4 ways AI can optimize your job search
From building a compelling resume to drafting an effective email, there are several ways you can use tools like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini to help streamline your job and internship search. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a great starting point and serve as a guide in pivotal areas of the search process. However, AI also has clear limitations so it’s crucial to ensure your application materials and interviews reflect your personal touch and unique personality.
Here are specific ways to leverage AI in your job search and tips for using it effectively.
Craft your resume
It takes time and effort to tailor your resume to each position. A strong resume has brief, clear and compelling bullet points that showcase how your experience relates to the position you’re applying for. AI can help you craft effective bullet points, which you should then refine to meet these goals.
Tips
- Prompt: Type specific responsibilities from your past jobs or internships and ask the tool to generate resume achievements with metrics based on these responsibilities.
- You can insert customized resume bullet points and prompt ChatGPT to provide alternatives.
- Treat the tool as a conversation partner. If the content it drafts doesn’t go in the direction you want, redirect the tool and clearly explain how you want it to pivot.
Considerations and limitations
- Instead of simply copying and pasting the first response from AI, take the time to continue refining your prompts. Ask ChatGPT to adjust tone, suggest different wording or focus on specific experiences. This way, you’ll get a more personalized and high-quality result.
- AI tools make recommendations based on industry trends and norms, which could be different for the company or position you’re pursuing. Look for irregularities, details that don’t align with your experience and repetitive information.
- AI can only generate responses based on the information you provide. Make sure your prompts are as detailed as possible.
- Be careful not to input highly sensitive or personal information into tools like ChatGPT.
Career Services tools
- Career Services offers free access to Quinncia, an online resume and mock interview review tool that provides personalized feedback.
- Review resume best practices and consider adjusting your formatting to look like Career Services’ general resume or technical resume templates.
Customize your cover letter
While you can’t rely on generative AI to do all the work, tools like ChatGPT can speed up the writing process. Anyone can plug cover letter prompts into ChatGPT based on a job description and get the same responses as you can. You must edit and personalize your letters to create a genuine and professional end product.
Tips
For this, you will need the job or internship description, your polished and well-organized resume and cover letter framework.
- Prompt: Type into ChatGPT, all in one block:
- Write a cover letter for this job description (paste the job description).
- That uses these experiences (paste resume content).
- Using this cover letter framework (paste the cover letter).
- Start with your written cover letter and prompt ChatGPT to provide alternative ways to write sentences or sections within.
- You can run multiple iterations to see which versions you prefer.
Considerations and limitations
- Edit the letter by copying and pasting the information into a document editor, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. AI tools can also make spelling mistakes and other typos. Be sure to proofread the letter as well and make any needed changes.
- Add relevant details, including a header, a signature and the company’s contact information.
- Tailor the letter to include information demonstrating you understand the company and position.
Career Services tools
- Check out cover letter writing tips from Career Services.
- Schedule time with a Career Services advisor to review your professional documents.
Elevate your communication
During the job search process, you will likely need to communicate with potential employers using email. Identifying what to write and what not to include can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to writing professional emails. ChatGPT can be helpful when you’re under pressure, have writer’s block or want to ensure you communicate professionally.
Tips
- Prompt: Paste in the original message, remove personal details and ask ChatGPT for a response. You can also ask ChatGPT how to respond to the subject of the email. For example, enter a prompt about how to respond to an email asking for interview preferences.
- AI can also help you draft polished LinkedIn messages to send to new connections or potential mentors. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to help you craft a message introducing yourself to a professional contact that incorporates your shared interests.
- Skim the response options and use applicable elements from the recommended wording for your desired response.
Considerations and limitations
- Direct communication by email requires a personalized response. Ensure the tone of the response matches the intent of the email.
- Don’t rely on the generated content without proofreading. Your authentic writing style will only be apparent if you integrate AI-generated responses into your own content rather than using AI content as a replacement.
- Keep in mind that if you receive and accept the job offer, the people you met in the interview process could become your colleagues. It’s important not to depend too much on AI to develop skills that you should be building on your own and will be expected to maintain.
Career Services tools
- Schedule time with a Career Services advisor to chat through and better understand the job search process, including how to answer an email or tips to negotiate a starting salary.
Prepare for interviews
Answering interview questions can be challenging, especially for your first few interviews. You may not know what interview questions to expect or how to answer them best. ChatGPT and Quinncia’s mock interview tool can help you practice and prepare for interviews before they are scheduled, so you feel more confident.
Tips
- Prompt: Give ChatGPT a job or internship description and ask for sample interview questions for that position.
- Consider whether you feel confident in your own responses to the potential questions. If not, ask ChatGPT for sample answers. Use your experience to prompt ChatGPT for a more relevant response to a question.
Considerations and limitations
- Remember that humans, not AI, will interview you. How you interact with AI will look different than how you interact with a human. Take what ChatGPT offers, critically analyze it and make it your own.
- ChatGPT and similar tools are helpful but cannot replace your creative and thoughtful interview responses.
- Remember that ChatGPT is open to everyone. Others may get that same generic response. Prompt the system with specific questions or information for more unique outputs.
Career Services tools
- Career Services provides free access to Quinncia’s mock interview tool to help you practice interviewing.
- You can also schedule a time to work with a career advisor to practice and prepare for interviews or stop by daily office hours.
Take your search to the next level
It’s important to remember that AI tools like ChatGPT may inadvertently incorporate biases into responses. Take steps to ensure that your application materials authentically represent your values and experiences. By highlighting your distinct strengths, you can showcase your individuality and potential, going beyond AI recommendations
We are in an experimental phase of AI adoption with massive room for advancement, and as technology rapidly changes, it is important to be equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. Career Services is here to help you learn how to use the tool, answer questions and provide guidance. Check out our AI Resource Guide that consolidates the latest AI resources, knowledge and tools to enhance your job search and prepare you for the changing world of work.