For job seekers, the process of job hunting is an intricate dance that requires time, patience, and a keen eye for opportunity. However, the landscape is changing and central to this is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a phenomenon that promises to revolutionise the very process of landing your dream job.

More precisely, Generative AI (GenAI), now more accessible to users over the last couple of years, lets people apply to more jobs in the same timeframe.

AI surge in job searches

Gone are the days of scouring job boards for hours and customising countless application forms and resumes. Already, 72% of job applicants are using Generative AI in job applications, though mainly for text composition according to research from Arctic Shores.

The question is no longer should job seekers use AI, but how can you integrate these technologies effectively to augment your chances of landing your dream job.

your complete kit for using AI to power your job search

AI in action: crafting the perfect resume and cover letter

AI-driven resume and cover letter builders have definitely raised the bar. These tools analyse descriptions from job advertisements to create highly tailored resumes and cover letters that could give job seekers a considerable competitive advantage, and help them pass the initial AI-powered application screening process unscathed.

There are a number of resume-building platforms like Rezi and ResumA.I that take the grunt work out of job applications. Job seekers can simply upload their resume draft and share detailed descriptions from the advertisement on the platform to build customised resumes that match the needs of different employers in just a few minutes. However, these platforms tend to require subscriptions or payments if you are looking to generate more resumes to apply to different companies.

For those who are not in an urgent need to secure a new job, free options like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google's Gemini can help improve your CV writing too. Users can leverage GenAI to make their bullet points more succinct or check for grammar errors. However, there are limitations to using these free platforms as job seekers will still need to copy, edit, design and format their resumes on their own afterwards.

job interview prep reimagined

Another area where AI can be a game-changer is in interview preparation. Free GenAI tools like ChatGPT can generate 100 interview questions that you should prepare for and how to answer them. And then there are tools powered by AI such as Google's Interview WarmUp which can simulate a real interview experience, offering feedback on verbal cues, equipping candidates to perform their best when it matters most in a non-judgmental setting.

Free AI job interview tools tend to be quite limited in their utility, typically offering only about 5 basic and generic screening questions such as "Tell me more about yourself" and "How do you handle a mistake at work?".

For middle and senior-level talent, mastering responses to such straightforward screening prompts may not be as important as they can easily draw the anecdotes from their career experiences. Instead they should focus more on preparing for behavioural and situational questions that assess their technical knowledge and leadership competencies. These open-ended questions often require more thoughtful responses that go beyond what current AI tools can provide. Hiring managers tend to use these questions to prompt a job seeker to better assess a candidate's qualifications for higher-level roles.

Other subscription-based AI-powered platforms like Wizco’s Ava and Rightjoin offer a more customised interview experience tailored to your career. Some of these paid tools even use AI to analyse your body language and overall impression conveyed during the mock video interview process.

For an added premium, some platforms will offer the chance for you to speak to a human expert, who will comprehensively evaluate and provide feedback on your interview performance registered on their platforms.

When selecting an interview platform to prepare for a job interview, look for potential options that are designed for your industry. The ideal tool for a software developer will likely differ from those that should be used for project managers or digital marketers. Your research in finding the best platform to use to prepare for a job interview in your industry allows you to practise questions and scenarios that are more likely to be asked by your hiring manager.

the ethical use of AI in job seeking

While AI can be a powerful ally, it’s essential to understand its limitations and use it with responsibility. AI is not a substitute for making genuine human connections, and job seekers must use these tools ethically, with the end goal being to augment rather than replace traditional methods and human interaction.

always check for accuracy and copy edit the outcomes

Content generated by AI tools should be viewed as a means to an end, and not a final product. Always check for accuracy to ensure that you are not embellishing your resume with skills and experience that you are not equipped with yet.

You should also look out for misuse or even the lack of industry jargon. Right now, generative AI tools are not designed to understand the nuances and usage of specific industry jargon or technical terms that you would commonly use or are expected by the employer to know.

Furthermore, the AI tools that you use may not consider the context of your local cultural interactions. While some words may be commonly used in some markets, they could be offensive to use in other local cultures.

Whether you are using GenAI for text composition or to build a resume from scratch, always spend some time to check the accuracy of the information and make sure that they reflect your actual skills, experience and what you look for in a company.

interpersonal skills cannot be displayed through generative AI

Even though AI developments have come a long way, it cannot teach you empathy, how to work effectively in teams or how to build a connection with your interviewer. More often than not, it is the human touch that ultimately seals the deal in most hiring decisions.

Apart from using AI tools to prepare your CV and showcase your skills, don't forget to also practise your interview skills with friends and family. They know the most about you and can offer suggestions on how you should communicate better to build rapport and trust with your interviewer.

It's about just being yourself to make sure you integrate well with the employer's culture.

do not rely on AI to guide your salary negotiations

Salaries can vary a lot across industries, even for similar roles. This is because factors like job scope, team size, growth outlook and company size all come into play when calculating pay.

As AI tools usually rely on information retrieved from public domains and other users who have consented to sharing their conversations to improve the platform, it is unlikely that you will receive reliable and up-to-date information about your salary from the platform.

The salary negotiation process requires finesse and human judgement to ensure a fair deal for both parties. Instead of solely depending on AI or online sources to determine your negotiation strategy, consider seeking advice from your mentors or friends within your industry.

You can also connect with a specialised recruiter who can provide valuable insights into determining an appropriate salary range that best aligns with your skills and experience level.

discover a fresh start in job hunting

The integration of AI into the job search process marks a new dawn for job seekers. From honing job applications to refining interview techniques, AI tools offer immense potential. Learning to work well with these technologies will be key for successful job seekers in the 21st century. However, it is important to bear in mind that while AI can open doors, it is the person that walks through them that will make the difference.

If you are looking for a new job, connect with our specialised recruitment consultants! We work with employers to help find the right talent, and that person could be you. You can start the process either by creating or updating your Randstad account or applying to jobs on our website.

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