West Ward Beans Series | Mondays + Wednesdays | Week 1
Let’s breaking down the tools that are actually helping real people get jobs in today’s market.
Let’s be real—job hunting today can feel like shouting into the void. You send out application after application and… crickets. But we’re not doing that anymore. Welcome to Getting a Job with AI, a six-week series dropping every Monday and Wednesday to help you land the role you deserve—using smart, accessible AI tools that lighten the load. Whether you’re pivoting careers, re-entering the workforce, or leveling up, this is for you. And in true West Ward Beans fashion—let’s talk about the facts.
As of April 2025, 7.17 million Americans are unemployed, with a national unemployment rate of 4.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For Hispanic or Latinx job seekers, that number climbs to 5.2%. For Black or African American workers, it’s even higher—6.3%.
Black women face a 1.6 times higher unemployment risk than white women—despite being among the most educated and entrepreneurial demographics in the country. While the BLS hasn’t provided exact figures on mothers, recent reports confirm that many women with children are back in the labor force—but “present” doesn’t always mean “paid fairly” or “working in a role that honors your worth. That’s why this series matters. Because today’s job search is about working smarter and reclaiming power in a system that often overlooks us.
Let’s start with the platforms changing the game.
LinkedIn uses AI to compare your profile with job descriptions in real time, ranking applicants and pushing the best matches forward. But its real power goes beyond the algorithm. LinkedIn gives you a window into a company: browse team members, get a feel for the culture, and see if the hiring manager is active. If you’re bold, you can even reach out to current employees or hiring leaders for insight.
Truth be told, LinkedIn—our once boring, older, “safe” social media cousin—has evolved. It’s now, dare I say, cool. What used to be a stale job board has transformed into a living, breathing space for networking, community-building, and personal branding. You can now share video content, go live, publish newsletters, and build your own audience within the platform. Hiring managers aren’t just looking at résumés—they’re watching your posts, reading your insights, and seeing who you engage with.
ZipRecruiter takes a more proactive approach. Its smart matching tool scans your skills and experience, then actively pitches you to employers. You’re not just browsing listings—you’re being recommended behind the scenes.
Eightfold.ai is like a career compass. It analyzes your background and suggests career paths you may not have considered—perfect for pivots, upskilling, or starting fresh in a new industry.
Pymetrics uses behavioral science to match you with roles based on your cognitive and emotional strengths. Ideal for folks who feel boxed in by a résumé or overlooked for jobs they’d thrive in but haven’t technically held.
Together, these tools aren’t just job boards—they’re strategic allies in your career journey.
Now—about Indeed. Yes, it’s one of the most visited job boards on the planet. But that doesn’t mean it’s the smartest place to spend your time. Too many listings are outdated, duplicated, or already filled. Even worse? The platform is crowded with third-party recruiters and vague job posts that lack transparency. Translation: you waste time chasing ghosts instead of building a future that exists.There are smarter ways to search now—and they don’t start with hitting “Easy Apply” 40 times a day.
Coming up, we’ll break down résumé tools that beat the bots, AI interview prep that builds confidence, and salary estimators that help you ask for more. But next up? The other elephant in the inbox: SKILLS!
Let’s be honest—just because you wrapped your mom’s ankle last week doesn’t mean you should apply for that nursing job(I hope I made you laugh here). We’ll show you how AI aligned with free or low-cost learning platforms can help you fill the gaps, translate real-life experience, and move into your next role and own it.
See you Wednesday. I’ll bring the coffee!
