Are you missing out on interviews by not using artificial intelligence in your job search? If you’re not tech-savvy, you might as well be, recruiters warn. It is possible that “the computer says no” and that your CV does not go through an artificial intelligence-driven selection process, compiled for the hiring company.
Last year, a report from AI-based recruiting platform Jobscan found that nearly all Fortune 500 companies now use AI tools to track applications, which typically involves scanning CVs to eliminate those deemed to be They do not meet job specifications. And at the same time, nearly half of job seekers say they use artificial intelligence tools when applying for jobs.
It’s easy to understand why.
Advances in technology, particularly generative AI, have changed the job application process. The tools can help refine CVs and cover letters, as well as better highlight skills and experience, says Alex Bates, data expert at global recruiting company PageGroup. This can be advantageous for women seeking employment, she maintains. For example, research from PageGroup found that “more women [than men] “I say writing a cover letter is a major barrier.”
Anna Petosa, human resources executive at US retailer SwagDrop, also notes that “AI recruiting tools can help make jobs attractive to everyone, avoiding coded language that favors one gender.”
With women still underrepresented in senior and leadership roles globally, some experts hope that the adoption of AI in recruiting could encourage more women to apply for them.
Kirsty Garshong of recruitment firm Harnham Group says women often apply for a job only if they believe they “can do 90 per cent of the role”, but male candidates often set the bar much lower.
However, thanks to AI, women could become more objective about their suitability for a position and also feel prepared for interviews. “AI can help by facilitating greater information sharing between the candidate and potential employer, such as creating mock interviews or generating potential interview questions,” he says. “It also gives candidates practice in effectively presenting their more interpersonal skills.”
However, it is a difficult time to be looking for work, regardless of gender. Economic uncertainty has weakened the labor market and demand from job seekers is outstripping supply. Vacancies in the United Kingdom between June and August, for example, fell 14 percent year-on-year, according to the Office for National Statistics.
As a result, as AI tools make it easier and faster for candidates to find and apply for positions, recruiters are inundated with applications. Hung Lee, who directs the popular Brainfood Recruitment newsletter, says candidates’ fears that jobs will be advertised for short periods only leads them to leverage AI to help apply as quickly as possible: “It’s an arms race.”
Making an app stand out is changing. Human resources departments report seeing nearly identical applications that often contain generic phrases and examples. Applications that are distinctive enough to pass initial AI screenings are typically vetted by human recruiters to shortlist candidates for interview. Lee says they are increasingly looking for evidence of original thinking and emotional intelligence. “And that’s where women can have an advantage,” she argues.
At least for now, using AI in the job search seems like a no-brainer: to beat the robots and increase your chances of meeting a human hiring manager. The good news is that there are many free, easy-to-use AI tools to polish CVs and cover letters, and prepare for interviews. Here’s a rundown of some popular ones:
Gender decoder
To help navigate any perceived gender bias in a job description or application, Nicola Thomas, a specialist in AI and work at the University of Sheffield business school, recommends uploading job specifications and your CV or covering letter in this fascinating tool. Quickly scan the text and assess whether primarily feminine or masculine language has been used, while highlighting relevant examples. Users can try to match their own language to that used in the job ad in an attempt to overcome bias.
gender decoder.katmatfield.com
ChatGPT
The generative AI chatbot can be accessed as a smartphone app or by logging into the OpenAI website, allowing users to send it their CV, cover letter and job description, and broadcast a message. Thomas says, “If you were looking for a job, the message I would give you would be, ‘I’m applying for a job at company X.’ I have uploaded my CV and job description. How can I improve my CV?’” But she adds that, when she was a recruiter, “I was always looking for candidates who were as personalized as possible for our company. So use ChatGPT to perfect your cover letter and CV, not to write them for you.”
openai.com/chatgpt
Job scanning
This tool promises to optimize a resume “for any job.” Upload a CV and job description and within seconds it extracts information from them to generate a compatibility score. Provides a detailed breakdown of how a CV stacks up against the job description, including hard and soft skills, measurable results, design, and web presence. It also provides tips to improve compatibility scores.
One tip to avoid being ruled out by bots in an employer’s initial filter is to mention the exact job title you are applying for, especially if your own employment history does not include it. A simple mention of, for example, transferable skills relevant to the job within the summary section of the CV could make the difference in moving the application to the next stage. Jobscan allows users to evaluate their CV twice a month for free; To do this more frequently or to access more tools, a subscription is required.
jobscan.co
Smart match
This service promises to bring recruiters closer to the job seeker. Users create a profile to be matched with roles based on their skills, strengths and interests from the more than 300,000 employers using Employment Hero, an Australia-based human resources platform. It’s free and takes a few minutes to create a profile and upload your CV. Ask users the types of roles they’re interested in and then share a list of employers who hire for similar roles, but don’t necessarily advertise. Register your interest with anyone you choose to be contacted directly.
SmartMatch came in handy for London-based Ali Randell, 35, who was made redundant from her role as a people and cultural leader this year. “I discovered that I matched myself using more criteria than just the job title,” says Randell, who had gotten “a little fed up with job hunting.” You’ve now had several conversations with hiring managers.
smartmatch.employmenthero.com
Premium Career on LinkedIn
Think of this as a virtual career coach. LinkedIn’s AI toolset includes a profile writing assistant that also serves to enhance your CV. Users can enhance their profile title and summary, making them stand out “in nearly twice as many job opportunities,” LinkedIn says. They’ll also be able to mark three jobs a month as their top choice, making their profile stand out to recruiters with a badge (verifying their credentials) and a personalized message when applying.
Premium Career also provides access to advanced search filters, allowing users to find recruiters who are actively hiring and jobs for which they would be the “best applicants.” Users can then send direct messages to recruiters even if they don’t have a LinkedIn connection with them. The platform says this is almost five times more effective at getting a response than cold emails. Premium Career is free for one month, after which a subscription fee applies.
linkedin.com/premium
Glassdoor and salary scale
Both offer AI-powered salary comparison tools that are useful in the final stage of a successful application process, providing a detailed look at what an employer and peers will pay for similar roles. Enter your job title and company name to find useful information to help you negotiate a salary.
glassdoor.es
payscale.com
HeadshotPro
If it’s tempting to use AI-manipulated headshots in job applications, remember that recruiters won’t be happy to find out you’ve provided “false” information. But if you’re curious about what AI would do with your headshot, a site like HeadshotPro is worth trying.
headshotpro.com