What you can and can’t use AI for in your career search
What This Forbes Career-Change Article Missed…
I’m all for using tools like ChatGPT to support exploration and strategy but if you’re genuinely stuck in your job, frustrated at the status quo or considering a pivot that feels big, there are important gaps in this advice that matter deeply in real life.
Here’s what I think the article overlooks and why it matters for your next move.
1. It Treats Career Change as a Thinking Problem Instead of a Human Problem
AI prompts can be a helpful way to:
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identify values
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analyse skills gaps
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plan networking
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plan finances
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optimise applications
These, of course, are key to any career move BUT if you’re feeling stuck then you probably have already thought hard about your dissatisfaction. Often then, it isn’t a lack of prompts but the psychological permission to leave and the confidence to act. A career move is often tied up with things like:
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fear of regret
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identity loss (“Who am I if I let this go?”)
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emotional cost of changing direction
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internal resistance
2. You often need more nuance
There’s value in using AI for ideation and structure but:
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ChatGPT can hallucinate labour market assumptions
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It can’t judge whether a pivot is actually realistic for your context
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It can’t factor subjective organisational dynamics, internal politics, or hiring realities
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It can’t help you navigate systemic barriers like bias, visa limitations, or care responsibilities
Prompts generate possibilities but they don’t validate viability that always requires people, data and real conversations.
Networking is often emotional
I love the structured networking prompt within the article which can help build insight into who to connect with, conversation starters and platforms etc.
But many professionals don’t lack strategy. They lack:
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confidence to reach out
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belief they deserve help
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ways to frame vulnerability without risk
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emotional boundary management
Networking isn’t just execution, it’s about courage too.
It Ignores Identity and Meaning
Skills, values, networking, finances, applications are all super useful areas to spend some time thinking about but if you’re stuck, you likely also need to think about:
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what this transition means to you
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how a new role aligns (or doesn’t) with your identity story
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the grief inherent in leaving a career you once wanted
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the fear that the next job won’t fix anything
So What Does Matter When You’re Stuck?
If you’re serious about change, the most helpful questions aren’t just:
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“What job fits my values?”
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“What skills do I lack?”
They’re:
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“What am I actually avoiding?”
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“What story am I telling myself about failure, safety, identity or worth?”
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“What evidence do I have that the next step will feel better?”
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“What small experiment can I do today that tests not just strategy but meaning?”
TLDR:
Tools like ChatGPT can:
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accelerate ideation
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structure your thinking
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help with deadlines and drafts
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generate pathways you didn’t see
But they can’t:
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give you courage
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repair confidence
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hold your emotional context
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replace human judgment, nuance or lived experience
If you’re ready to take the next career step and want some human support that offers nuance, insight and accountability then consider booking in for a complimentary intro call to see how I can help.
You can book here.
Or forward this email to someone who might benefit.
*note: my fees increase by 20% in March 2026.
Here’s to careers that feel more you this year.
Until next time,
Rebecca
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That’s it for this week.
Keep showing up, keeping on and building something you love.
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