AI in your career journey: The good, the bad and how to make it work for you
University of Glasgow Careers, Employability & Opportunity
By Aaron McKenna , Student Professional Development Consultant (Careers Advisor)
AI can be a useful tool in various aspects of career planning and job searching, including the creation and optimization of CVs, cover letters, application forms, and personal statements.
AI can offer valuable insights, recommendations, and assistance to help you optimize your chances of success in the competitive job market. However, it's essential to use AI tools as aids rather than replacements for human judgment and expertise, ensuring that your personal voice and unique qualities shine through in your job application and career development materials.
Those two paragraphs were created using ChatGPT.
As a qualified Career Guidance & Development practitioner, I agree that AI has both positives and limitations in career planning. It can be a useful source of information for aspects of career planning, including career exploration and generating ideas for personal statements, cover letters and more. However, it’s vital to sense-check its recommendations and be cautious.
So, let’s dive deeper…
How AI can help with career and professional development
Let’s start with career exploration and generating ideas. AI tools like ChatGPT can give you a starting point by introducing you to sources of information and tools to support your career thinking and understanding of the options available to you.
As with every question or task you ask AI to complete, better input equals better output. The clearer you are around your current career stage and what you’re looking for, the better insights you’ll receive.
Below are two examples of using ChatGPT in career exploration by giving an overview and asking specific questions:
Developing “green” career ideas and resources
When asked, “I'm interested in careers that focus on green or ethical matters but not technical roles. I am currently only interested in careers in the UK," ChatGPT suggests various job titles from Sustainability Consultant to Not-for-Profit Fundraiser with a brief outline of what these involve.
ChatGPT encourages looking at job profiles and reaching out to professionals in those areas to find out more (strong advice!) before the student asks a follow-up question about specific entry routes into one of the options presented, after which ChatGPT outlines considerations for this career route and pathway.
Getting Applied Linguistics PhD career ideas and resources
A PhD student is looking to explore career ideas relevant to their subject and research in Applied Linguistics.
Notice how the student gives specific insight into their education background, research and what they’re looking for. ChatGPT then suggests career ideas associated with this area of study. After further probing and questions from the student, ChatGPT offers specific websites and organisations to search for such opportunities.
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How AI is used in recruitment
Many employers use AI in recruitment, and how they’re using it is evolving. For example, AI algorithms are often used to screen CVs (known as Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS), analyse video interviews and score selection or psychometric assessments.
Employers are increasingly aware of candidates use of AI. In a 2024 ISE report, almost half (43%) of employers reported having no problem with candidates using AI at some stages of the process. However, nearly a quarter (23%) of employers reported that generative AI was causing them to redesign their selection process with a further 45% of employers currently investigating their selection process due to generative AI.
Our top tip is to follow employer guidelines about the use of AI in their recruitment process. Check if they have statements on their website, either embedded within the application itself or a disclosure elsewhere.
Remember, AI won’t be able to do a job for you but can be used as an assistant to help. The same theory applies during any career development activity.
AI can't do it all for you
AI tools and virtual assistants can be a useful tool as part of a bigger process, but they can’t do everything and shouldn’t be used in isolation. Generative AI can provide prompts to help you if you’re struggling (eg preparing a CV or cover letter), but that's just a starting point. It’s your responsibility to check, verify, personalise and finish off.
What I’m really talking about are your career management skills. These will help you make informed decisions as well as articulate and evidence your own skills, knowledge and experience, and there’s only so much AI can do in that regard.
Be confident that what you present in a CV, application form interview or beyond is a true representation of what you can offer and congruent with your values and ethos.
Other resources
“Using generative AI in job applications”: Read this Prospects article for further insight into using AI for applying to jobs and optimising your LinkedIn profile
“The ultimate guide on using AI to ace an interview at Monzo”: Read insight from Monzo as an employer on how to use AI in their interviews
Our website: Browse our webpages on CVs, cover letters, application forms, interviews and more to increase your chances of success
Glasgow Careers: Browse part-time jobs, internships, insight days, graduate opportunities and more on our digital platform
Our other careers fairs and events: Connect with employers, explore a range of career opportunities, develop key skills and much more
Note: Our events and services are exclusively for University of Glasgow students and recent graduates (from the last two years). Learn more on our website.