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Unemployed? How to Upskill in AI and Other Key Areas for Career Progression
🇮🇪 Ireland /Culture & Society

Unemployed? How to Upskill in AI and Other Key Areas for Career Progression

From Irish Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • An unemployed individual in their 50s seeks advice on upskilling for career progression, particularly in AI.
  • Employers are increasingly valuing AI literacy, practical application of AI tools, and adaptability over technical expertise.
  • Soft skills like adaptability, reliability, and communication remain crucial, alongside strong digital skills and experience with business systems.

An individual in their 50s, currently unemployed after an 18-month contract, is seeking guidance on upskilling for career advancement, with a specific interest in artificial intelligence (AI).

Candidates who can show practical use of AI, for example drafting emails, summarising documents, organising workloads, improving reporting, or streamlining admin tasks, are already standing out.

— Breda DooleyBreda Dooley, recruitment manager at Matrix Recruitment, explains what makes candidates stand out in the current job market.

Experts in recruitment and career progression suggest that employers are not necessarily looking for technical AI experts. Instead, a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, confidence in using AI tools for everyday tasks like drafting emails or summarizing documents, and an understanding of how AI can boost productivity are highly desirable. Candidates demonstrating practical AI applications are already standing out in the job market.

The key is to focus on one or two areas that complement existing experience rather than trying to learn everything at once.

— Breda DooleyDooley advises on a strategic approach to upskilling.

Online certifications in areas such as Excel, digital skills, project coordination, and AI fundamentals are viewed favorably. Career advisors recommend focusing on one or two areas that complement existing experience rather than attempting to learn too much at once. Crucially, soft skills such as adaptability, a willingness to learn, and practical, transferable abilities are highly valued, often as much as formal qualifications. Employers also prioritize reliability, communication skills, and the ability to multitask.

Employers value reliability, communication skills and the ability to multitask just as highly as qualifications.

— Breda DooleyDooley emphasizes the importance of soft skills in career progression.

For someone with an administrative background, strengthening digital skills remains paramount. Advanced Excel and data handling are consistently requested across various roles. Familiarity with enterprise systems like SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, or other CRM platforms can also significantly enhance a resume. The key is to actively demonstrate self-development and highlight these skills clearly when applying for positions.

Advanced Excel and data handling is still one of the most consistently requested skills across admin, finance support, and operations roles.

— Breda DooleyDooley highlights the enduring demand for specific digital skills.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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