jobs at once based on your capability to scale using AI. When CISOs are hiring right now, they aren’t just looking for someone to clock in and clock out.
If a candidate comes into an interview and says, “I’m doing these three things for the job, but I’m also building this community on the side, and I’m using AI to run a side project,” hiring managers light up.
They are looking for people who act like entrepreneurs inside an organisation. People who are multifaceted problem-solvers who can pivot fast, think around corners, and use new tools to drive business value.
Don’t Just Use AI for Work
On the last note, stop limiting your AI use to your day job.
The people who are succeeding the most with AI are the ones who are passionate about something outside of work. Use AI to get better at playing the guitar, maybe build out your routine, help you with fitness, design. Whatever thing you like, try to improve it with AI and see what comes out of it.
AI should allow you to hand off the robotic tasks and get back to being a multifaceted, multidimensional human being. The field has sort of been levelled by AI and the availability of free information. It has never been cheaper or easier to innovate. But if history is any indicator, that bar will eventually rise again. So what are you going to do about it?
Let’s discuss in the comments
Catch the full conversation here:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/_j6msIXgOik
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xqu5NstdOZeB7A1EdXzWG?si=Ny5esIUZRsyLbtM-bf941Q
Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-wont-steal-your-job-but-those-who-use-it-might-with/id1772962128?i=1000767453554