As helpful as AI is for so many things, it requires skillful prompting to use it in a way that works for critical processes like job applications. Therefore, I was delighted to get this question:

How is it viewed by recruiters to use AI for applications, e.g. formulation of CV and cover letter, if it is based on original input?

As human beings, we are brilliant at detecting lies. We can't always put our finger on it, but we just know, don't we?

Therefore, it's often enough that something has just a few hints of non-human origin for us to pick up on it. It might be a little too polished, a turn of phrase that's correct, but too... something.

You can't necessarily detect it in your own documents because you're too close to them, but recruiters do. There is a lack of originality, energy, and personality. Even if everything in your application is technically true, the greatest loss is credibility, much like a CV that mainly consists of copy-pasted text from formal job descriptions.

Also, the way AI works, it naturally gravitates toward the mean, leading to boring, cookie-cutter applications that blend in. AI is also trained to be more kind and affirming than critical, which is nice, but not always helpful.

So how do recruiters view these applications? With suspicion – and they're getting bored out of their minds!

Here are some tips for using AI in a way that ensures your documents convey your voice and show your personality:

1. Treat AI as your well-meaning but occasionally stubborn assistant who is brilliant at some things, but not everything, and doesn't always follow instructions. You're the adult, and the expert, in the room.

2. Create an AI primer document with information about you, your communication style and tone, what you'd like to convey, etc. Always upload and ask AI to read it before you start working on an application. This will save you so much time in the long run and greatly improve AI's output.

3. Upload a few writing samples that you're proud of and that reflect your voice and writing style.

4. Give very clear instructions in terms of what role you want AI to take, that your goal is to stand out, not blend in, etc.

5. Start with something you wrote yourself, and go from there.

6. Take it section by section. I find AI works best when given one instruction at a time and with a limited scope. If a request gets too complex, things tend to get messy quickly.

7. When you struggle with articulating something, use the dictation function on your computer (google how to activate it if you're not sure) and just talk about it for a bit. Then ask AI to capture the essence of what you've said, and to provide you with 3 different suggestions. Ask for additional suggestions, possibly with course-correcting instructions, if you're not happy with what it suggests. Then piece together the text on your own, inspired by all the suggestions you receive.

8. Keep questioning and course-correcting along the way.

9. Read your drafts out loud to get a feel for how it will be received, and make adjustments to anything that doesn't feel like something you would say or write.

Here are a few things for which I find AI to be particularly helpful when it comes to application writing:

• Double-checking and deepening my understanding of the role based on the job posting.

• Draw out my key skills and achievements, strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis a specific role.

• Identify which of multiple CVs/cover letters will require the least customization for a new opportunity.

• Shorten or sharpen a sentence, bullet or paragraph.

• Identify duplication and inconsistencies.

• Get me unstuck when I struggle to express something (see #7 above).

• Catch spelling and grammatical errors that regular spell/grammar checks don't catch (like a misspelled word that is actually another word spelled correctly).

I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you remain in charge and regularly question your "co-worker" when using AI.

Don't outsource your good judgment to the machine.

Used well, AI can help enhance and clarify your authentic voice, highlight your strengths, and ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Wishing you a fun and fruitful co-writing process 👧🏽+🤖=🌟

PS. When you want a human perspective on your AI-assisted application, consider an Essentials Application Review and get personalized expert feedback./blog