What Not To Do With AI In Your Job Search

As seen on Forbes.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerhouse and it’s here to stay in our everyday lives. According to the State of AI at Work report by Asana, employees say 29% of their work tasks can be done by AI instead.

While AI has been taking over industries in recent years, like recruitment and job search, keep in mind that it is not perfect. AI systems rely heavily on datasets it has been trained with and will produce and amplify biases from these data that will lead to discriminatory outcomes. 

So, if you’re using AI for your job search, beware of its downfalls, as some people using it may be getting burned along the way. Here are four things that you should not do when you’re working with AI in your job search.

Do Not Copy And Paste From ChatGPT

ChatGPT has become an AI-powered virtual assistant for many with its ability to make tasks easier like conveying messages in a more professional tone when sending out job applications. However, lifting paragraphs directly from AI-generated content for your resume and/or interviews is a big no, as most people know whether something is written by a robot or not. Tools and software like Undetectable.ai, Copyleaks, and GLTR are also on the rise, detecting just how much of the content you’ve submitted was copied and pasted from ChatGPT.

39% of hiring professionals say job applicants who are using AI to write their resume or cover letter are a “definite deal-breaker,” the iCIMS Class of 2023 report showed. Relying solely on AI responses without verifying the information could also lead to errors in your application, which may harm your chances of being considered for the role.

Do Not Outsource AI Completely

It’s now easier to ask software to do the heavy lifting for you when searching and applying for jobs, but it’s not as effective as you think it may be. These AI search automation tools may be able to comb through millions of job listings to uncover opportunities for you and apply on your behalf, however, you’re losing the opportunity to personalize your application based on the specific role and company.

This may be a hot take but I personally advise against this practice of letting AI apply for you. In the grand scheme of things with your job search, being specific and strategic would give you better chances of landing the role than sending over a large number of generic applications. Spam applications can also harm your reputation and limit your chances with employers who value thoughtful and intentional applications. 

After all, a simple LinkedIn connection request or interaction may even get you further in the application process than spamming hundreds of online applications. 

Do Not Overemphasize AI Skills

We know that AI is a hot skill, but overemphasizing that your entire career is about AI might cause some red flags, as it is still a fairly new and developing technology. If you focus too heavily on AI skills, you may overlook other important skills and experiences that are relevant to the job that you’re applying for. And as the tech is still progressing, your actual proficiency may not align with what you claim and eventually make you look untrustworthy.

Although you could incorporate some elements of AI and showcase how it helps you do your job, don’t go all in and say that all you do is AI. There’s more to your role than just leveraging technology. Hiring managers may be looking for other important skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability so lean on those skills as well.

But Also… Do Not Completely Ignore AI

With all that said, AI is proving to be increasingly valuable in many industries. Its efficiency in organizing tasks can help you be more productive and free up time for more focused work. Let AI be a tool to help you, not a total replacement for anything.

It may be tempting to rely on AI to do all the work for you, especially on the job hunt, but authenticity, personalization, and human touch remain irreplaceable elements in lasting impressions on job applications. Try to strike a balance in using AI as an aid rather than a substitute, so that your unique skills and experiences may shine through in the competitive job market we face today. Rooting for you!