Job hunting with AI: 4 tried & tested techniques

Job hunting in 2024 is challenging. With layoffs making headlines and competition intensifying, landing a new position requires more effort and strategy than ever before. But good news: artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful ally in the job search process.

In case you’re feeling skeptical, we’re not saying AI is here to take over your job search. Think of it more like a smart assistant that can streamline and enhance your efforts. It’s about working smarter, not harder, in your quest for the right job opportunity.

In this post, we'll explore five practical ways AI can transform your job hunt - from optimizing your CV/resume to preparing you for interviews. The best part? You don't need to be a tech expert to leverage these tools effectively.

Before we dive in, remember: AI is a tool, not a magical solution. It won't do the job search for you. It will amplify your efforts though, giving you more time to focus on what truly matters – showcasing your unique skills and experiences. Also, AI can hallucinate. It’s known to sometimes make stuff up and wrap it all up in confident-sounding replies. So make sure you double-check facts for accuracy, and put your personal spin on anything it writes for you.

OK without further ado, let's dive into how you can make AI a valuable part of your job-hunting strategy. With the right approach, your next career move could be closer than you think.

Using generative AI for resumes

Obviously, before you start going for interviews, you need to apply for jobs. And for that, you need a resume. Not just a bland, generic resume either. Ideally, your CV will be tailored and specific to the exact job and company you’re applying to.

Here's how AI can make a significant impact on drafting resumes:

Content generation:

Knowing where to start with a resume can be hard. But you can give all your personal info - like education details, employment history, skills etc - to ChatGPT and ask for suggestions on how to turn it into a winning resume.

Making your resume specific:

AI tools like ChatGPT can help you tailor your resume for specific job listings. Feed it the job description, and it can suggest relevant keywords and skills to include. This increases your chances of getting past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use.

Refining language:

AI writing assistants can help polish your language, ensuring it's clear, concise, and free of errors. They can suggest more impactful verbs or industry-specific terminology that might catch a recruiter's eye.

Formatting suggestions:

Some AI tools can analyze your resume's layout and suggest improvements for readability and visual appeal. This can be especially helpful if you're not confident in your design skills.

Customization at scale:

If you're applying to multiple positions, AI can help you quickly customize your application materials for each one. This saves time while ensuring each application feels tailored to the specific role.

Remember, while AI can provide a solid foundation, your resume and cover letter should ultimately reflect your unique voice and experiences. Use AI as a tool to enhance your writing, not replace it entirely. And always review the final product carefully – you don't want to send out a cover letter addressing the wrong company because of an AI slip-up.

Streamlining your job search with Clay AI

Job searching often feels like a full-time job itself. It takes a (really) long time, it’s super repetitive, and let’s face it - pretty mundane. Not only that but it’s easy to miss potential jobs too, unless you’re scanning all the platforms 24/7.

So, how can you use AI to make this whole Herculean task easier? Try Clay. We speak from personal experience when we say it’s a powerful tool. It essentially acts like a super-powered Excel spreadsheet that automatically imports data from various sources like LinkedIn, Apollo, and many more platforms into synced tables. But it doesn’t stop there - you can also perform automated, AI-powered outreach from the tool as well.

Here’s a summary of the different things you can do with Clay:

• Easily find relevant job listings
• Identify potential networking contacts within your target companies
• Contact your new network to set up informational interviews
• Easily apply to job listings

Check out our detailed step-by-step tutorial, Accelerate your job search with Clay, for instructions on how to streamline the job hunt process.

Writing cover letters using ChatGPT

Suffering from a case of writer's block? AI tools like ChatGPT to Claude can generate a basic structure for your cover letter. Feed the AI the description of the job you’re applying for along with a copy of your finished resume, then ask it to create an outline for a cover letter that covers all the essential things. These tools are especially good at highlighting your key qualifications based on the job requirements, which will make your cover letter strong.

Remember - everyone is using AI these days. Recruiters and employers are getting good at identifying what’s been written by AI and by a human. We strongly recommend using ChatGPT or Claude to draft the structure of your cover letter, and then writing it yourself. You don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot and put off potential employers by submitting applications that scream “written by AI”.

Using ChatGPT for interview prep

Alright, so you’ve applied to jobs and had some positive replies. Yay! But now for probably the hardest part of the whole process - interviews.

No two ways about it: job interviews are nerve-wracking. However, using AI tools like ChatGPT can help you feel more prepared. Here's how:

• Research potential questions: Ask ChatGPT to generate likely interview questions for your field. It can provide a range of common and industry-specific queries.
• Structure your answers: Use ChatGPT to help format your responses. It can suggest ways to clearly present your experience and skills.
• Practice interviews: Set up mock interviews with ChatGPT. It can play the role of the interviewer, giving you real-time practice. ChatGPT’s voice note feature is especially helpful with this.
• Get feedback: After your practice sessions, ask ChatGPT for feedback on your answers. It can highlight areas for improvement.

Our tutorial, How to use AI to prepare for a job interview, walks you through this exact process and includes prompts you can steal to save you guessing.

Remember, ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacement for your own knowledge and experience. Use it to enhance your preparation, but always add your personal touch to answers.

A final note: Making AI your job search ally

AI tools have the potential to revolutionize how we search for jobs, making it more efficient and effective. From crafting tailored resumes to preparing for interviews, AI can be a valuable assistant in your career journey. But we can’t say it enough: AI’s there to enhance your efforts, not replace your unique human touch. Always review and personalize AI-generated content, and use it as a springboard for your own ideas and experiences.

Give these AI-powered techniques a try. They might just be the edge you need in today's competitive job market. Good luck with your job search!