How will AI affect your job security?

What tech skills do job seekers need to thrive in their search? Rex Lawrence of produce job search firm Joe Produce answers that question and more in this ZAG Tech-partnered “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast.

lettuce logo for podcast and headshot of white man
lettuce logo for podcast and headshot of white man
(Logo: Farm Journal; photo: LinkedIn)

Let’s dive into one of the biggest tech fears of the past year, and course-correct the fear: Your job is not going to be replaced by AI, but you could be replaced by somebody who knows how to use AI.

That almost answers the questions: What are AI prompt engineers, besides some of the highest-paid people these days? What tech skills do job seekers need to thrive in their search?

Addressing these questions and more is the president of Joe Produce, an online job center for produce, agriculture and related companies and produce people across the entire food chain — from seed to store.

He’s the featured guest on this ZAG Tech-partnered episode of the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast.

“I think technology has been hugely important to me and my business; it’s equally as important to connect with people on a direct basis also,” said Rex Lawrence, the executive recruiting firm’s leader.

As far as job seekers, being comfortable with technology and an ability to keep looking ahead will be “hugely important” for many jobs, he said.

“Even in a position that doesn’t have much tech involved in it, companies now more-so want people who have a comfort level in technology and an openness to adapt to using technology,” he said. “That’s kind of the starting point of the spectrum today, even in positions where technology isn’t necessarily a normal or regular requisite to that position, like sales.”

Related: ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ podcast — How ‘green teams’ help 3 California farms reduce waste by 2025

So, all of us need to be open to it, he said.

“I think the people who refuse to accept technology and utilize it and find balance with it, those are the people who are in jeopardy,” Lawrence said. “But if you can embrace it and utilize it to the degree you need to or want to, I think you’re in a much safer position.”

Rob Collings of ZAG Tech has three takeaways from this chat:

  • People matter.
  • Comfort with technology matters.
  • Company culture matters.

Melinda Goodman of Full Tilt Marketing took away this tidbit too: Just roll with it. Adapt.

For more information, visit joeproduce.com, joeproducesearch, joejproresumes.com.

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