AI Can't Do This (And That's Your Career Advantage)

"AI is coming for your job!"

If you're thinking about a career transition, you've probably seen the headlines. Maybe you've felt the panic creeping in.

But here's what we've learned after guiding hundreds of women through career pivots:

While everyone's worried about what AI can do, the real opportunity is focusing on what AI CAN'T do.

And what can't AI do? 

• It can’t access your intuition.
  

• It can’t build trust in a room when the stakes are high.
  

• It can’t exercise seasoned judgment when the data is incomplete.
  

• It can’t weigh a decision against the values you’ve refined over decades.
  

• It can’t interpret the subtle lessons you learned from years of lived experience.

This is your competitive edge. But only if you actually do the work to claim it!

And how to do that?

You need to dig into the inner work of understanding who you are, what you value, and the unique impact only you can make.

No algorithm can dream your future. No chatbot can tell you what lights you up on a Thursday morning. No automation can replicate the judgment you've built from years of real-world experience.

At a recent workshop we hosted for women in career transition, we talked about first instincts people have when planning a career move.

Update the resume. Polish LinkedIn. Start applying online. Sound familiar?

We get it. When you're feeling stuck, action feels productive.

But here's the problem: when you rush to action without doing the inner work first, you often end up right back where you started. You land a role that looks great on paper but still feels off. Or you spend months applying without clarity on what you actually want.

The missing piece? Self-discovery. The very human work that AI-proofs your career.

When we asked women at the workshop to slow down and explore their values, strengths, and the impact they wanted to make, the energy in the room shifted.

One woman found the courage to finally name what she actually wanted, instead of defaulting to what seemed safe.

Another moved beyond the "identity frustration" of wearing too many hats by creating a framework to articulate how all those experiences connected.

This is the work that sets you apart in an AI-driven market. And it's work only you can do.

Check out 3 takeaways from our workshop to help you stand out in an AI world:

1. Your power skills are what employers need now

While AI handles routine tasks, organizations are desperately searching for people with human-centered skills: emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, relationship-building, complex problem-solving shaped by real experience.

You've spent years developing these capabilities. But if you can't identify and articulate them, you'll stay invisible in the market. AI can write your resume – but only you can uncover what makes you irreplaceable.

2. Your values are your decision-making filter

Getting clear on your core values isn't a “nice to have.” It's strategic. Your values become the parameters for evaluating opportunities – a way to say yes to roles that energize you and no to ones that don't.

AI can suggest job matches – but only you can determine what's non-negotiable for your next chapter. Only you know, you!

3. Community accelerates everything

At our workshop, women ranged from interns to professionals in their 40, 50s and 60s – and they all benefited from hearing each other's stories and struggles. The fastest way through a transition isn't going it alone. It's having structure, support, and other people who get it.

AI can provide information, but it can't provide the human connection that actually moves you forward. Relationships are the foundation of your career – whether you’re in a role or searching for one now.

So before you update that resume or ask ChatGPT to write your cover letter, this is how you can AI-proof your career. 

Ask yourself:

• What do I want to be known for?

• What are my non-negotiable values?

• What skills have I honed that are transferable?

• What impact do I actually want to make?

• What does thriving look like for me?

  
  

We know thesenquestions aren't easy. They take time and honest reflection. But they're the foundation for everything that comes next!

It’s easier when you have support, tools and accountability to make it happen.

Ready to go deeper? Learn about EvolveMe’s signature Reinvention Collective group coaching cohort here and our 1:1 career advising services.

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Judy Schoenberg and Linda Lautenberg are the co-founders of EvolveMe, a career growth consultancy for women in midlife career transitions. Their next Reinvention Collective cohort begins March 10th at Luminary in NYC.