By Sam Ast, Re-Entry Workforce Development Specialist, Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas
There are plenty of ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) in your career search. This post will discuss how you can use it to prepare for interviews. If you are interested in learning more about the ways this newer technology can help you be your best self and land your dream job, keep reading.
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First, it’s important to acknowledge that AI is not some magic tool that works to your benefit at all times or a genie that can grant your wishes. That’s true for most technology. For instance, your personal computer or phone cannot run software that sews clothing guaranteed to help you land your dream job. Nor can AI dictate the exact answers that hiring managers want to hear from their top applicants. However, short of attending the interview in your place, there remain many things AI can do to help you get ready for your conversations with employers.
Giving AI Your History
One good way to start is to use AI to organize your past work history and talents. Customizing your AI to your own personal history will produce creative responses and give you detailed options for how to answer likely questions in a way that incorporates your professional strengths and experiences.
Think of AI as a guide or starting point, rather than a script to be followed precisely. To generate such content, consider using programs like ChatGPT to summarize lengthy job descriptions, research relevant company information and explore a variety of ways to effectively describe your skills and accomplishments.
AI should be used as an extension of your abilities, not as a replacement. This means that your voice and personality should remain at the forefront. AI can do many things, but computer-generated content cannot replace your unique identity and voice. Successful implementation of AI technology for career purposes has to be a product of combining both human and automated elements.
AI For Advice
AI has a wealth of knowledge gained from various sources. While this gives you a lot of information to pull from, it also means that the information you receive must always be vetted. That said, there is no shame in getting advice about what to wear, how to conduct yourself at interviews or how to prepare for teleconferencing during remote conversations.
Once again, consider using artificial intelligence as an enhancement, not a crutch. AI can do many things, but learning and applying soft skills in your interactions with real people cannot be quickly taught or carried out by a machine. You need to know how to make good eye contact, practice active listening, show attentiveness, have a good handshake, maintain your nerves and beneficially express your value. AI can give you tips for these things, but it can’t learn the skill for you.
Using AI Post-Interview
AI can be helpful even after the interviews are over. After all, looking for work is work and you might need support to keep track of what you need to do next.
Figuring out when and where your next paycheck will come from or what your career expectations and goals are in the long term is difficult. So, too, is applying for innumerable positions and attending countless interviews. Remember, AI can be a tool for simplification or increased efficiency. It can act as an organizer to keep track of applications you’ve sent in, trace interview progress or edit the thank-you notes you send to employers to further express interest and appreciation. All of this can help you nail down a job and get that offer letter more quickly.
Don’t Forget About In-Person Career Support at Goodwill
If you would like additional guidance during your job search or have questions about how to advance your career, look no further than the professionals across the country who staff Goodwill’s career centers.
Goodwill personnel can help you craft your résumé, find employment and provide essential resources and tailored support. This aid can help people overcome common challenges to finding and maintaining employment.
Our career navigators are committed to making dreams come true by offering career guidance, skills certification, application help, continuing education, interview preparation and financial assistance that can help enable you throughout your journey to find work. Find a career center near you for support.
You can earn a certificate to show employers your foundational AI knowledge with the Google AI Essentials online course. Goodwill is offering it at no cost to you.
