I Got Rejected 100 Times So I Built My Own Job With AI

How I Became an AI Change Manager

Introduction to Jackie and Her Journey

• Jackie introduces herself as an AI change manager, sharing her background and the context of her story about being laid off from a big tech job at Asenture.

• She explains that her position was eliminated due to automation, highlighting the impact of AI on job roles.

The Layoff Experience

• Jackie recounts the timeline of her layoff, noting that she stopped receiving income in February after being informed in December.

• She describes the challenging job market during this period, filled with rejections despite applying widely and even for positions below her qualifications.

• Jackie shares personal struggles during this time, including financial difficulties exacerbated by her husband's unemployment and property damage caused by a tenant.

Emotional Struggles and Turning Point

• She discusses entering a depressive state due to repeated failures in securing employment and feelings of inadequacy.

• A pivotal moment occurs when feedback from viewers on a video about their layoff inspires her to take action rather than remain passive.

Learning About AI Tools

• Jackie decides to explore how to effectively use ChatGPT after hearing discussions about it online.

• She begins experimenting with prompts in ChatGPT, seeking guidance on how to utilize the tool effectively for her situation.

Discovering New Skills Through AI

• After learning how to prompt correctly, she realizes that mastering this skill can significantly enhance her capabilities beyond generic uses of AI tools.

• Jackie shifts focus from merely finding a job to leveraging AI for self-assessment regarding skills relevant for employment opportunities.

• By inputting her resume into ChatGPT, she receives insights into missing skills that could improve her employability.

Reevaluating Career Path Options

• This process leads Jackie to reconsider not just job applications but also potential business ventures based on identified skills.

• Ultimately, she recognizes that instead of surviving through traditional job hunting methods, she can create new opportunities using insights gained from AI tools.

Job Application Insights and Change Management Transition

Struggles with Job Applications

• The speaker discusses the challenges faced while applying for implementation and payroll jobs, noting that many positions require specific experience they lacked at the time.

• After submitting a list of job applications, the speaker received feedback on their resume, which highlighted issues leading to repeated rejections.

• A key takeaway is the importance of providing detailed information when seeking assistance to receive relevant and actionable advice.

Identifying Gaps in Skills

• The speaker emphasizes that vague or insufficient input can lead to unhelpful responses; thus, clarity is crucial in communication.

• They analyze common failure points in implementation projects, identifying gaps related to training, understanding current vs. future states, and communication.

Discovering Change Management as a Career Path

• Through analysis of their experiences in workforce management implementations, the speaker identifies a potential career path as a change manager based on observed project failures.

• Upon researching change management roles, they realize many responsibilities align with their current skills and experiences.

Transitioning into Consulting

• The speaker cross-references their resume with change manager duties to confirm alignment between their skills and job requirements.

• Affirmation from this analysis leads them to consider transitioning into consulting focused on change management.

Building a Business Strategy

• The process of developing a business model includes creating proposals and defining target audiences while leveraging prior consulting knowledge for pricing strategies.

• Utilizing LinkedIn effectively becomes pivotal; the speaker reaches out regarding open change management positions using tailored scripts derived from previous insights.

Networking and Interview Preparation

• After initial outreach yields no response, persistence pays off when an interview opportunity arises two weeks later.

• To prepare adequately for this contractor position discussion, they seek clarification about the meeting's nature from the company representative.

Successful Interview Experience

• The preparation involves utilizing ChatGPT for refining presentation materials but not creating them entirely through AI tools.

• During the interview, connections are made over shared backgrounds in consulting firms which foster rapport with the interviewer.

Ideas for Practice Development

• In discussing practice development during the interview, the speaker confidently shares ideas aligned with their business model aspirations.

How I Turned a Layoff into a $100,000 Opportunity

The Initial Struggle After Layoff

• The speaker reflects on their feelings of uncertainty after a layoff, expressing that they felt abandoned with no communication following discussions about potential opportunities.

• Financial pressures mounted as bills and mortgage payments continued, leading to anxiety about their situation until an email prompted a follow-up chat.

Seizing the Opportunity

• A conversation led to being brought onto a project focused on change management, which resulted in a significant engagement worth over $70,000.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of not letting setbacks hinder ambition; the layoff became a catalyst for personal growth and new opportunities.

Embracing AI in Professional Growth

• The speaker decided against returning to traditional 9-to-5 jobs due to past experiences and recognized the need for self-reliance in career advancement.

• Since joining the project, the initial engagement has expanded beyond $100,000 due to ongoing opportunities with the client.

Insights on AI's Role

• The speaker shares their belief in AI's potential despite its flaws; it requires validation from practitioners who must understand its outputs deeply.

• They credit AI for providing unexpected options and ideas that transformed their career path from payroll to change management.

Conclusion and Call for Engagement

• The speaker invites viewers to express interest in more content related to their journey with AI and change management practices.

• They encourage feedback on creating behind-the-scenes videos detailing how they utilized AI over several weeks to build their current business.