You Don't Have to Love AI. But You Do Need to Talk About It.
Let's be honest. Most of us are tired of hearing about AI.
Every headline seems to be about AI. Every company claims to be using AI. Every LinkedIn post is either celebrating AI or warning us that it's coming for our jobs.
At this point, many professionals have one reaction: "Can we please talk about something else?"
I get it.
But whether you love it, hate it, fear it, or are simply tired of hearing about it, AI has officially become part of the workplace conversation.
And that means it needs to become part of your career conversation, too. No, I'm not saying you need to become an AI expert. I'm saying that if you're applying for jobs in 2026, employers increasingly want to know one thing:
How are you using technology, including AI, to work smarter?
The New Question Hiring Managers Are Asking
A few years ago, employers wanted to know if you could use Microsoft Office.
Today, they're beginning to ask:
Have you used AI tools?
How have you improved efficiency?
How do you adapt to new technology?
Can you leverage AI without sacrificing quality?
The good news? You may already have examples without realizing it.
If You're in Administration or Executive Support
Maybe you've used ChatGPT to draft meeting agendas, summarize notes, organize information, or create first drafts of communications.
That doesn't mean AI did your job.
It means you used technology to improve productivity. That's worth talking about.
If You're in Marketing or Communications
AI can help brainstorm content ideas, create outlines, analyze trends, or generate initial drafts.
The key isn't saying:
"I used ChatGPT."
The key is saying:
"I leveraged AI tools to accelerate content development and improve workflow efficiency."
See the difference? One sounds like a shortcut. The other sounds strategic.
If You're in HR or Recruiting
Many recruiters are already using AI to assist with job descriptions, sourcing strategies, candidate communications, and screening support.
Being able to discuss how you've integrated AI into your workflow demonstrates adaptability and forward thinking.
If You're in Operations, Project Management, or Leadership
This is where many professionals underestimate themselves.
Maybe you've used AI to:
Analyze data
Summarize reports
Draft project plans
Create process documentation
Improve team workflows
Those are valuable examples because they show you're focused on efficiency and problem-solving.
If You're in Healthcare, Education, Finance, or Other Highly Regulated Industries
The conversation is often less about using AI directly and more about understanding its role. Employers want professionals who can balance innovation with compliance, accuracy, ethics, and human judgment.
Simply being aware of how AI is impacting your industry can become a competitive advantage.
Should AI Go on Your Resume?
Sometimes.
If AI tools are becoming relevant to your target role, consider including them in a technical skills section or mentioning them when describing process improvements and efficiency gains.
But don't force it.
Hiring managers are less interested in seeing "ChatGPT" listed on a resume and more interested in understanding how you've used technology to create results.
The Interview Question You Should Be Ready For
I would not be surprised if more candidates start hearing some version of this question:
"How have you used AI in your current role?"
If that question came up tomorrow, would you have an answer?
If not, now is the time to start thinking about it.
Final Thought From Birch Group
You don't have to become an AI expert. You don't need to spend every evening testing the latest tools. And you definitely don't need to turn into one of those people posting AI prompts on LinkedIn all day.
But you do need to understand how technology is changing your profession and be prepared to talk about it.
Because whether we like it or not, AI is becoming part of the hiring conversation.
The professionals who can speak confidently about how they adapt, learn, and leverage new tools will have an advantage over those who pretend it isn't happening.
And right now, that's a conversation worth preparing for.
Not Sure How to Talk About AI on Your Resume?
You're not alone.
One of the biggest challenges professionals face right now is figuring out how to incorporate new technologies into their resumes and interview stories without sounding forced or inauthentic.
If you're struggling to position your experience for today's hiring market, I'd be happy to help.
👉 Schedule a free consultation and let's build a resume that reflects not only where you've been, but where the workplace is headed.