Artificial Intelligence, commonly called AI, has become part of many people’s job search experience, even if they aren’t leveraging it themselves. That’s because many employers use AI tools to screen applications before they even get to a human being. In some cases, companies conduct their first round of interviews using an AI assistant online or over the phone. Some employers also use AI to help market their open positions.

Just as AI can save time and boost efficiency for employers, job seekers can leverage AI to enhance their job search.

What does this mean for you? It means knowing how to use AI may give you an advantage in the hiring process. But some key precautions are important to remember: make sure you don’t share information you don’t want stored and used by AI in the future, use AI to enhance, not replace, your personal voice and ALWAYS verify what AI creates for you is accurate.

Here are three of the many ways AI can help you in your job search:

1. Use AI to help refine your resume
   1. It’s best to start with a “master” resume that contains all your pertinent skills, experience, education and other information.  You can create and store up to five resume files in My Resume Center on CareerForce.MN.gov. Then you can use AI to refine your draft resume. For example, put your summary statement into your AI tool of choice and ask it to refine your summary statement for a particular position. Just make sure whatever you end up using accurately reflects your actual skills and experience.
   2. Using your “master” resume as a base, create targeted resumes for specific positions by asking AI to extract keywords from job postings and determine how the skills and experience on your resume match them.
   3. You can even ask AI to identify gaps in your resume for particular positions and research ways to fill those gaps without overstating your skills and experience.
2. Utilize AI tools to practice interviewing for jobs
   1. Simulate interviews with the right prompts for the position you are looking for, for example: “What are ten common interview questions for a customer service role (or whatever kind of role you are looking for)?”  Then write answers to those questions and ask AI to analyze your interview responses.
   2. Request STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method behavioral questions and prepare responses to those questions.
   3. Use an AI chat tool to practice interviewing. One such tool, Gemini Live, can be found along with other job interview tips at https://grow.google/certificates/interview-warmup/. Just be cautious about what you are sharing with AI and stop if you feel uncomfortable.
3. Let AI polish your cover letter
   1. Use your AI tool of choice to generate a draft, then personalize the letter, especially the intro and closing.
   2. Ask AI to adjust tone (e.g., professional, confident) of a cover letter you have drafted.
   3. Review any AI-assisted cover letter closely to ensure your voice comes through and that it accurately reflects your skills and experience.

With the proper precautions, you can safely and effectively use AI to enhance your job search. Want some help? Check out the following resources:

• Download this tip sheet for job seekers who want to use AI in their job search
• Attend a free workshop for job seekers about using AI in their job search
• Sign up for a one-on-one appointment with staff at a CareerForce location near you