Recent research* shows that 17% of students are already using generative AI tools to assist with writing documents such as CVs and cover letters for applications. By the time you read this, that figure will no doubt be higher.
It’s hard to avoid the news and frenzy around tools such as ChatGPT that can make light work of even complex tasks. Where we have our limitations in terms of knowledge and resources, AI can instantly draw on comprehensive expertise from millions of data points to help us reduce time spent on admin-intensive work.
So, whether you feel overwhelmed with multiple applications or just find it difficult to produce the right words, it’s understandable that taking a shortcut can be appealing.
However, assist should be the key word here.
We know that employers use AI to aid the design and delivery of many parts of the selection process such as initial applicant screening and AI-powered video interviews. Algorithms behind the scenes improve efficiencies by doing much of the work for recruiters.
They are not naïve enough to think you won’t use these same tools to help you too. But there is a fine line between using AI to get you started and veering into cheating territory by relying on it to do all the work for you.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Time-saving – ask a question or provide good quality prompts and AI will draw on a vast bank of information to produce a comprehensive, ‘natural’ response. This can take the pain out of getting a first draft down on paper.
- Reliable – if you feed in the right information reflecting key skills required for a job, you could get a pretty good chunk of well-written text that reflects some common skills employers are looking for.
- Effective – because the technology is so good, the content that’s created for you may get you through the first rounds of selection. You might get past applicant tracking systems and even first-round human shortlisting, so that you’ve got one foot in the door before progressing to interview.
- Skill-enhancing – there is a strong argument for getting on board with AI in general. We’ve seen a 70% increase in demand for AI talent since 2018. So, getting to grips with these tools and learning how to use them appropriately will boost your future employability.
Cons
- Generic – the AI output generated for you may broadly suit any number of roles but inevitably this means that your application won’t be specific enough to impress employers when they quiz you properly. Only tailored content will demonstrate your deep research into the company and role. This is what helps you stand out from the crowd.
- Impersonal – any insights into your character, aspirations and personal motivations may be lost. Company culture and values are sometimes outlined explicitly in job adverts, but at other times you’ll glean this by reading between the lines and doing wider research. It’s important to highlight how your values and interests align.
- Poorly evidenced – whilst AI tools can scan your CV for some relevant experiences, it’s not going to recognise everything you’ve done or all your transferable skills that signal your past performance and future potential. The level of detail needed to convince employers by describing your approach in different scenarios may be missing.
Top tips for using AI in your applications responsibly:
- Use AI tools sparingly, to assist you if you need help getting started.
- Use follow-up prompts to feed in a personalised context to your AI requests.
- Develop the content of your applications outside of AI tools to produce your own work.
- Always craft tailored, personal applications that evidence your skills, interests, and motivations.
In summary
Embrace the benefits of advanced AI tools to kickstart, structure and polish your applications but be wary.
AI assisted candidate applications can lead to a lack of depth and misalignment with the skills required for the job if not used carefully or appropriately. You would be lucky if this went undetected by employers, and it could mean that you end up with a job that’s not the best fit for you.
You can’t beat brushing up on your skills and readiness for the selection process. Use our tools and resources to give you the edge:
- Use the STAR technique to describe situations, tasks, actions, and the results that prove your capabilities.
- Use practice tools such as Interview360 to increase your confidence with automated video interviews.
- Crack psychometric tests using free online practice sites.
- Visit our advice and resources pages on all things relating to CV, applications, and interviews.
Want to know more about AI?
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- There’s an AI for that – check out thousands of task-based AI tools.