Even the most experienced learning leaders are feeling the pressure of today’s job market. Roles are fewer, competition is fiercer and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping everything from resumes to interviews.

Recent data from LinkedIn’s Workforce Report shows U.S. hiring has dropped 6.6% year-over-year. In addition to this slow down, a rise in the use of automated resume screeners and AI throughout the hiring process may result in qualified candidates getting rejected without human oversight.

Despite these challenges, learning and development (L&D) professionals are well positioned to take on a job hunt. LinkedIn Learning reports that adaptability, conflict mitigation and creative problem-solving are among the most in-demand skills right now. These are areas where L&D pros already excel and, in fact, they are typically the ones designing upskilling programs in these capabilities.

The problem is that skills alone won’t cut it in today’s job market. The challenge is getting noticed.

In a recent Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) roundtable discussion, L&D job seekers shared the creative, practical and AI-powered ways they’re standing out — and getting hired. Here are their top strategies.

1. Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage

A strong LinkedIn profile is essential. Make sure your title and summary reflect not just your past or current role but where you want to go next, advises Lillian Ogbogoh, CPTM, training and adoption manager for Sompo, UK. It should be forward-facing and showcase the value you will bring to your next role.

“Your banner is the equivalent of a business card. Use it to highlight who you are and what you aim for to capture the attention of recruiters,” says Ogbogoh. “Also, use LinkedIn to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. Write articles and posts that invite engagement by adding a call to action at the end.”

Another LinkedIn tip participants shared is to try filtering jobs by those posted in the past 24 hours to catch new opportunities early. For more targeted roles, check out industry-specific sites.

2. Let AI Be Your Assistant, Not Your Author

If it’s been a while since you last touched your resume, it can be a huge undertaking to try to condense the last five, 10 even 20 years into scannable bullets — made especially challenging considering that a human may not be the first to read them. While that can feel daunting, generative AI can greatly lighten the load of a resume refresh or rewrite.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot can help you optimize both resumes and cover letters. These tools can also help identify keyword gaps and suggest edits that may help your resume pass the initial screening, but they shouldn’t replace your unique voice.

“AI should refine your voice, not replace it,” says Anita Mihelic, director of learning and development for ConstructConnect.  “Use AI to specialize your resume, polish your cover letter and prep for potential interview questions, but your unique voice should always shine through.”

Smart uses of AI in job hunting:

• Review your resume against job descriptions: AI can help you speak in terms the recruiters — or bots — will understand. Incorporating job-specific keywords and phrases into your resume can help you get through the first round of screening, but make sure your resume still feels true to you. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t speak to it during an interview, don’t include it on your resume.
• Draft cover letters: Love them or hate them, many job applications still require cover letters. AI can make this task easier, but don’t forget to edit. AI-generated cover letters are often formulaic and obvious. Try feeding the AI examples of past cover letters you’ve written (or any other past writing) and ask it to mimic your style.
• Find hiring managers on LinkedIn: Use AI to research the company you are applying to and find the hiring team. Once you find them, reach out via LinkedIn or email with a brief, impactful statement on what you’d bring to the table (AI can help with this part, too). It’s a low-risk move that could put your name at the top of the heap.
• Practice interview questions: The STAR method (which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a framework for thoroughly and effectively answering behavioral and situational interview questions. Brain dump your career highlights into AI and it will help you frame your experience using the STAR method. But do practice saying the words out loud before your interview to make sure it sounds like you.

Make sure you keep the human touch, says Mihelic. “After applying or submitting a resume, reach out directly to the recruiter and hiring manager, if possible, to reinforce your interest in the role. And always send a thank you note! This still makes a difference,” she says.

3. Connect the Dots Between Your Experience and Impact

Hiring managers want to know the outcomes of your work. That means being able to articulate key performance indicators (KPIs), results and the business impact of your training programs.

Struggling to sum up years of experience under one title? You’re not alone. Consider keeping a “story bank” of projects, wins and lessons learned to draw from when tailoring applications.

Mike Peditto, author of The Realistic Recruiting Newsletter, recommends preparing four core stories for interviews: your most successful project, your least successful project, a difficult stakeholder story and a passion project. Lean on these stories repeatedly to highlight how your work has had a direct impact on the companies you’ve worked for.

4. Stay Curious and Consistent

Even if you’re not actively searching for your next opportunity, it’s worth it to stay engaged. Monitor the job market, set up alerts and make time each week to build your network. A small touch can go a long way and may even lead to an opportunity you weren’t looking for.

Networking and informal coffee meetings can help you keep your interview skills sharp, even when you’re not actively interviewing. Practice talking about your work using the STAR method and four core stories and ask for feedback from people you trust.

Final Thoughts

Job hunting in L&D isn’t easy right now. But it’s also a chance to shape your story — what makes you uniquely valuable — and connect with others who are navigating similar journeys. Use AI wisely, lean on your community and keep showing up.