Over the past few months, a clear pattern has emerged across job boards, interview panels, and hiring conversations:

“AI fluency” is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s expected.

On Reddit, job seekers are noticing the shift. One wrote:

Another put it more bluntly:

The truth is, AI is now woven into how modern teams work - from marketing to operations to customer success. But what’s often missing is clarity about what “fluency” actually means. Most people assume it requires technical depth or formal credentials. It doesn’t.

Right now, we’re in a rare moment:

AI is new enough that everyone is still figuring it out - but valuable enough that hiring managers are prioritizing it.

This is the time to lean in. You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need to be someone who can think critically about how AI is changing your function - and communicate that clearly.

One of my clients did exactly that - and landed a role at a top SF tech company focused on collaborative workflows. Here’s how she did it.

She came to me just after returning from maternity leave. Before stepping out, she held a senior customer experience role - but AI hadn’t yet been integrated into her team’s day-to-day work. When she re-entered the market over a year later, the landscape had changed dramatically.

The job she was applying for called out “AI fluency” directly in the job description. That language immediately raised doubts.

“I haven’t used AI tools professionally,” she told me.
“Does that mean I’m already behind?”

Not at all. We just needed to build a thoughtful, role-specific understanding of how she could apply AI - not just use it casually.

We gave her a focused crash course that helped her feel confident speaking about AI in interviews - and more importantly, thinking strategically about it in her future role. A few weeks later, she landed the offer.

Here’s how we structured the process.

Rather than starting with AI tools, we began with the company’s product.

Since this was a customer experience role, we studied how end-users typically interacted with the platform, where common support challenges occurred, and what internal workflows might look like.

From there, we identified areas where AI could play a meaningful role in improving speed, quality, or insights.

This context allowed her to speak with clarity - not about abstract technology, but about specific opportunities to drive better outcomes with AI.

This is the heart of AI fluency:
​It’s not about using every tool - it’s about knowing where and why to apply them.

Next, we developed a short list of AI use cases that would be relevant to her work.

These included:

• Automating repetitive tasks like ticket sorting and tagging
• Using AI to draft first-pass responses or generate macro suggestions
• Running analysis on customer sentiment or support trends
• Streamlining internal reporting or prepping customer briefings

These weren’t theoretical. They were practical, grounded in her previous experience, and clearly tied to business impact.

Importantly, she didn’t position herself as someone who had already done all of this. Instead, she said, “Here’s how I would approach it now.” That mindset - curious, proactive, and business-aware - is what hiring managers are really looking for.

Finally, we worked on how to talk about her growing AI fluency.

In interviews, it’s not enough to know the tools - you need to communicate your thought process clearly and confidently.

We focused on three key areas:

1. Positioning: She framed herself as a fast learner and critical thinker, not a tech expert. That made her credible and approachable.
2. Curiosity: She asked smart, open-ended questions in interviews, which led to real conversations—not rehearsed answers.
3. Confidence: She shared how she’d been actively learning and experimenting with AI since returning to the job market, and how that effort informed her thinking about the role.

The result? She stood out (and landed the role)

Not because she claimed to know everything, but because she showed that she was ready to add value in a changing environment.

If you're job searching right now - or planning to soon - it’s essential to build a baseline of AI fluency. Not because every job requires deep technical knowledge, but because every job is being reshaped by this technology.

Here’s the good news:
​No one is an expert yet.

There’s no official certification or single path. The people getting hired right now are the ones who are willing to engage, learn, and think critically about how AI can enhance the work they already do.

And that’s something you can start today.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here’s a simple framework:

1. Learn the landscape​
Choose 1 - 2 tools that are relevant to your field. Watch tutorials, play with features, and explore how others are using them. ChatGPT, Claude, Notion AI, and Perplexity are all great starting points.

2. Focus on application​
Don’t just learn the tool - think about how it could solve real problems in your function. Whether you’re in CX, ops, marketing, or sales, there are already hundreds of use cases being tested and adopted. I recommend creating "test" or "play" projects to solve issues in your day-to-day life so you can start applying right away (hello to faster grocery shopping and meal planning).

3. Practice talking about it​
You don’t need to sound like a technologist. But you do need to be able to articulate what you’re learning, what excites you, and how you’re thinking about the future of your work.

4. Stay curious​
This is a moving target. What matters is your ability to adapt, explore, and stay open. That’s what employers are really testing for.

If you’re looking to re-enter the workforce, switch roles, or simply stay competitive in a rapidly shifting market, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

I've got a few spots left this month for a FREE Career Strategy Call. We'll talk about your goals and you'll leave with clarity, a plan and confidence for your next step.

Until next week,

Beckie

P.S. This shift isn’t slowing down. AI is here to stay - and it’s reshaping every part of the job market. But if you take the time to learn how it applies to your world, you won’t just keep up. You’ll lead.

If this feels tricky, jump on a call with me and I'll show you next steps.