How to use Gemini, ChatGPT, and other LLMs to find a job

On this week’s episode of the From Dorms to Desks Podcast, our cohosts dive into a topic that didn’t exist just a few years ago: how artificial intelligence tools, such as Gemini and ChatGPT, are ushering in an entirely new economic era, fundamentally transforming the path from college to the professional workforce. 

This shift is already evident across various sectors, from technology and finance to media and legal professions. Notably, for the first time, unemployment among recent graduates has exceeded the overall jobless rate, a phenomenon some experts partially attribute to AI’s growing influence on entry-level positions, with signs that these roles are being displaced at higher rates than more senior ones. This challenging environment is further compounded by the long-term effects of the pandemic, which limited traditional networking opportunities and the cultivation of essential social skills.

These powerful AI tools can serve as invaluable assistants throughout the job search process, offering significant support to job seekers. They can effectively help in crafting professional resumes and cover letters, providing suggestions for keywords, formatting, and overall structure. AI can also be leveraged for comprehensive interview preparation, generating common interview questions, offering guidance on how to respond, and providing insights into company culture. Furthermore, AI platforms can facilitate career exploration by recommending potential career paths based on a user’s skills, interests, and values, and by supplying crucial information on job outlook, salary expectations, and educational requirements. Advanced AI applications can even streamline the application process by auto applying to numerous jobs and tailoring resumes for each specific role, or by helping to interpret complex job postings and develop personalized search strategies.

However, the effective use of AI necessitates a commitment to responsible practices. Recruiters are becoming increasingly adept at identifying AI-generated language in application materials, making over-reliance on these tools counterproductive. It is crucial for job seekers to understand that AI should primarily act as a source of inspiration and a tool for refinement, rather than a “one-stop shop” for their applications. A critical caution for all users is to never share personal information on AI platforms, ensuring the protection of private data. Concerns also extend to career services staff, who are grappling with the ethical implications and the rapid pace of AI development, particularly regarding student data privacy.

As AI continues to automate certain analytical and technical tasks, there will be an intensified focus on candidates’ soft skills. Experts emphasize the growing importance of human attributes like problem solving, communication, curiosity, compassion, creativity, and courage. The emphasis in hiring is shifting away from mere academic pedigree towards these invaluable interpersonal and cognitive abilities. New graduates are encouraged to intentionally cultivate these skills, actively seeking opportunities to practice areas they find challenging, such as public speaking or group discussions. Demonstrating these advanced social skills directly on a resume can significantly enhance a candidate’s appeal to recruiters, as human interaction and connection remain vital in the workplace.

To successfully navigate this evolving job market, new college graduates are advised to become fluent in AI tools by engaging with them actively, seeking diverse perspectives, and rigorously validating any AI-generated content. Beyond skill development, it is equally important to choose employers wisely, prioritizing companies that are integrating AI responsibly and investing in the growth and development of their workforce, rather than those solely focused on human replacement. Prospective employees should ask insightful questions during interviews about a company’s investment in its employees, clear career progression paths, and opportunities for skill development. Career services offices at universities are actively adapting to this new reality, forming working groups to stay informed on AI developments and providing students with toolkits and best practices for ethical and effective AI use in their career journeys.