The Perils of Relying on AI for Job Hunting (and when to actually use it)

I get it.

You’re not a native English speaker.

You can handle conversations, but you know you don’t sound natural.

But you want that job! You NEED it.

“I know! 💡 I will use AI to write for me.”

This is certainly possible. And I can see why it is so tempting. But I want to give you a BIG warning about it (and show you how to do it better…)

What can go wrong?

Well, any number of things! AI isn’t perfect. It makes mistakes. But because it sounds so good, you don’t notice it. But a potential employer will.

It sounds so bland. I can see a mile away when something has been written by AI. And I have to admit, I silently judge people for sending it out that way. I don’t judge their English skills (or need to use AI) – but their laziness in tweaking it and getting their own personality into it.

Yes, applying for jobs can be daunting.

With so much competition, it’s tempting to turn to AI tools to optimize your resumes and cover letters. However, while AI can provide helpful ideas and frameworks, it shouldn’t replace your own voice and personality.

And my biggest WARNING – is that you may have to attend an interview. Can you imagine how it looks to me (as a potential employer) if I have expectations of perfect English and you walk in with broken English? I will know you didn’t write your application yourself. It’s like the people who say fluent English on their resume by talk to me at a B1 Intermediate level – I start to think, what else can’t I trust?

So what to do instead?

Well, use AI. Absolutely. There’s no need to make this harder than it needs to be. But this is an idea-generating step.

When you are reviewing and improving your application materials (resume and cover letter), think about what makes you unique.

  • What are your proudest accomplishments, biggest motivations, and strongest qualities?

Convey these in your own words. AI may generate well-written content, but it can’t replicate your personal experiences and passions (and it doesn’t even sound like fun).

You are going to need to showcase your individuality in other parts of the process too, so start off on the right foot.

In interviews, you are going to have to share stories that only you can tell. Describe how you overcame obstacles, learned from failures, and connected with mentors. Discuss your future goals and how they align with the company’s mission. No AI program can help you with that.

Basically – you want employers to come away understanding who you are as a person.

AI simply cannot capture the full picture of your background, interests, and objectives. Leaning too heavily on artificial tools prevents your authentic self from shining through.

By all means, use AI to brainstorm ideas and review your work.

But when it comes time to apply, take the reins. Speak from the heart in your own distinct voice. Show your unique perspectives and qualifications. With this approach, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a real human candidate worth hiring, not just a robot generating content.

Meanwhile, I’m still shaking my head while I am reading robotic AI-generated posts all over LinkedIn and wondering if robots really have taken over the world yet….

A bonus (AI generated) list!

Yup, I did it to see what it would give me. I asked an AI app how should I use AI to help we write a resume. I wanted expert advice, right? 😜 (I also asked it to focus on whether it could help me with preparing a resume to pass Automatic Tracking Systems ATS)

Here is the cut & paste of the answer:

“Yes, AI can be very helpful when it comes to optimizing your resume to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS). Here are some key ways AI can assist:

  • Keyword optimization – AI tools can analyze your resume and job description to ensure you are using the right keywords that an ATS looks for. This helps ensure your resume makes it through initial screening.
  • Formatting – AI can check that your resume formatting follows best practices. Simple, consistent formatting without fancy templates or tables allows an ATS to easily scan your document.
  • Readability – AI can assess the readability level of your resume text. Complex language can trip up an ATS, so AI can suggest simplifying your wording and sentence structure.
  • Customization – AI resume builders allow you to tailor your resume content to each job you apply for. Targeting your experience for the role lets you align better with what the ATS seeks.
  • Error checking – AI can catch any typos, grammar issues, or inconsistencies in dates/titles that could raise flags in an ATS scan.

While AI cannot guarantee ATS success, optimizing with these AI tools can significantly improve your resume’s chances of clearing the initial screening stage. But remember, landing an interview still requires showcasing your unique experience and fit for the role.”

Yup – even AI warned me about losing my personality in there….. 🤯

*If you need some support in preparing for job interviews in English, reach out to me. I have an online self-study course as well as a 1-1 program to make sure you have all the professional support you need to improve your English and land the job you are dreaming of.

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