AI this, AI that. It feels like everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence right now, and many businesses have already started to implement new technologies into their existing processes.
There’s no denying that AI has its benefits – whether that’s improving business efficiencies, supporting effective research, or automating certain tasks to allow teams to focus on value-added activity. But it’s also worth acknowledging the negatives of AI, too.
Like all new technologies, AI poses certain challenges, from security risks to quality limitations – after all, AI can’t always compete with actual, living, breathing humans!
So, we’ve established that AI has its pros and cons, but how can it be utilised from a candidate’s perspective?
Candidates may worry that using AI could impact the credibility of their application – and they wouldn’t be wrong to have these concerns. Employers are unlikely to take kindly to an AI-generated CV or cover letter, or candidates using AI-generated content to embellish their knowledge and create a persona that doesn’t align with their capabilities.
But there are certainly ways candidates can ethically embrace AI and increase the ease and efficacy of their job search.
In this blog, we explore:
- How candidates can use AI ethically during their job search
- Four practical ways AI can support your job search
1) Use generative AI to optimise a CV or cover letter
If your CV needs a little bit of love, or you need to tailor a cover letter to a specific role, tools such as ChatGPT and CoPilot can help. They can support improvements to language, clarity and formatting, and ensure your CV or cover letter highlights key details that best align with your desired role.
While AI can help with functionality, one thing it can’t do is add personality – be sure to review and edit your documents before submitting, so your tone of voice comes through. Recruiters and employers will likely receive hundreds of applications, so an AI-generated CV or cover letter won’t stand out – add personal touches where appropriate. This could include tweaking your introduction or bio to feel more conversational and less formal. You should also include specific examples of work experience or projects – the more specific, the better, as this makes your CV or cover letter less generic.
2) Practise your interview skills using AI-powered interview simulators
We’ve all been there – you're in the middle of an interview for a role you really want, and the panel asks an unexpected question. Your mind goes blank, and you walk away without giving a true insight into your skills and experience.
There are lots of ways to prepare for a job interview, and now, many candidates are using AI to practise ahead of the big day. AI-powered interview simulators can help you rehearse technical and behavioural questions, and provide helpful feedback on the tone, clarity and structure of your responses. They’re a great way to build confidence – the more familiar you are with the set-up, the more prepared you’ll feel.
Remember, AI should only be used as a preparation tool. Avoid asking it to generate embellished answers – it’s important to be honest about your skills and experience so you’re hired for a role you can truly excel in. Faking it may secure you the job, but if you can’t meet expectations, you may find yourself job hunting again sooner than planned.
3) Research your preferred industry or job role using AI
Many of us now use AI tools like we would a search engine. Generative AI tools can often deliver more specific and tailored results, offering quick and insightful overviews.
During your job search, you could use AI to summarise company profiles or break down complex information. It can also provide insights into job market trends and salary benchmarks.
While AI is a fantastic research tool, it’s not recommended for scraping job applications – this could breach job board or company site terms of service.
If your job search has been tough, it might be tempting to use AI to mass-apply. However, this approach won’t result in personalised applications and could actually harm your chances of success.
4) Use AI to support learning and skill development
Many learning and development tools now incorporate AI to enhance the user experience. This allows them to offer bespoke training programmes, generate personalised quizzes and practice tasks, and tailor content to the learner’s needs.
In this case, AI should be used to deepen your knowledge and improve your understanding of the industry or role you’re pursuing. Use it to complement your real learning – not to fake test scores or qualifications.
Conclusion
When used responsibly, AI can be a powerful companion in your job search. From refining your CV and practising interviews, to researching roles and strengthening your skills, there are countless ethical ways to use AI to your advantage. But as with any tool, it’s how you use it that matters. Employers value authenticity, and your unique experiences and personality should always shine through. By striking the right balance between innovation and integrity, you can confidently navigate the job market and stand out for all the right reasons – not just as a candidate who uses AI, but one who uses it wisely.
