AI Can’t Get You Hired—But It Can Help With Your Job Search
AI is everywhere, but should you use it in your job search?
Whether you’re skeptical about AI’s effectiveness, coding a large language model to send cold emails to hiring managers, or somewhere in between, there’s no denying it: AI can be a helpful tool when used strategically.
But, don’t rely on AI to do the thinking or speak on your behalf. Your experience and your unique perspective are what set you apart, and no tool can replicate that.
Here’s how we’re seeing candidates use AI to streamline their job search:
Writing a strong base cover letter.
If writing cover letters feels like a chore (because, let’s be honest, it can), AI can help you get started.
Paste in the job description and a quick summary of your background into a GenAI tool like ChatGPT or CoPilot and watch AI generate a tailored outline or even a full cover letter. But submitting an AI-generated letter probably won’t get you the job. AI has its own voice (and one that is recognizable to many) so it’s important that you edit any outputs to make it sound like your voice. Adjust grammar and writing style to match your own and add some context about why the role excites you and how your values align with the organization’s to make the letter feel authentic.
Customizing their resume using key words.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, which scan for specific words and phrases from the job posting. AI tools are great at pulling those keywords and giving you ideas on how to match them to your experience. And for a bonus: if you have multiple versions of your resume for various roles, AI can help you quickly edit each one without needing to rewrite from scratch.
Preparing for interviews.
Not sure how to answer, “tell me about yourself”? Or need help structuring your response to a behavioral question? AI can walk you through sample answers and frameworks (like STAR) to help you get comfortable, especially if you don’t have anyone to practice with.
You can even feed it a job description and ask, “What kinds of interview questions might they ask for this role?” They’re not guaranteed but could be a good starting point.
Researching companies faster.
Before going into an interview, it’s important to know as much as you can about the company and understand who you’re talking to. You can leverage AI tools to give you comprehensive background information about the organization, and you can use that intel to tailor your questions during interviews and show you’ve done your homework. But be careful – AI outputs need to be fact-checked, so make sure you check the sources/links before considering the information genuine.
Staying organized.
If your job search feels chaotic, AI can help you build simple trackers, follow-up email templates, and even create a daily to-do list based on your priorities. It’s like having a virtual job search assistant to keep you on track and organized.
Whether you’re skeptical about AI’s effectiveness, coding a large language model to send cold emails to hiring managers, or somewhere in between, there’s no denying it: AI can be a helpful tool when used strategically.
But, don’t rely on AI to do the thinking or speak on your behalf. Your experience and your unique perspective are what set you apart, and no tool can replicate that.
Here’s how we’re seeing candidates use AI to streamline their job search:
Writing a strong base cover letter.
If writing cover letters feels like a chore (because, let’s be honest, it can), AI can help you get started.
Paste in the job description and a quick summary of your background into a GenAI tool like ChatGPT or CoPilot and watch AI generate a tailored outline or even a full cover letter. But submitting an AI-generated letter probably won’t get you the job. AI has its own voice (and one that is recognizable to many) so it’s important that you edit any outputs to make it sound like your voice. Adjust grammar and writing style to match your own and add some context about why the role excites you and how your values align with the organization’s to make the letter feel authentic.
Customizing their resume using key words.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, which scan for specific words and phrases from the job posting. AI tools are great at pulling those keywords and giving you ideas on how to match them to your experience. And for a bonus: if you have multiple versions of your resume for various roles, AI can help you quickly edit each one without needing to rewrite from scratch.
Preparing for interviews.
Not sure how to answer, “tell me about yourself”? Or need help structuring your response to a behavioral question? AI can walk you through sample answers and frameworks (like STAR) to help you get comfortable, especially if you don’t have anyone to practice with.
You can even feed it a job description and ask, “What kinds of interview questions might they ask for this role?” They’re not guaranteed but could be a good starting point.
Researching companies faster.
Before going into an interview, it’s important to know as much as you can about the company and understand who you’re talking to. You can leverage AI tools to give you comprehensive background information about the organization, and you can use that intel to tailor your questions during interviews and show you’ve done your homework. But be careful – AI outputs need to be fact-checked, so make sure you check the sources/links before considering the information genuine.
Staying organized.
If your job search feels chaotic, AI can help you build simple trackers, follow-up email templates, and even create a daily to-do list based on your priorities. It’s like having a virtual job search assistant to keep you on track and organized.
Nicole DelToro has been helping organizations (big and small) hire and retain top talent for over 26 years, while helping individuals realize their personal and professional goals by ensuring they’re working in the environment that’s ideal for their current situation. Contact her at [email protected]
Brooke Fisher brings more than 20 years of financial recruiting expertise to your search. She has worked with both candidates who have just a few years' experience and Chief Financial Officers to match the best candidates to the perfect companies. Brooke's expertise is in mid to large-sized companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and real estate industries. Email her at [email protected]
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
Brooke Fisher brings more than 20 years of financial recruiting expertise to your search. She has worked with both candidates who have just a few years' experience and Chief Financial Officers to match the best candidates to the perfect companies. Brooke's expertise is in mid to large-sized companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and real estate industries. Email her at [email protected]
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
