How to use AI to research jobs and prepare for applying
Careerpilot has lots of up-to-date content curated by qualified career advisers, so is a great place to start to explore jobs and courses. However, you may also find AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot useful for researching job roles, employers, and industry sectors further; researching CV formats; and practicing interview questions. By asking the right question or prompt, you can find useful and comprehensive information to support your understanding of what is required for different careers and to help prepare for applying to a role.
Examples of prompts you might use:
- ‘I'm a Level 3 Music Technology student interested in working in sound design for films. What skills and qualifications are needed to work in this industry in the UK?’
- ‘I am a law graduate at the University of Bristol. I have an interview for a paralegal for a local family law firm. What 5 questions might I be asked at the interview?’
Top Tips for using AI Chatbots:
- Ask AI questions (prompts) that are clear, specific and concise. You can reframe questions and fine-tune responses if you don’t get useful answers.
- You may need to stipulate you want answers based on UK data, as can use US based data if not stated.
- Don’t provide AI tools with your personal details.
- Please take note of the warnings about the accuracy of the information provided as well as the terms and conditions of any AI tool and understand how any text you input will be used. Beware that some AI tools can contain bias and can reinforce stereotypes if drawing from existing bias in its data sources.
- Any AI tool can make mistakes. Not all free-to-use AI tools use completely up-to-date data sources. You should check the information it provides by asking it to list its sources.
Should I use AI to write my application?
If you are thinking about using AI tools to generate and write your application, cover letter or even CV content, stop and think, will it capture what is unique and special about you, or will it sound like every other AI generated application?
Employers are starting to see many similar AI generated applications and feedback from some is that it is becoming obvious where AI has been used to apply, so while it may be a helpful research tool for initial planning and preparation, you should avoid copy and pasting directly from AI answers to write applications.
Remember, the employer is looking for an individual that will suit the role, who is passionate about the work, is willing to learn, will get on with the team and fit with the company culture. This is as much about your character and who you are as a person, as it is about your qualifications, skills and experience. Therefore, using your own words and authentic voice is important to help you to stand out from the crowd.
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