Although the tech unemployment rate dipped last month, many tech professionals are still searching for jobs. As anyone who’s been on the job hunt can tell you, it’s an all-consuming task if done right, because you must constantly identify new opportunities, tailor your application to those opportunities, and then undergo a barrage of interviews and (depending on the role) coding tests. Can generative AI make this process easier? The short answer is “yes.” However, there’s definitely a wrong approach to using generative AI in your job hunt. For instance, if you use it to produce a generic resume, then send that resume to 100 companies, chances are good you’ll receive relatively few requests to interview in return; given how generative AI creates content, your resume will likely end up reading like every other one out there, and you’ll get lost in the applicant pile. However, you can use AI-powered tools to speedily craft customized resumes that quickly catch the attention of recruiters. That’s in addition to using AI to analyze job postings and tailor your application accordingly. Let’s break down an “ideal” AI workflow for job applications.
Examine Job Listings
Not every job posting is well-written, and you’ll likely stare at a lot of them during your job hunt. Here are some ways to use generative AI to speed up this process; input the job posting into the generative AI tool of your choice and ask it to identify essential terms and understand corporate culture.
Identify Essential Terms
Carefully review the job listing to discern the most pertinent keywords and phrases, including technical skills, experience prerequisites, and company-specific jargon. Generative AI can streamline this process by quickly scanning the posting and highlighting the keywords that should be prominently featured in your resume. This includes hard skills like programming languages or software proficiency and soft skills that align with the company’s values and mission.
Understand Corporate Culture
Generative AI can provide insights into a company’s culture by analyzing key phrases within the job posting. Understanding the company’s values, mission, and work environment can help you tailor your resume to align with their expectations. This can include adjusting the tone and language of your resume to better match the hiring company’s style. For instance, if a company’s job posting emphasizes innovation and teamwork, make sure to spotlight experiences that showcase these attributes in your application.
Crafting Your Resume
You certainly have the option of using a “customized” generative AI resume builder. However, with a little thought, you can also use a generic one (i.e., ChatGPT or Gemini) to deliver solid results. If you’re doing some research into tools, use your time to explore AI-powered resume builders that offer customization features and template libraries.
Utilize Diverse Prompts
When it comes time to build your resume, keep the following points in mind: Experiment with various prompts, mix and match sections, and use as much material as possible to create a comprehensive resume. This iterative approach allows you to generate multiple drafts and select the best elements from each, resulting in a polished final product. By using diverse prompts, you ensure that the AI model covers all necessary aspects of your skills and experience, giving a well-rounded representation of your capabilities.
Proofread Extensively
You’re going to proofread regardless. Generative AI gets facts wrong, and it’s crucial to verify all the information on your resume. Don’t just trust the machine to get everything right; meticulously check each section to ensure accuracy. Look out for common errors such as incorrect dates, job titles, or responsibilities. Also, make sure that the language is clear and professional.
Be Ultra-Specific
Be as ultra-specific as possible in your inputs; the output is only as good as the information you give it. Detailed instructions help the AI generate more relevant and precise content. For example, specify the exact metrics that demonstrate your impact in previous roles rather than making vague statements. By providing comprehensive information upfront, you minimize the amount of manual editing needed later, making the process more efficient.
Customizing an Existing Resume
If you already have a resume, even a generic one, you can ask generative AI to tailor the resume to the job description. Here are some potential prompts; you’ll do these one after the other.
Prompt 1: Align Your Resume
Prompt: “Align my resume to this [JOB TITLE] role at [COMPANY]. [Below, the prompt, copy/paste your current resume along with the job description for the target role]”. This prompt helps you ensure that your resume speaks directly to the specific requirements and expectations of the role you are targeting. By aligning your resume, you make it easier for recruiters to see the relevance of your experience to their needs.
Prompt 2: Highlight Key Skills
Prompt: “Highlight the skills and roles from this job description that should be emphasized in my resume. [Then copy/paste your resume from Prompt 1 along with the job description.]”. This allows the AI to prioritize the most critical aspects of your experience and qualifications, making sure the most relevant information stands out. By doing so, you increase the likelihood that your resume will catch the recruiter’s eye and pass through initial screening processes.
Prompt 3: Tailor for a New Position
Prompt: “Rewrite my resume to position me as the ideal candidate for the [JOB TITLE] role at [COMPANY]. [Copy/paste your resume and the job description.]”. Tailoring your resume specifically for a new position means highlighting achievements and skills that align closely with the job requirements. This step can greatly improve your chances of securing an interview by making your resume more compelling and targeted.
Prompt 4: Enhance Experience with Metrics
Prompt: “Add relevant metrics to showcase my accomplishments in previous roles. [Copy/paste your resume.]”. Metrics provide concrete evidence of your achievements and help quantify your contributions. By adding metrics, you give a clear picture of your past performance and potential future impact, making your resume more persuasive and impressive to hiring managers.
Creating a Resume from Scratch
Starting from scratch can be daunting, but AI can streamline the process. Use these prompts to build a complete and effective resume.
Prompt 1: Generate a Basic Resume
Prompt: “Create a resume for a [JOB TITLE] based on this job description. [Copy/paste the job description from your prospective employer’s website.]”. This forms the foundation of your resume, ensuring it aligns with the target job’s requirements from the get-go. AI will help you structure the resume properly, including sections like Objective, Experience, Skills, and Education.
Prompt 2: Tailor Experience
Prompt: “Write a detailed resume for this [TITLE] role at [COMPANY]. Here is my professional history [FILL IN WITH COMPANIES AND ROLES] for the past [X] years. Ensure each role has 3-5 bullet points outlining my responsibilities [FILL IN WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE] and includes pertinent metrics [FILL IN WITH METRICS].”. Tailoring your experience ensures that every part of your work history is relevant to the role you are applying for. This customization highlights your suitability and makes your resume more appealing.
Prompt 3: Add Key Terms
Prompt: “Incorporate the five most crucial keywords from the job description into this resume. [Copy/paste your resume and the job description.]”. Adding key terms from the job description ensures that your resume will be picked up by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), increasing your chances of being seen by human recruiters. Keywords are essential for passing through automated filters and aligning with what employers are specifically looking for.
Prompt 4: Insert an Objective Section (Optional)
Despite a slight drop in the tech unemployment rate last month, many tech professionals remain in search of jobs. Job hunting can be a demanding and time-consuming task, requiring constant attention to new opportunities, customizing applications, and undergoing numerous interviews and coding tests, depending on the role. Can generative AI ease this process? The short answer is “yes.” However, there’s a right and wrong way to use AI in your job search. Using AI to create a generic resume and sending it to 100 companies will likely yield few interview requests. Because generative AI produces similar-sounding content, your resume might get lost in the crowd. Instead, leverage AI tools to quickly generate tailored resumes that stand out to recruiters. Furthermore, AI can analyze job postings and help you fine-tune your application to match specific roles. Let’s delve into a more “ideal” workflow for using AI in your job applications, ensuring that each step maximizes your chances of success in the competitive tech job market.