How can AI support your job search?
There is no denying the fact that those who are unable to adapt to change will pay for it in the long run. Something that has been dominating my timeline on LinkedIn is AI-generated profile photos and tips on how AI can help you take the job market by storm. While I appreciate that there is a lot we can do with AI, does it really give you the upper hand during the job search??
I dove head first into how AI can help you find a new role. Some areas were more successful than others, but I am happy for you to learn from my experience.?
AI-generated profile photo
I’m not very photogenic, I am the first to admit it. I HATE my LinkedIn profile photo, so I jumped at the chance to see what AI could come up with. I downloaded an app and got to work.
Disastrous.
The photos are lovely, but look nothing like me. In my opinion, it is more important to have a true representation of yourself on your profile than a computer-generated image of what you “should” look like. Do you really want to start your relationship with a new employer by misleading them??
Resume optimisation
There are numerous tools out there that promise to help you get noticed by ATS systems and recruiters. This is great. I highly suggest running your CV through one of these tools if you are applying for a specific job. It will suggest keywords that you can add to make your profile to make you stand out.?
Here’s the thing, I don’t look at keywords. I look at outcomes. What have you achieved that makes you stand out from the crowd? Have you streamlined the VAT filing process by cutting down the time spent on returns by 25%? Keywords are great, but it is more important to give tangible examples of what you can bring to the table.?
These tools can be particularly helpful if you have no resume or don’t know where to start. One thing I would definitely advise is to keep it simple! Most recruiters are not impressed with fancy resume formats and text blocks. In fact, we hate them.?
Create a portfolio website?
If you want to display your online portfolio on a website and provide a link to potential employers, you can ask ChatGPT to write the code. You will need to have some knowledge of coding in order to input detailed and accurate prompts, but it’s not rocket science. You can then tweak it and add information from there. But remember, it should be used as a starting point and not a completed product.?
Matching your profile to suitable jobs
This is a definite winner.
The LinkedIn algorithm will alert you to roles that match your profile and skill set. By adding as much detail as possible, you can receive alerts when jobs are advertised in your area. AI-powered platforms can also alert you to new roles that are similar to your previous applications. Use these alerts and send your resume to relevant recruiters.?
Interview Preparation
Chatbots can help you narrow down the type of questions you could face when interviewing with a certain company. They can also help you research the company so that you are fully prepared to dazzle interviewers.?
As long as you enter the correct prompts, you will be able to use the likes of ChatGPT to prepare for an interview.?
Entering the right prompt will take some trial and error, but there are lots of resources online that can help you. I would not suggest relying on this alone, especially if you are working with a recruiter. AI is great for basic preparation but it cannot provide personal company insights or direct you towards specific questions that the hiring manager is likely to ask.?
Writing a personalised cover letter?
Are cover letters still a thing??
Personally, I’m not a fan.?
That could be partially due to the fact that when I was a professional CV writer, I wrote a lot of “personal cover letters” for people I’d never met. I eloquently explained why they were the perfect candidate for the role. How? By using the job description and company website. So far, I have not received a client request for a cover letter. Fingers crossed, they’ll soon become a thing of the past.?
Automate your job applications?
There are Chrome extensions available that will auto-populate text fields based on the information that you have provided. This can save you a lot of time if you are applying to multiple roles. You upload your resume and enter the job titles you are applying to. This approach might feel like it’s saving you time, but there is no opportunity to personalise your application. Personalised applications have a greater chance of success than applications where you are just pushing “quick apply.” Have you tailored your experience to the role? Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds on your CV, you need to make sure it’s worth reading!
While none of these tools are fool-proof, they can certainly provide you with a good starting point. One AI tool I would recommend is Grammarly. Install the Chrome extension and it will alert you to spelling and grammar errors, helping you to put your best foot forward.?
For more tips on how AI tools can help you navigate your job search, feel free to get in touch. And, keep your eyes peeled on the Harvey John Media Hub for further exploration into how AI will impact the tax market in the near future.