Generative AI in job applications

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is a relatively new and rapidly evolving technology. The Centre for Career Development (CCD) recognizes that career success can be achieved with or without the assistance of AI. This technology has arrived, and it is already changing the world of work. If you are currently using or considering using AI tools on your career journey (e.g., applying for jobs), the following sections will provide tips, strategies and important considerations for responsible use of GenAI.

Before you consider using GenAI for writing job applications, it is strongly recommended to research Employers’ and your profession’s opinions and expectations of using GenAI. 

While some employers encourage or are indifferent to AI-use, other employers and some specific professions may frown upon and decline applications that use AI to write their applications. For some professions, this can even affect your reputation. 

How do you know employers’ and professions’ stances on GenAI use? Attend employer information sessions and network within your profession to get a well-informed understanding of employers’ opinions and expectations of GenAI and to learn more about the reasoning behind their decisions. 

You can visit the Networking Strategies section of CareerHub to learn more about networking.   

Can GenAI write your résumé and cover letter for you? Technically, yes. However, GenAI is a tool, and like any tool, there are pros, cons and considerations for its use.

Advantages of using GenAI for job applications:

• Can save time and energy

• Offers tips and considerations , including suggested keywords, that may help with creating more effective application documents

• Can provide a rough starting point for your first draft

• Can help to incorporate a professional tone and style

Drawbacks of using GenAI for job applications:

• May not be as effective at producing personalized, tailored documents

• Often lacks individualized evidence, background context for skills and experience

• May overlook, inaccurately represent or generate false information about your skills and experiences

• Employers may be able to detect that GenAI was used to write an application, especially if it’s keyword heavy or lifts exact phrasing from the job ad

• Additionally, employers may have mixed opinions or be explicitly against the use of GenAI for job applications, which can affect your ability to get an interview.

From Government of Canada’s guide on the use of generative AI:

FASTER principles: Fair, Accountable, Secure, Transparent, Educated, Relevant

For the purposes of using AI as a tool for job applications, the following three principles are taken into consideration:

1. Accountable: Take responsibility for the content generated by these tools and the impacts of their use. This includes making sure generated content is accurate, legal and ethical.

2. Secure: Ensure that the infrastructure and tools are appropriate for the security classification of the information and that privacy and personal information are protected.

3. Educated: Learn about the strengths, limitations and responsible use of the tools; learn how to create effective prompts and to identify potential weaknesses in the outputs.

Low-risk vs. higher-risk uses

Government of Canada also offers the concept of low-risk and higher-risk uses of GenAI

• Low-risk use: e.g., “editing a draft document that will go through additional reviews and approvals”

• Higher-risk use: e.g., “generating a summary of client information” (security/privacy concerns)

How might this apply in employment/career settings?

• Low-risk use: e.g., prompting AI for cover letter writing tips

• Higher-risk use: e.g., submitting an AI-generated cover letter to an employer as-is, without personalized edits – consider the “Drawbacks of using GenAI for job applications” above

Tip #1: Make AI your brainstorming partner

• It’s all about the prompts! The more specific the prompt, and the more information you provide, the better results GenAI tools will produce

  • Example: “Can you help me write a cover letter?” vs. “Can you help me write a cover letter for a job that requires excellent teamwork, problem-solving skills and proficiency in Excel?”

• Take it one prompt at a time – for example, asking Gen AI tools to produce a bullet point or a paragraph is often more effective than asking it to draft an entire document

• Consider searching the web for prompts to use for reference and inspiration

Tip #2: Question your “pre-first” draft

• If you’ve prompted AI to generate a résumé or cover letter for you, consider it a “pre-first draft”

• Especially without numerous, specific prompts, AI lacks the ability to create a truly personalized, tailored job application. Personalizing your application will help make your application stand out to potential employers

Tip #3: Make AI your editor

• You might also consider taking the reverse approach: starting with a first draft written by you and using AI to help edit

• GenAI is generally more effective (for the purposes of landing an interview) at editing and improving on your existing résumé or cover letter than it is at creating one from scratch

• Sample resource from Microsoft: Tweak your résumé with action words using Microsoft Copilot’s AI.

Personalization and accuracy:

• Ensure names, contact info, dates and other details are complete and accurate

• Do your applications sound too generic? Add personalized touches and details

Targeted adjustments:

• Align the résumé and cover letter with the job requirements and intentionally incorporate keywords from the job description or edit very blatantly copied-and-pasted keywords or phrases the AI took from the job ad .

• Ensure that the skills and qualifications you highlight are relevant to the opportunity you’re applying for

Adding unique elements:

• Include specific evidence and context for your skills and experiences not mentioned by the GenAI software

• Incorporate your own words, phrases, and writing style, including your own format/formatting, where appropriate.

Feedback incorporation:

• Seek feedback from mentors, professionals in your field, and/or career advisors at the Centre for Career Development

• Use feedback to refine and improve the content

Groundbreaking technology like GenAI can evoke mixed feelings for people, including employers.

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