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By Seyi Babalola
As competition for entry-level and early-career roles intensifies, the founder of PitchMe.AI, Okpechi Chibuikem Michael, has called for the development and adoption of smarter artificial intelligence tools to better prepare young professionals for the realities of today’s job market.
Speaking on the growing disconnect between academic training and workplace expectations, Michael said many graduates struggle not because of a lack of knowledge, but due to limited exposure to interview processes, recruiter expectations, and real-world assessment standards. According to him, this gap has become more visible as employers increasingly rely on technology-driven hiring systems.
“The job market has changed faster than most training systems,” Michael said. “Recruitment today involves AI screening, structured interviews, and performance-based evaluations. Many young people are encountering these systems for the first time when it actually matters.”
PitchMe.AI, a career technology platform founded by Michael, focuses on using artificial intelligence to simulate interview scenarios, assess responses, and provide structured feedback to users. The platform is designed to help students and early-career professionals improve how they communicate their skills, experience, and problem-solving abilities during recruitment processes.
Michael explained that while AI has already transformed hiring from the employer’s side through applicant tracking systems and automated screening, fewer tools have been built to support candidates navigating the same systems. He argued that this imbalance contributes to repeated rejection cycles, particularly among first-time job seekers.
Industry observers note that youth unemployment and underemployment remain persistent challenges across many developing economies, despite rising levels of formal education. Employers, on the other hand, continue to report difficulty finding candidates who are “job-ready,” highlighting a structural mismatch between education outcomes and labour market needs.
Michael believes technology can play a practical role in narrowing this divide if applied responsibly. “AI should not only filter candidates out; it should also help them get better,” he said. “When used correctly, it can offer personalized feedback at scale, something that is difficult to achieve through traditional career coaching alone.”
Beyond individual users, PitchMe.AI is exploring collaborations with universities and training institutions to integrate interview readiness and employability tools into existing programmes. Michael said such partnerships could help students begin preparing for recruitment earlier, rather than waiting until final year or after graduation.
He added that the broader conversation around artificial intelligence and jobs should move beyond fears of automation toward how technology can support workforce development. “The focus should not only be on what jobs AI will replace, but on how AI can help people qualify for the jobs that still exist and those that are emerging,” he said.
As hiring processes continue to evolve, Michael’s call underscores a growing view within the tech ecosystem: that innovation in recruitment must address both sides of the labour market, ensuring efficiency for employers while equipping candidates with the tools needed to compete effectively.
