For years, organizations have used AI to sift through applications (formerly called automated tacking systems [ATS]). Potential interviewees are selected before a human reviews their materials. The use of AI is increasing not only by organizations but also by applicants. The increased ability to use AI to quickly tailor resumes results in  many more applications being submitted, overwhelming employers.*

Changes organizations are considering or making to the application process

  • To reduce the number of applications, job openings may only be posted for 48 hours. 
  • Possible increased usage of position-related questions to answer in the application.
  • Potential increase in job-specific employment testing in hiring. It could be more likely you will be asked in an interview how to solve a problem and to give details about the steps.
  • Remote interviews are recorded to tell if the applicant is looking off screen for answers before responding. 
  • Applicants may be asked to record themselves answering questions and submit it. 

  • Employers suspect the use of AI if the applicant’s answers are the same as others’. 

    Risks

    • Exacerbating bias through algorithms. However, it could also be considered unbiased if it focuses only on skills and experience. 
    • Quality candidates are overlooked. Additionally, it “could overlook important qualities like creativity, empathy, and interpersonal skills, which can be difficult to measure through automated screening,” according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Actions to take

  • Get a human involved. Always contact an alum at the organization before applying, when possible. 
  • Network for the same reason.
  • Include keywords on resumes.
  • Incorporate simple formatting.
  • See “Getting Your Resume Past an AI Filter,” in the SPPA Career Services Manual.

Ways AI can help you

Learn what skills you need for your dream job

Upload your resume and a job description. 
Sample prompt:

  • You are an experienced and respected recruiter giving professional advice. 
  • Help me determine if I am a good fit for a specific job. I’ll provided my resume and the job description. Please review me as a candidate for a potential match. Consider my fit from several different angles.
  • Begin by giving a series of bulleted lists, one for strengths and another for required areas needed improvement. Each bullet should provide a justification or reason. Then provide me a summary and finally what your concise decision might be (select from "Proceed, High Confidence," "Proceed, Moderate Confidence," or "Politely Decline).
  • Finally, recommend some skills or tips I can pursue if I want to better prepare myself for the position in question.

Prompts if applying for a job?

  • "Draft a cover letter specific to this opportunity." 
    • Why is this a problem?
      • Consider the ethics of submitting a cover letter that wasn’t written by you. 
      • Employers consider the cover letter a sample of your communication skills. 
      • There’s the potential letter will be too general, as well as include AI errors and misunderstandings.
      • Employers are identifying letters written by AI when the contents sound the same as those from other applicants.  
    • Best practices
      • AI can be used as a tool to check the letter you’ve written against the job advertisement. See "Cover Letters" for writing guidance.
      • It can also be used to check for grammatical errors and misspellings. 
      • Utilize the SPPA career services coordinator for personalized feedback. 
  • "Produce three questions I could ask at the interview." 
    • Not a good idea.
      These may be very similar to what other applicants ask the employer if they used AI. 

Big Interview

Find companies that match your interests

  • Keep in mind the SPPA database of potential employers already includes 1000+ organizations that have hired our students and/or offer openings directly related to our degrees (link at top of Jobs and Internships page).
  • SPPA job and internship postings are primarily pulled from the "potential employers" list. Not all openings appear on sites like Indeed or Simply Hired. Applying to openings from our lists has the potential to reduce your competition. 

 

*AI is evolving quickly. This information and the recommendations are current as of fall 2024.

Sources:
Bindley, Katherine. “Bosses Are Drowning In AI-Buffed Resumes.” Wall Street Journal, 09/05/24.

Ellis, Lindsay. “AI Helps Job Hunters Beat Employers at their Own Games.” Wall Street Journal, 05/11/24.

Fioriglio , Tony. “ChatGPT Answers Questions About its Role in Recruiting and Hiring.” National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 04/03/23.

Mowreader, Ashley. “Career Services Offices Teach Students to Use AI.” Inside Higher Ed, 08/09/24.