Elly from recruitment company Venn group shares some tips on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and job hunting. She explores how AI can be used in your job search and how recruiters are already using it to source candidates, screen CVs and assess skills.
Like every major technological shift, AI forces us to confront a delicate balance between opportunity and risk. On the positive side, AI is an amazing tool, it’s accessible and increasingly inclusive. On the other hand, we are only beginning to understand its broader effects, from disruption in job markets and evolving workforce skill demands to its deeper environmental impact.
If you do decide to use AI to help you with applying for jobs, the challenge is how to use it intelligently and intentionally, as a supportive tool rather than a replacement.
Your application
Using AI: Unless explicitly prohibited, employers increasingly assume that candidates may use AI in their applications. The key is to use AI to refine content you have already written yourself, NOT to generate content on its own. Your application should still sound like you and be made up of your own words – never trust AI to write something from scratch. Common AI giveaways include overuse of dashes, exaggerated language and generic phrasing. If it doesn’t feel like you, don’t include it.
Eradicate errors: AI is highly effective for checking spelling and grammar. Rather than asking it to make direct edits, ask it to explain suggested changes. This allows you to retain control over tone, meaning and UK English conventions.
Understand the job specification: Input the job advert into AI to identify key skills, competencies and keywords. You can then ensure these are reflected and layered in your CV. This is particularly important for applications screened by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as keyword density is often a search perimeter.
Differentiate yourself: Whilst AI can help shape your experience, it can’t capture your personality. And that’s what often makes the difference in hiring decisions. Bring your CV to life by showing what makes you unique. Over-reliance on AI risks making your application generic and diluting your voice.
Remember: Young Women’s Trust offer a free support service where you can get detailed and personalised advice and feedback on your job application or CV, from a real human who works in recruitment. Find out more and sign up here.
How recruiters are using AI
Searching for candidates: Recruiters can now input job specifications into CV databases and use AI-powered search tools to identify relevant candidates instantly. This means it is super important to match key words and skills from the job documents in your application. However, your application will always finally end up in front of human eyes so ensure your voice is there and that the personal profile really reflects what makes you stand out and why they should employ you. That is your chance to talk to them.
Note: The format of your CV is really important. AI can struggle to read “pictures” PNG or PDF formats and when there is complex formatting or tables it will miss information. Use simple layouts.
If you do choose to use AI – use it to:
- Improve and enhance
- Analyse
Rely on your judgment and personality to:
- Differentiate yourself
- Network and connect with hiring managers
- Engage with the human reader
Sign up for free job application support now.