AI is impacting every industry, and it can be challenging to know when and how to use this tool. Career Services is highlighting five common ways they’re seeing AI misused in job searching and applications, and how to improve your approach to better connect with employers.
Copy-Pasting AI-Generated Cover Letters and Resumes
Why it’s bad: Employers can spot generic, AI-generated content easily. It lacks authenticity and often doesn’t align with a student’s actual skills or experiences. AI should assist, not replace, your voice.
Better approach: Use AI to generate ideas but personalize and refine the content to reflect your unique experiences and voice.
Overusing Buzzwords and Jargon from AI Suggestions
Why it’s bad: AI-generated content often fills resumes and cover letters with overused phrases like “highly motivated individual” or “results-driven professional,” which don’t make an application stand out. Your resume should feel natural, not robotic, and it should use specific examples to showcase why you would be a good fit for the job.
Better approach: Use AI for structure, but make sure your wording reflects your actual achievements. For example, “Media and Communications student with four years design experience in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Canva.”
Relying on AI for Interview Answers
Why it’s bad: Memorizing AI-generated responses for interviews makes candidates sound scripted and inauthentic, and you risk spending too much time and energy trying to remember what you’re “supposed to say” as opposed to engaging meaningfully with the question and the interviewer.
Better approach: Use AI to give yourself ideas for what would be good examples to highlight. For instance, use a prompt like “Which of these examples is stronger for demonstrating my time management?” Even if you have examples cued up in your head, it’s still important to speak naturally and adjust in the moment based on the conversation.
Relying on AI for Networking Messages Without Personalization
Why it’s bad: Generic LinkedIn messages or emails from AI lack warmth and personal connection, making them easy for professionals to ignore.
Better approach: Use AI for drafting an outline, but personalize messages by mentioning specific details about the person, organization, or details from past conversations.
Using AI for Dishonesty
Why it’s bad: AI should enhance experiences you already have, not fabricate them. Be truthful about your skills and work history, as it can quickly become obvious in the application or during an interview if someone has overexaggerated their experience or understanding.
Better approach: Use AI to refine how you present your real experiences instead of inventing new ones. If you lack a certain skill, focus on transferable skills you do have and seek opportunities to build the missing ones so you can fill in any gaps.
AI is a great assistant when you’re job hunting, but your personal experiences, voice, and authenticity matter most. Use AI to refine, not replace, your job application materials.
Have questions about using AI appropriately in your job search? Make an appointment with Career Services or stop by 401 Tory Building during drop-in hours, Monday to Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2025 in Academic, Employability, News
Share: Twitter, Facebook
More News Posts
Ask Me