For portfolio projects, consider building:
- Multi-agent collaboration systems using frameworks like LangChain, CrewAI, or LangGraph
- RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems that can ingest various document types
- Autonomous agents that can perform complex workflows with minimal supervision
The Role of Certifications
Are AI certification programs worthwhile? Generally, Chase Johnson's "hot take" is no. While certifications level up your knowledge, they are not necessarily going to set you apart if you don't also show how you've applied that knowledge (i.e., with proof of work).
The exception is for roles requiring specific validation, such as security engineering, where certifications tend to have an impact.
Resume Mechanics: Formatting and Personalization
When it comes to formatting, either a PDF or a Word document is acceptable. However, PDF is often preferred because the visual layout is guaranteed to stay the same. It's crucial to make sure your LinkedIn matches your résumé to avoid slight red flags.
In 2025, 65% of hiring managers said they prefer resumes with interactive features, such as clickable links or embedded videos – up 10% from last year Canva. Additionally, 62% of hiring managers prefer colorful resumes over black-and-white ones Canva, reinforcing the importance of visual appeal.
Most importantly, you must make your proof of work unavoidable. Link your personal website or portfolio in the dedicated spot on the application form, on LinkedIn, and directly in your actual résumé. If your portfolio contains proprietary work and is password-protected, make sure to include the password; this basic step is missed 30% of the time.
Moving Beyond Keyword Soup
Instead of relying on keyword matching, use AI as a tool to refine your existing experience. You can throw the job description into your favorite AI tool and ask it to analyze your current résumé, identifying where your experience matches well and which projects you should speak to more directly. The goal is clarity of thought and direct action.
Using AI to craft applications is now easier than ever, but transparency is key – 73% of hiring managers believe candidates should disclose generative AI use in application materials Canva.
The ultimate takeaway is that personalization—highlighting things that are actually connected to the role you're applying to—is what's most important.
Addressing Employment Gaps
If you have a gap in your employment history, remember that honesty always wins. You need to know how to speak to your story, whether it involved a layoff, being fired, or stepping away for circumstantial reasons (like caring for family).
Hiring teams are generally looking for what you did in that gap to better yourself.
If you contributed to an open-source project, that is "huge".
If you tinkered and learned a new language, this "speaks volumes".
Regarding the résumé format, it is not recommended to add a "Career Break" as its own specific work experience block. Instead, put your last experience, and be ready to acknowledge the gap in the summary or recruiting call.
How to Skip the Application Pit
Since the odds are so low when relying only on the application process, reaching out directly to recruiters or hiring managers is an effective way to skip the line.
Target a maximum of two really solid outreach attempts (do not email the entire company).
When performing cold outreach, you must be very thoughtful about the messaging. Make it easy for the recruiter to endorse and push for you.
A highly effective message would look like this: "Hey Chase, I saw this opening. I think I'm a great fit because of A and B. Here's a document/portfolio to show you how I work. Would you be willing to share this with the hiring manager?".
LinkedIn messages and work emails are appropriate channels; sometimes even X/Twitter can work, depending on the audience.
Attend events (online or in person) hosted by the company you are excited about. This is an "underrated" way to get face time, allowing a recruiter to vouch for you personally.
Personal branding has become a key differentiator for success. Social media now plays a pivotal role in job searches, with 94% of hiring managers valuing candidates who've established a social media presence related to their careers Canva.
Navigating Experience Levels
Recruiters acknowledge that listed experience requirements are often flexible. If you are within a year or a year and a half of the required experience, there is likely some leniency, as managers often post high expectations but are open to strong candidates at a level lower.
For senior or staff engineers, while simple side projects are fine (tinkering intent has high value), a highly effective way to stand out is to have a blog and write about your work or interests. This demonstrates that you are capable of talking about and sharing why the technical work is interesting to you.
If you are over-experienced, the hiring side's concern often centers on whether you will jump ship as soon as a higher-level opportunity arises, or if the comp alignment is off. Candidates should address this concern directly and confidently. You must be true to yourself and dial in your "brand for your career," signaling clearly what you are looking for—for example, explicitly stating that you are a high-level Individual Contributor (IC) and not seeking a management track.
The Reality of AI's Impact on Employment
According to PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, wages are rising for AI-powered workers even in the most highly automatable roles, with a wage premium of up to 25% for workers with AI skills compared to those without PwC. This suggests that AI skills are making workers more valuable, not less.
The median annual salary for AI roles in Q1 2025 rose to $156,998 Veritone, with AI/Machine Learning Engineer experiencing the fastest growth, with a 13.1% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 41.8% increase year-over-year Veritone.
However, the landscape varies by experience level. While AI and data science specialists are among the fastest-growing job categories in 2025, entry-level jobs are especially vulnerable National University. This creates a paradox: huge demand for AI talent, but fewer traditional entry points.
Your Next Steps
The AI job market in 2025 is a tale of two realities: unprecedented opportunity for those who can demonstrate real skills, and unprecedented competition for those relying on traditional approaches. Your superpower lies not in perfecting your resume, but in building a body of work that speaks for itself.
Start today by:
- Building one substantial AI project that solves a real problem
- Creating a simple portfolio website or organized document showcasing your work
- Writing about your learning journey and technical insights
- Engaging with the AI community through open-source contributions
- Reaching out strategically to companies you're excited about
Remember: In 2025, your degree isn't your resume. Your GitHub is Medium. The projects you build and the problems you solve will set you apart in ways a bullet-pointed resume never could.
