Nervous about the job market? 5 ways to stand out in the age of AI

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• AI is having a big impact on the IT job market.
• Career-minded professionals need myriad capabilities.
• Get close to the business, be flexible, and stay curious.

It's a tough time to be a young person in the job market. Research from Stanford University suggests workers ages 22 to 25 are seeing the steepest declines in employment, especially in fields most exposed to AI-enabled automation.

Software engineer jobs for workers aged 22 through 25 declined nearly 20% in 2025 compared to their peak in 2022. For IT professionals hoping to find work and then climb the career ladder, the rise of AI brings new obstacles to long-term career success.

Also: Need a new job? These AI roles are the fastest-growing in the US, says LinkedIn

So, how can next-generation IT professionals ...