AI Won’t Replace You. But Someone Using It Might
In this week’s Landed Not Handed, Aaron Sachs of WYRE Technology shares how to navigate your career, the underrated power of asking for help, and why being the “human in the loop” matters in the age of AI.
What are some key takeaways from your career?
Be open. Be open to shifts and changes. Most of the best opportunities I’ve had weren’t what I was looking for. I wasn’t planning to get into tech…yet here I am! Getting hired at WYRE was never on my radar.
When it comes to job searching, the stereotypical “let’s fire off a thousand resumes on LinkedIn” is one of the most soul-draining and least effective things you can do. You’ll likely face hundreds of rejections. It’s tough and it rarely works. Instead, focus on knowing people. Build genuine connections.
Finally, have some kind of presence. Stay at least semi-active on LinkedIn. If you’re in a technical or creative role, build a portfolio on GitHub, a personal website, or anywhere employers and your community can see your work. Having that presence goes a long way.
How would you describe your ideal team player?
Humble but confident. I’ve worked with brilliant people who weren’t humble, and it made getting things done miserable. At the end of the day, no matter how much code you know, you’re still working with people. People like working with nice people.
I also really value generalists, people who know their craft but also understand how it fits into the bigger picture. At WYRE, for example, I need engineers who not only code well but also understand how their work impacts marketing, sales, and customer support. The best teammates are humble, confident generalists who can collaborate across the business and keep the bigger picture in mind.
What are some big challenges you’ve faced, and how have you overcome them?
Not understanding the business side. As an engineer, I’ve been opinionated about how things should be done. But those opinions don’t matter unless I can translate them into business impact. It’s not “we should do this because Aaron says so.” It’s “we should do this because it mitigates risk, saves time, or drives revenue.”
Asking for help. Early in my career, I wanted to prove I could solve everything on my own. But the truth is, asking for help is a hugely underrated skill. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, engineering, or leadership, companies aren’t built on individuals. Being humble enough to ask for help makes you and your team better.
What advice would you give someone looking to level up in their career?
Learn to use AI.
Think of AI as a “second brain.” A co-intelligence that can help you in your career. You don’t need to understand the deep technical details, but you do need to learn how to leverage it effectively.
For example, if you’re struggling to tailor your resume, AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude can compare your resume against a job description and highlight what matters most to the hiring manager. They can even suggest rewrites.
Beyond resumes, AI can help you track job opportunities, build a personal knowledge base, and identify skills to learn. A year ago, I might have said, “start using AI.” Now the advice is: “Learn to use it well.”
What’s one skill that will be essential for the workforce moving forward?
Be the human in the loop.
AI is powerful, but if you rely on it blindly, you’ll fall short. Don’t just copy-paste whatever it gives you. Review it, refine it, and add your own judgment.
Whether it’s a resume, an email, or a project plan, AI can give you a strong draft, but it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s accurate, authentic, and high quality. That’s the difference between average output and work that stands out.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Find a mentor.
If you’re switching careers or trying to level up, a mentor is invaluable. Not someone who just talks at you, but someone you can work through hard things with:
“I’ve applied to five jobs and haven’t heard back. What am I missing?”
“I’m pitching web design projects but not landing them. What should I adjust?”
A great mentor helps you see blind spots and navigate challenges. The right long-term mentor relationship can change the trajectory of your entire career.
Thanks for sharing, Aaron!
If you’re interested in learning more about Aaron or WYRE, check out his LinkedIn here and their website here.