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.

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 that may help with creating more effective application documents.

• Can provide a well-structured 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. They may have mixed opinions and differing expectations surrounding the use of GenAI for job applications.

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 generative AI

• 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 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 incorporate keywords from the job description.

• 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 where appropriate – and your own font/formatting.

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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