If you’re just starting out, the job market can feel overwhelming with all the AI chatter
AI hype can make the job market feel overwhelming. Build genuine skill, pursue valuable work, and stay grounded in fundamentals instead of chasing every shiny narrative.
By Vishnu Rajkumar · Marginalia
note · LinkedIn
If you’re just starting out, the job market can feel overwhelming with all the AI chatter. Scroll through LinkedIn and most of what you see are outcomes: big titles, flashy projects, stories of overnight success. What you rarely see is the messy middle, the grind that actually gets you there. That gap creates a mirage, making it tempting to rush toward the end goal while skipping the fundamentals. On top of that, remember that every voice you hear carries a bias. Investors are pushing hype; founders are selling tools; employees are selling themselves. If you mistake those biases for truth, you’ll spend your time running in circles.
The reality is much simpler; there are only two things that matter. Get genuinely good at what you do; and make sure what you’re doing is valuable for the future. Don’t spread yourself across too many directions and settle for mediocrity in all of them. AI is not the end of the job market, but chasing every shiny narrative without grounding yourself in fundamentals is the fastest way to burn out before you even begin... More on future proofing your career in first comment