The RISE Framework
If you’ve been following along for the last several weeks, you’ll remember we introduced the RISE Framework—your blueprint for a strategic, AI-powered job search. Last week, the focus was on scouting potential employers. The week before that, it was about analyzing industry trends. This week, we shift focus to the last R—Researching Yourself by identifying your professional skill gaps.
Research – Understanding industry trends and scouting potential employers
Implementation – Build your job search toolkit (starting next week)
Simulation – Practice with AI-driven feedback (coming soon)
Engagement – Build visibility and network strategically (coming soon)
This marks the final Research step in your journey. Just like in The Matrix, knowledge is power—but applying that knowledge is what sets you apart.
“I Know Kung Fu” (But Do You?)
Neo plugged in, blinked, and suddenly knew Kung Fu.
Unfortunately, the real world does not function like The Matrix. There is no instant download for skills, no "learning injection" that prepares job seekers for the market in seconds. Sigh.
But while we can’t upload skills, we can learn them efficiently. And the first step to leveling up is knowing where your gaps are.
This is where Research comes in.
The Rabbithole of Research: When to Stop
Anytime you do research, it can feel like falling into a Matrix-level simulation—one search leads to another, then another, and suddenly, you've spent three hours deep-diving into industry trends, and perhaps an inadvertent cat video or two instead of applying for jobs.
The value of this step depends entirely on what you choose to put into it along with the discipline to stay focused. Like market research, identifying skills gaps can become a rabbithole, so it’s crucial to know when enough is enough.
If you want to level up your knowledge, skills and abilities, set clear goals, allocate dedicated time, and choose the most effective learning methods that work best for you.
Cracking the Code: What Do Employers Really Want?
Before you can upgrade, you need to know what matters. Researching job descriptions and identifying patterns in required skills gives you a realistic map of where you stand versus where you need to be.
How to Conduct a Skills Audit:
Collect 5 relevant job postings you’re interested in.
Find 5 professionals currently performing the type of role you're interested in, ideally at target companies.
Extract the top 5 required skills from each.
Compare them against your own capabilities – highlight any gaps.
Create a plan: List two action steps per missing skill to start closing those gaps.
Pro Tip: If you see the same skills appearing across multiple job descriptions, that’s a strong signal that they’re must-haves in your field.
Imagine manually copying and pasting all this data into a blank document, only to then struggle with piecing together an actionable outcome. The process can quickly become overwhelming without a structured approach.
“Load the Skills Program” – AI as Your Research Assistant
If Morpheus had ChatGPT, he wouldn’t need to manually train Neo—he’d just feed him a well-crafted prompt. AI tools can accelerate your research by identifying patterns in job postings and suggesting tailored skill-building strategies.
A brief primer on proper prompting (alliteration for the win!): writing prompts is all about providing context. The job postings and the LinkedIn profiles you discovered in the data gathering you did, need to be included in the prompts. Whether you include them first or at the end is a style choice.
Good Prompt: "Collect 5 relevant job postings. Note the top 5 required skills in each, then highlight which ones I lack or need improvement on."
Better Prompt: "Collect 5 relevant job postings. Note the top 5 required skills in each, then highlight which ones I lack or need improvement on. Identify two action steps per skill to start closing those gaps."
Best Prompt: "Collect 5 relevant job postings for roles of interest. Identify the top 5 required skills in each and cross-reference with my current skill set. Additionally, find 5 professionals currently in this role at target companies and analyze their LinkedIn profiles. Identify common skills, certifications, and career paths they followed. Generate a structured learning plan with two action steps per missing skill, incorporating relevant courses, certifications, or hands-on projects."
You can also refine your research further:
“Analyze these job postings and rank the most frequently required skills in my field.”
“Based on my current skills and these job descriptions, suggest online courses or certifications to fill these gaps.”
Framing the prompts as good, better, or best is not about ranking one as better than the other, but about providing increasing levels of depth and detail. Each one returns more and more data. Again this is where you need to determine how much information you need to have an actionable plan.
By leveraging AI as a research tool, job seekers create their own Construct—a space where valuable insights can be quickly gathered and applied—a place where you can instantly pull in valuable data to accelerate your learning.
The Blueprint for Your Skills Upload
Once you've identified the gaps, it’s time to act. Here’s how you can level up efficiently:
Skill Development Tactics:
Microlearning: Short online courses or tutorials help build knowledge quickly.
Certifications: Some industries prioritize recognized certifications over years of experience.
Practical Application: If possible, find ways to apply new skills in volunteer projects or side gigs.
AI-Powered Practice: Use AI to simulate real-world applications—whether it's coding exercises, language learning, or even mock interviews.
Your goal isn’t just to learn—it’s to apply. Because in the job search, skills don’t count until you can prove them.
Okay, Now What?
The difference between being hired and overlooked often comes down to who has the right skills. The best job seekers don’t just look for openings—they actively upgrade themselves.
You don’t have to say, “I know Kung Fu.” But you can say, “I identified my gaps, built a plan, and leveled up.”
And in this simulation? That’s how you get that interview.