5 ways AI can easily improve your job search

In today’s challenging job market, it’s no secret that technology has been a game-changer for both employers and jobseekers. The latest development, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken that technology to the next level, including AI platforms such as Chat GPT, Bard, and Bing, and specialised AI tools like JobScan. With the right approach, AI has the potential to become your personal job search assistant.

Before discovering the five ways to use AI in your job search, however, it’s important that you understand how recruiters are utilising AI to find the right candidates.

How do recruiters use AI?

There are three main ways that recruiters use AI to find the right candidates for a job.

1. AI-powered algorithms automate the initial screening process by analysing CVs, application forms, and even cover letters to find the best candidates.
2. AI assists recruiters in identifying top talent based on specific criteria.
3. Recruiters use AI tools to eliminate unconscious bias by focusing solely on objective information and qualifications.

As a jobseeker, understanding the role that AI plays in the recruitment process means that you can tailor your job search approach and present yourself in the best possible light.

5 ways to use AI in your job search

Now that you know how recruiters use AI, let’s investigate how you can add AI to your job search toolkit. From matching your CV with suitable jobs and tailoring it to meet specific requirements to preparing for your interview, AI can provide valuable assistance. Here are the five ways to use AI in your job search.

1. Match your CV to suitable jobs

There are plenty of job boards that use AI to match CVs to vacancies, but you can also use an AI platform like Bing. Simply copy and paste the text of your CV into the chat interface and ask for assistance with finding suitable jobs. You can then narrow down the search parameters by asking for jobs in a certain location, for instance. Alternatively, you can ask the AI to search for job vacancies that match your chosen criteria without sharing your CV.

There are also dedicated AI tools to carry out this task such as JobScan.

2. Tailor your CV to match job requirements

While it’s recommended that you alter your CV for each job application, it isn’t always obvious exactly how to do that. AI can examine your CV and the job description/advert and then tailor your CV to improve its relevance. It can identify the areas where your knowledge, skills, and qualifications are a good match for the job requirements and rewrite your CV to place more focus on those factors.

3. Write your cover letter

Similarly, AI can pull information from the job description and your CV to write a suitable cover letter. If you’re uncomfortable with AI writing your cover letter, you could simply use the suggested wording as a basis for writing your own letter. Rewriting the AI-created letter provides an opportunity to showcase your personality while including the keywords and phrases identified by AI in the job requirements. This combination creates a cover letter that will attract the attention of hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) alike.

4. Research the employer

Researching the employer before you apply for a job is always a good idea. Here’s why:

• Learning about the company culture identifies whether this is the right employer for you.
• It demonstrates your interest in the job and identifies you as a self-motivated individual.
• It provides information on the type of question to ask, should you be interviewed for the job.

While you can research the employer yourself, AI can often source additional information. You can also ask it to answer specific questions about the employer such as what remote working opportunities are available with the company.

5. Prepare for your interview

Mock interview practice is a powerful way for jobseekers to hone their interview skills and prepare for the real thing. Several AI-powered tools and platforms offer this service, including InterviewWarmup and My Interview Practice. Many also provide feedback on your interview skills.

 
Use a general AI platform such as Chat GPT to source commonly asked interview questions and suggest the best way to answer them.

The downside of using AI in your job search

While AI can be helpful when you’re looking for a job, there are also disadvantages.

• Using AI to write letters, answer questions, and assist with any other part of your job search can lead you to rely on AI too heavily. The best approach is to use AI as an assistant but think for yourself.
• Any AI platform is only as clever as its data set allows. For instance, the free version of Chat GPT doesn’t have access to current online data. It is constantly around two years behind.
• If an AI platform can’t find an answer, it may make something up. This is called a hallucination. It might be a link to a website or an actual paragraph of information. To use AI effectively, you should always fact check whatever information AI provides.

The best way to successfully use AI

The key to using AI successfully is to ask the right question. For instance, asking Bing to find you a job as a software developer will result in a wide range of vacancies, many of which may not be suitable for your skills, location, or salary needs. However, if you ask it the same question but set a number of conditions such as within 5 miles of your home address and paying over £40,000, the AI platform is more likely to identify the right job for you.

Before you ask AI anything, spend some time considering the parameters of your request.

Wrapping it up

When you’re looking for a job, AI can be an incredibly useful tool, providing the opportunity to quickly source information, produce relevant cover letters and CVs, and even prepare for job interviews. However, AI can only assist your job search. It must be handled with a level of preparation, fact-checking, and common sense. After all, the employer wants to hire you, not your AI assistant.