Guidance! | You and AI, Job Hunting

Spend a few minutes on LinkedIn and you'll inevitably find someone ranting about how AI is ruining the job market. And, in some ways, it is. AI is taking over a lot of entry-level jobs. Some companies are using it in their hiring process to interview (ew!). Some candidates are using it to answer in live interviews (also ew!). And, of course, people are using it to write their cover letters and resumes.

AI is everywhere in the job search right now… all promising to save you time and make your materials “perfect.” And yes, they can help. But use it the wrong way and it has the opposite effect. Your applications sound like they were written by a robot—because, well, they were. And you're not standing out to anyone.

Here’s the thing: recruiters and hiring managers can tell when something’s been AI-washed. When every candidate's summary starts with “results-driven professional” and ends with “seeking to leverage skills in a dynamic environment,” you can practically hear the beige.

If you’re using AI in your job search (and honestly, I think you should), here’s how to keep the you in the process:

1. Treat AI like an intern, not a ghostwriter.​
Give it the raw material: your actual accomplishments, numbers, and context. And then let it help you organize or polish your job application assets.

But always do the final edit yourself.

AI can draft, but only you can stop forest fires make it human.

2. Fact-check everything.​
I'll be honest, in this last job hunt, I moved way too fast with AI. And in the job applications where I didn't take the time to review and make the final edits, I found myself in interviews where I got questions related to accomplishments I didn't do. 🤦‍♀️ I wasn't trying to lie, but dang that AI wanted to paint me in the best light.

A fancy sentence isn’t worth the stress of defending fiction in an interview. Precision is what builds confidence later.

3. Make your summary showcase you, not be a press release.​
AI tends to sand off personality. Bring it back. Write your summary as if you were telling a friend why you love the kind of work you do and what you've been able to accomplish. Then use AI to smooth the grammar, not rewrite the vibe.

4. Use AI for reflection, not self-erasure.​
One of the smartest ways to use AI is to compare your experience to a job ad. Paste the posting and your resume into a chat tool and ask:

• How well do I match this job ad?
• If you were the hiring manager for this job, what would you think of my resume? What questions would you have for me?
• How can I rephrase my experience using their language without lying?

In a competitive job market, the more you align with the job ad, the better your chances. (Yes, in other markets I have recommended applying if you meet 60% of the bullets, but when the job market is flooded with layoffs like now, it's best to apply to jobs where you meet the majority of the ad.)

5. Translate, don’t inflate.​
If you’re changing industries, especially from education, healthcare, or nonprofits, AI can help brainstorm phrasing and determine KPIs of the industry you're moving into. But you’re the one who knows what your past experience felt like. Translate your experience into corporate language, yes, but keep your integrity. The goal isn’t to hide your history behind professional jargon. It's to sound like yourself while translating your transferrable skills for the recruiter/hiring manager.

AI can be an incredible tool, especially when your brain’s tired and your confidence is low. But it can’t replace your lived experience, your empathy, or your personality. Remember, humans hire humans. So use the tools and be human.

Is your resume one recruiters can’t ignore? Showcase your transferrable skills in 5 easy lessons. Life-time access and choose your own pricing ($12 min) Enroll now!

​

Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205