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If you’re looking for work, chances are you’ve seen a lot on social media about "AI resume hacks” and other ways to automate your job hunt. LinkedIn, TikTok, and Youtube are awash with advice on using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence to come out on top, and it’s easy to see why.
Hiring is down, layoffs are up, and long-term unemployment has been on the rise for over a year now. And here’s an irony: While AI has become a primary job search tool, the technology has also led to nearly 50,000 announced job cuts this year, according to data from career placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The majority of those came in October, when a total of 153,000 announced cuts made it the worst October for layoffs since 2003.
But is there a downside to using AI in your job hunt? While research shows that the vast majority of job seekers are relying on it in one form or another, experts say using the technology too much can backfire, especially when it’s a crutch for writing applications or doing interviews.
"In an incredibly competitive job market, where you need to stand out, AI can actually prevent that,” said Eliana Goldstein, an independent career coach. "You need your own voice to come through.”
What’s more, some job listings have started explicitly stating that using AI is grounds for disqualification. (Even Anthropic, the maker of Claude AI, had to create strict rules for using it in applications and interviews.) And the technology can make it easier to cross a line: 91% of U.S. hiring managers have either caught or suspected a candidate of using AI to misrepresent themselves, according to a recent survey by Greenhouse, a hiring software company.
So what? Everywhere you turn, it’s a brave new world because of AI. And as a society we’re only just beginning to understand the rewards and risks of using it. (Interestingly, while almost half of U.S. job seekers in the Greenhouse survey were drawn to the time savings of AI, many also considered it a way to level the playing field with employers using AI-driven screening systems.)
Whether you’re using AI to build cover letters, submit your applications, or outsmart screening algorithms, tread carefully. Here are a few guiding principles from the career coaches we spoke with.
When to use:
• In the early stages: AI is a valuable tool in the beginning of a search, and not just for amassing a list of job openings, according to Michael McCutcheon, a career coach and adjunct professor of applied psychology at New York University. It can also be helpful in brainstorming new career paths if you’re looking to pivot industries. Tell tools like Gemini or Claude your skills, what you do now, and what you want to do in the future.
• For the boring stuff: We’ve all re-read an email to a recruiter 14 times to make sure it’s typo-free or endlessly second-guessed how many bullets to include in our resume. AI can take some of that angst away — and help you use your time more efficiently, Goldstein said.
• To polish: While the first draft of a cover letter should be from you, you can still use AI to improve your writing, clean up grammar, etc., according to McCutcheon. AI tools can also compare your letter to the job description to make sure you’re showcasing your most fitting attributes. Ditto for resumes.
What to avoid:
• Sounding like a robot: Vanessa Stasco, managing director at recruiting firm Ikon Search, says it is often clear when she is on the receiving end of a ChatGPT application. And if the role requires independent thinking, obvious AI use can get you eliminated immediately, she said. In short, don’t use AI to replace what makes you you.
• Scripting interview answers: While AI tools can help you brainstorm potential questions, don’t use them to script your answers. For one, most employers want people who can think on their feet. Plus, things may not go according to plan, so you risk appearing disorganized or unengaged. McCutcheon advises having a friend or coach conduct a practice interview instead.
• Becoming overreliant: Turning to AI too much in your search runs the risk that you’ll come up short once you’re on the job. The more you outsource to AI, the fewer chances you’ll have to hone soft skills like being diplomatic or working well in a team. "It’s so important to balance AI and what it can offer without letting it override our critical-thinking skills,” said Goldstein. Otherwise, "we’ll be in big trouble when it comes to actually being successful on the job."
Related Reading
Everyday Economics: Is AI to Blame for the Layoffs – or a Late-Cycle Hangover? (AOL)
AI and Your Job: Ranking the Careers Most and Least Impacted (SoFi)
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