Artificial intelligence has boomed in the past year, and some people view it as a kind of magic wand that can perform miracles. In this issue of my newsletter, we will explore how you can harness this power in your job search. I have tested about a dozen various AI tools, from generic large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to specialized interviewing tools like TalkBerry and InterviewGPT.
What AI Can’t Do
As mentioned earlier, some people perceive AI as magic. However, despite this perception, currently available AI tools still have severe limitations. Let’s begin by exploring what AI cannot do for you. Here are my findings:
Resume And Cover Letter Writing
Using AI for creating content for job applications, such as drafting a cover letter or crafting your CV, comes with a significant drawback: the tool lacks knowledge about you. Its capabilities are confined to the information you provide and any publicly available data it can access. Consequently, it cannot generate an authentically personalized cover letter or resume for you out of the blue. At best, it offers a generic template, but you might find better results using a professionally designed template (you will receive one for free when you get a copy of my book, Get Your Dream Job).
Exercise caution when employing AI for resume and cover letter optimization, too. The tool may incorporate skills or experiences you don’t possess to enhance your resume, which is counterproductive. Moreover, it has the potential to depersonalize the content, making it appear as though it was crafted by AI. Recruiters are adept at recognizing the output of typical language models, and if they suspect your documents were generated by AI, it could work against you and lead to elimination.
Generating Interview Answers
In a job interview, success hinges on providing answers that genuinely reflect your experience, knowledge, and personality. Similar to the previous paragraph, the same issue applies here. While AI tools can craft articulate responses to common interview questions like ‘Tell me why you want to join our company,’ they can’t convey why YOU, specifically, want to join the company. This also holds true for behavioral questions; you must generate your own examples rather than relying on hypothetical scenarios generated by AI. (By the way, I don’t recommend memorizing interview responses at all. You can find comprehensive guidance on successfully answering any interview question in my book.)
Mock Interview Practice
Several AI platforms offer mock interview simulations, enabling you to practice responding to common questions and receive feedback on your delivery.
However, it’s essential to note that these tools focus exclusively on verbal communication in written form. While some platforms have speech recognition and video recording capabilities, your answers are typically converted to written text and analyzed by a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT in the backend. Consequently, answers that garner positive feedback from these tools are often very elaborate, well-structured, grammatically flawless, and showcase an extensive vocabulary range—similar to reading responses from an interview preparation book. However, this style of response is far from how people normally speak. If you deliver such a polished answer in a real interview, you would be immediately suspected of pretending. Moreover, various studies in the field of human communication suggest that a significant portion of human communication is delivered nonverbally which these tools almost completely ignore.
From a content perspective, AI tools struggle to connect the dots and often settle for clichéd responses. In one mock interview, where I pretended to be a software engineer applying for a position in a fictitious global company proud of its green initiatives, the tool persistently questioned me about specific new green initiatives I’d propose to the CEO to align with the company culture. After several desperate attempts (like, why would a software engineer be expected to design green initiatives??), I decided to let my imagination run wild and devised an elaborate eight-tier recycling program that was entirely nonsensical but, finally, it satisfied the tool.
What AI Can Do
While AI has its limitations, there are also several areas where its usage is definitely beneficial and will save you significant time and effort:
Writing Assistance, Proofreading, and Editing
LLMs can be effectively used to generate captivating expressions, improve word choice, and enhance the text flow in your cover letter and resume. AI proofreading tools are valuable for catching typos and grammatical errors, ensuring your documents are polished and maintain a professional appearance. ChatGPT appears to excel in this area compared to Google Gemini, but you may try both and compare the results.
Testing Your Resume Effectiveness
Employers often use AI to screen candidates. A smart approach on your end is to use tools like ChatGPT or specialized ones like JobScan to analyze your resume. Check which keywords these tools extract and whether they align with those in the job description. This enhances the likelihood that your application will successfully pass through automatic screening.
Salary Negotiation
AI tools, such as Google Gemini, can analyze salary data based on your location, skills, and experience, providing you with valuable information for your salary negotiations. While Google Gemini is generally accurate, it’s advisable to cross-verify the information with other publicly available databases, your recruitment agency, or a headhunter.
What AI Can Do—But You Probably Don’t Need It To
There are also areas where you can deploy AI, but it may be a bit of an overkill:
Analyzing Job Descriptions
You can leverage AI tools to analyze job descriptions and identify relevant keywords and skills. Integrating these into your resume and cover letter should enhance their visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and leave a positive impression on hiring managers. However, job descriptions are often transparent, with keywords prominently listed in bullet points, making them easily identifiable without the aid of AI.
Company Research
AI tools can assist in gathering information about potential employers, including their background, culture, and value proposition. This aids in tailoring your application and preparing for the interview. However, most established companies provide a comprehensive ‘About Us’ section on their webpage, where you can find most of the relevant information anyway. Moreover, AI-generated research reports may occasionally provide inaccurate or outdated information. When the AI model can’t find specific details, it may attempt to be ‘creative’ and fill the gaps with fabricated information. Therefore, it always requires additional verification.
Interview Questions Generation
LLMs can assist in generating potential interview questions for specific roles. However, it’s worth noting that many interview questions are well-known, and you can find a comprehensive collection in my book, along with strategies on how to approach them and model answers.
Conclusion
It’s still unclear where AI will take us, and we’ll certainly see many changes as these tools continue to develop. Don’t be afraid to play around and see if there are new ways they can help you during the job search.
Of course, even with the help of machines, it’s important not to lose the personal touch in the job search process. At the end of the day, the hiring manager is not looking for a computer program; they want to hire you, so you should make sure you always come across as an authentic, trustworthy individual that others would like to collaborate with.
Good luck!
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