How Do I Get
My First AI Job?
The experience catch-22 is real. You need experience to get hired, but you need a job to get experience.
Here's how to break the cycle with a portfolio-first strategy.
AI Native Engineer Community Access
You're Ready to Work.
But Nobody Will Give You a Chance.
Every job wants 2+ years of AI experience. How do you get experience when nobody will hire you without it?
You've applied to 50+ roles and heard nothing back. Or worse, automated rejections within hours.
Watching people with fewer skills land AI jobs while your applications disappear into the void.
Your First AI Job Starts with the Right Portfolio.
The AI Career Accelerator
The catch-22 has a solution: build proof of skills that makes experience requirements irrelevant. When you have production-ready projects that solve real problems, hiring managers overlook the missing experience.
Build Strategic Projects
2-3 projects that prove job-readiness
Position Your Story
Frame your background as a strength
Apply With Precision
Targeted outreach that gets responses
Meet Your Mentor
When I started in tech, I was based in the Netherlands with no connections and only thousands of video game hours under my belt. Not exactly the ideal starting point.
My first tech job was software tester. One of the most junior roles you can start with. I was just happy someone took a chance on me.
I kept learning. Kept pivoting. But what actually accelerated my career wasn't more certifications or more code. It was learning to solve problems that matter and proving beyond a doubt that what I built solved real problems. That's the skill that stays future-proof, even with AI.
I've since worked remotely for international software companies throughout my career. Proof that the high-paid remote path is possible for anyone with the right skills and motivation. In the end, I went from a $500/month internship to 6 figures as a Senior AI Engineer at GitHub.
Now I teach over 22,000 engineers on YouTube. Becoming an AI-Native Engineer is a system I lived through and offer to you today.
Real Results
Vittor
AI Engineer
Landed his first AI Engineering role in 3 months
"The coaching played a huge part in my success. I focused on AI fundamentals, the certification path, and soft skills like professional writing. Having access to expert guidance gave me confidence during interviews and helped me feel I was on the right path.
I built my own platform (simple but functional) and deployed it on AWS. I used it in my portfolio and showcased it during interviews. The way complex topics were explained, especially the restaurant analogy for AI systems, really stuck with me. Focusing on doing the basics well was absolutely essential."
What You Will Get
Personalized Roadmap & Career Strategy
A custom plan tailored to your background, goals, and timeline. No generic advice.
Weekly 1:1 Coaching Calls
Direct access to Zen for guidance, project feedback, and answers to your questions.
Portfolio-Ready AI Projects
Build production-grade AI applications to showcase to employers. Work that gets you hired.
Interview Prep & Mock Interviews
Practice technical and behavioral interviews. Learn what hiring managers look for.
Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
Transform your online presence to attract recruiters. Stand out from other applicants.
Community Career Support
Join the AI Native Engineer community. Not seeing results yet? You stay and keep going. We're with you through the ups and downs.
Every Week Without a Strategy Is Another Week of Rejections
Every month you delay can cost you thousands in lost earning potential. While you're watching tutorials, others are landing $120K+ AI Engineering roles.
I can only work with a limited number of 1:1 clients at a time to ensure you get the personalized attention you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get your first AI job?
With a focused portfolio strategy: 2-4 months for developers with relevant backgrounds, 4-6 months for career changers with programming skills. The timeline depends less on your starting point and more on building the right projects and applying strategically. Random applications to hundreds of jobs rarely work. Targeted positioning and outreach does.
How do I get an AI job with no professional AI experience?
Build proof that replaces experience requirements. A deployed RAG system that solves a real problem demonstrates more than a resume claiming 'familiar with LLMs.' Create 2-3 production-ready projects, document your process, and apply to roles where your background is an asset. Many companies specifically want people who bring diverse perspectives to AI work.
How do I compete for AI jobs against more experienced candidates?
You compete by being different, not by being more experienced. Most entry-level applicants have identical portfolios: same tutorials, same Kaggle datasets, same generic projects. Build something unique that shows business thinking, not just technical ability. A well-positioned junior candidate often beats a poorly-positioned senior one.
Do I need prior AI experience?
Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.
How much time do I need to commit?
Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.
How is this different from online courses?
Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.
What if I don't land interviews in 90 days?
You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.
What's the investment for 1:1 coaching?
Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Ready to Land Your AI Role?
Stop watching others succeed. Start building your AI career today.
30-minute strategy call • Limited spots available