The artificial intelligence job market is often portrayed as a realm dominated by elite degrees and high-profile resumes. But real-world skills are far more important than qualifications, according to Jure Leskovec, a Stanford University computer science professor and co-founder of AI startup Kumo. in a recent interview business insider, Leskovec shared some insight into what actually gets candidates hired in the AI field.“If you want to work in AI, you need to show that you can actually do the job,” he says. His advice is simple and straightforward. Build meaningful projects, work with public datasets, post your work online, and develop practical demonstrations.
Why these tips are important for students
Landing a role in AI is no longer just about where you studied or what degree you earned. The industry is changing rapidly, and recruiters are increasingly valuing proven skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Here are five actionable ways students can stand out in this competitive field.Build and showcase a real projectLeskovec emphasizes that successful candidates will demonstrate their abilities through concrete work. For example, hackathons are a fertile ground for students to demonstrate spontaneity and teamwork within tight timelines. “It’s a great way to show initiative and teamwork in a short amount of time. Even if you fail, you’re showing curiosity and positivity,” he said. Business Insider.Kumo’s latest hires stand out not because they have prestigious degrees, but because they’ve built generative AI tools that can analyze customer purchase data. The point is clear. Problem-solving skills are often more important than the reputation of the institution listed on a candidate’s resume.Prioritize curiosity over qualificationsFor Leskovec, adaptability is more important than a static skill set. “AI is evolving at a pace that surprises even those of us who work in the field every day,” he said in an interview.The best candidates are those who have taught themselves new frameworks like PyTorch and JAX, explored large-scale language modeling tools, and are always open to new territory. Top universities may secure you an interview, but ultimately it’s your curiosity, positivity, and flexibility that will determine the hiring decision.“There is no playbook for AI. We are writing it now,” he said. “I always value when my students bring me solutions that I haven’t tried before, even if they’re wrong.”Focus on thinking, not just textbook answersKumo evaluates applicants through multiple interviews that emphasize reasoning and problem-solving over memorized knowledge. Candidates will be evaluated on their thought process as well as their final answers.“Thinking outside the box may sound simple, but it’s more important now than ever,” Leskovec said. Business Insider. He encourages aspiring professionals to question assumptions, try unfamiliar methods, and consider multiple solutions to a challenge. He explained that these habits separate innovators from followers.Demonstrate collaboration and communication skillsIn the modern AI workplace, technical skills alone are not enough. Leskovec is looking for people who can communicate clearly, work effectively within a team, and consider the ethical and social implications of their work.“Today’s ideas can become tomorrow’s standards, but they have to be built with people in mind,” he explained. Awareness of bias, empathy and teamwork are essential elements of a candidate’s profile and complement technical expertise.Stay connected to emerging AI trendsBeyond immediate coding skills, Leskovec values continuous learning and engagement with the evolving AI environment. Students and professionals who explore new methods, stay up-to-date on research, and experiment with real-world applications demonstrate readiness for real-world AI challenges.
An empirical perspective
Jure Leskovec is a Slovenian-American computer scientist known for his pioneering work in large-scale network analysis and graph machine learning. At Stanford University, he teaches one of the university’s most popular machine learning courses and co-founded several companies, including Kumo, which applies graph-based AI to enterprise data solutions. His insights highlight a central tenet for aspiring AI professionals: Demonstrating competency, curiosity, and collaboration can outweigh even the most prestigious qualifications.For students looking to enter the AI field, the message is consistent and practical: work on real projects, be curious, and focus on both human and technical skills. According to Leskovec, success comes to those who think, experiment, and persevere in an environment that evolves faster than any textbook can keep up with.
