5 Tips and Tricks for Using AI in Your Job Search

Artificial intelligence (AI) changes how you search for jobs, making the process faster and more effective. As companies increasingly use AI to screen resumes and rank candidates, you can also use these tools to boost your job search.

From optimizing your resume to customizing cover letters, AI helps you standard out in a competitive market. It can even assist with interview prep and give you an edge by crafting better responses and practicing key questions. Incorporating AI into your strategy saves time and improves your chances of landing your desired job.

1. Optimize Your Resume for an ATS

Around 90% of large employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to help streamline their hiring process. These programs scan resumes for specific keywords, skills and qualifications that match the job description, ranking candidates based on how well they align with the role. If your resume isn’t optimized for ATS, it could get filtered out before a human sees it, regardless of your qualifications. Ensuring your resume is formatted correctly and includes the right keywords to pass through the system is important.

AI-powered tools can make this easier by analyzing job descriptions and suggesting the best keywords to include in your resume. These AI scanners can also provide feedback on the formatting to ensure it’s ATS-friendly.

For example, you can prompt an AI tool by saying, “Analyze this job description and provide relevant keywords I should add to my resume to improve my chances with ATS systems.” With the proper tweaks, you’ll have a better chance of your resume getting noticed and moving to the next stage of the hiring process.

2. Customize Your Cover Letter

Personalized cover letters are your opportunity to make a strong impression. Unlike generic templates that can feel robotic or irrelevant, a customized letter shows you’ve tried to align your experience with the specific role. It demonstrates your genuine interest in the company and highlights how your skills fit their needs. On the other hand, relying on a generic template can make you seem less engaged or even out of touch with the right requirements, which may hurt your chances of standing out.

AI tools can make tailoring your cover letter easier by analyzing the job description and identifying the essential qualifications you should focus on. For example, you could use a prompt like “Create a tailored cover letter for the following job description, focusing on my qualifications and experience in [specific area].” This way, you’re not just recycling the same cover letter but creating something that speaks to the recruiter.

Note that when using AI in actual communication such as in your cover letter, it’s important to be upfront about any AI use if asked. Most people today want to know up front when someone is using generative AI — for example, one survey showed 68% of respondents believe companies should voluntarily disclose all AI use. This sentiment emphasizes the value of openness on both sides of the hiring equation. If a recruiter asks, it’s important to disclose that you’ve used AI for resume enhancements, which can serve to build trust and show you’re open and honest in your communication.

3. Perform Research on Companies

Knowing a company’s mission and values can help you tailor your application to show you’re a great fit for the role and the company culture. When you understand what the business stands for, you can reflect those values in your resume and cover letter, which makes a strong impression. 

Moreover, discussing this information during your interview is also a great way to stand out. It shows you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in contributing to the company’s goals, helping you build a stronger connection with the interviewer from the start.

AI makes this research easier by gathering and summarizing company information, including mission, values and employee reviews. A simple prompt like “Summarize the key values and culture of [company name] based on online reviews and their website” can give you all the details you need in minutes. This allows you to go into an interview feeling well-prepared and ready to discuss how your values align with theirs, which can leave a lasting impression and set you up for success.

4. Prepare for an Interview

Preparing answers for typical interview questions is one of the best ways to boost your confidence and ensure a smooth experience. You can take this preparation further with AI tools by creating personalized mock interview sessions. A well-crafted AI prompt can provide accurate and relevant responses with just a few inputs. 

This can save you time and help you focus on what matters most — your answers. In addition, it allows you to go into your interview feeling more confident and ready to tackle any question that comes your way.

AI tools can also generate interview questions tailored to the job description you’re applying for and help you refine your responses. For instance, you could use a prompt like “Generate a list of common interview questions based on this job description and suggest ideal responses for my background in [specific industry].” 

This method will get you relevant questions and feedback that can help you polish your answers and ensure they resonate with the hiring manager. With the right prep, you’ll feel more in control and ready to impress.

5. Craft Communication with Recruiters

Clear, personalized communication is crucial to standing out when reaching out to hiring managers. A targeted approach is critical since most recruiters manage over 50 candidates at any given time. Crafting a message showing you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the specific role can set you apart from candidates relying on generic outreach. Personalized communication demonstrates your professionalism and makes it easier for recruiters to see why you’re a good fit for the job.

AI can help you draft or refine your email, ensuring they are professional, concise and relevant to the role. A targeted message can highlight your qualifications in a way that resonates with busy recruiters, increasing your chances of getting noticed. 

You can use an AI prompt like “Write a professional and concise message to a recruiter expressing interest in [specific job role]” to quickly generate a polished message. This approach saves time while maintaining the personalized touch recruiters appreciate, which gives you an edge in hiring.

Boost Your Job Search with AI Tools

Incorporating AI into your job search can streamline the process and give you a competitive edge by helping you tailor resumes, cover letters and interview prep more effectively. Likewise, it can boost your chances of landing the right role and make a lasting impression on recruiters.

Written by Content Contributor: 

Eleanor Hecks is a business writer and researcher with a passion for bringing awareness to neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace. You can find her work as Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine or as a staff writer at sites such as HR.com and Clutch.co.