Using generative AI to apply for jobs and explore careers

Generative AI tools are changing how we approach tasks. They can help you be more productive and creative, letting you solve problems in new ways. This means they can also help you in your career.

They include:

You should use generative AI responsibly, since it comes with risks and limitations. Think of AI as a helper or tool to enhance your work and efforts, and book an appointment if you want to discuss how best to use it.

What is generative AI?

Generative AI creates text, images, video, or other content in response to ‘prompts’ or questions. It's widely used to help write, design and research.

It analyses vast amounts of historical data to generate responses that mimic human creativity and reasoning. It's also conversational: you can ask it questions naturally, as you would ask a human, and receive answers that make sense.

You can learn more about generative AI from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Using AI to help you

1. Writing CVs and cover letters

AI can suggest ways to structure your CV and write stronger, impactful sentences, turning vague descriptions into clear, result-focused bullet points. It can also help you match your cover letter to the job description, research the employer, and check your spelling and grammar.

You should always check and edit what AI produces. Make sure the language sounds like you and that all information is correct. Consider booking an appointment with a CV adviser for more tailored support.

2. Preparing for interviews

AI can create practice questions for interviews or suggest sample answers. This can help you get ready and practise your responses. You can sometimes upload a job description to make the questions AI suggests more relevant.

Use AI-generated answers as a guide, but ensure you talk about your own experiences. Practise with a careers adviser to better understand good interview answers, more deeply reflect on your experiences, and improve your delivery.

3. Getting ready for assessment centres

Assessment centres test how you solve problems and work in teams. AI can give you tips or simulate exercises to help you prepare. You can prompt the AI using any briefings you receive from the employer beforehand. 

Assessment centres focus on teamwork and adaptability, so hands-on practice matters. Consider booking a careers appointment or completing the Spotlight Award to try tasks out for real. 

4. Finding opportunities

AI can recommend job titles, industries or employers based on your skills and interests. This can expand your search and give you new ideas.

Use AI to guide your search, but also attend events, network and do your own research.

5. Exploring career options

If you're unsure about your career path, AI can suggest possible industries or roles to consider. You can talk with AI to explore options at your own pace.

Use AI suggestions and conversations as a starting point. Talk to careers advisers, alumni or people working in your sectors of interest for more nuanced and tailored insights.

Risks of using AI

1. Over-relying on AI and being generic

Using AI without adding your personal touch can make what you say sound generic, vague, or formulaic. Employers value authenticity, and look for a close fit between their preferred values and behaviours and yours.

If you rely too much on AI, your applications won’t reflect how you behave and what you believe. The employer will probably be able to tell, and you won’t enjoy the job even if you’re successful. 

2. Accepting inaccurate information

AI sometimes provides outdated or incorrect facts, known as 'hallucinating', such as summarising news articles incorrectly. It can also make up things that sound true, but aren't. For example, if you ask AI to add some books you've read to a CV, it may invent titles that it thinks seem plausible, but don't exist.

It can also sometimes make basic mistakes, like being unable to count. It may also produce harmful, graphic, or offensive content, even if your prompt did not encourage this.

3. Ignoring employer expectations

AI-generated content may not always align with the tone or style expected in your industry or by your preferred employer. For example, AI might generate a formal CV that is too text-heavy for a creative industry role.

Some employers also discourage or even ban the use of AI when applying to them—including AI companies. If you use AI when you're not allowed to, your application may be rejected, or a job offer withdrawn.

4. Sharing too much personal data

Many AI providers reserve the right to use your data to help develop their products, and they do not always let you opt out.

To protect your privacy, consider avoiding including sensitive information in what you say to AI and opting out of data collection where you can. 

5. Impacting the environment and cost

According to one estimate, AI will consume 85 to 134 terawatt hours of electricity every year by 2027. This is about half of all electricity the UK used in 2023. You may want to think about the environmental impact of using AI: do you need it for the task you’re trying to complete?

Further, while many generative AI tools are free, many offer a paid version that is more capable, offers more features, or has fewer usage limits. You may want to consider the limitations of the free version of the AI tool you’re using, and whether it will be advanced enough for your purposes.

Helpful resources