ChatGPT and other AI services can be great tools to utilize as you start your career journey. It is important to think of these programs as a tool to enhance the development of materials and content, and not a replacement. AI does not provide the expertise and holistic, individualized approach that career counseling does. We encourage you to use our coaching appointments and online resources to get well-rounded recommendations and support. Still, there are many ways to productively use these programs, including in your job search, writing a cover letter or resume, or preparing for an interview.
Job Search
If you are a student who might not be sure what career path you are interested in, this is a great opportunity to find out about options you may not have been aware of. ChatGPT can help spark career interests and describe specific job roles of all different industries. Remember to be specific in your question and add information pertaining to your degree, coursework, previous experience, and more.
| Cautions and Considerations | Best Practices |
| Lack of Diversity in Content: Results are often based on patterns of other people’s submissions, so make sure to hit the “Regenerate Response” to see different results, or ask your question in another way. | Continue to do your own research on career paths that might be suggested to you through ChatGPT. Consider reaching out to a professional – especially an alum – in that field on LinkedIn to learn more about their day to day duties and responsibilities. |
| Limited Capacity: ChatGPT’s data is not currently up to date, and data is from 2021 or earlier. | Take advantage of your personal network, Handshake, and other job search engines to look for current job openings. |
Center for Career Development Resources
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss your job search.
- Revisit all links before publishing.
- Connect with UConn alumni via LinkedIn or HuskyLink to gain insight about potential career paths.
- View our Job Market Insights for current employment data.
Sample Prompts:
- What can I do with a Psychology degree [insert your academic disciplines of interest]?
- I have interests in the environment and politics [insert your own interests]. What are five career paths that match my interests?
- Based on my experiences found in my resume, what are ten career fields I may want to explore? [insert resume]
- What are 10 US-based companies in ed tech [insert your own fields of interest]?
Cover Letters
Writing a cover letter can be a challenging and time-consuming task, and AI tools, like ChatGPT, can facilitate the process. These tools save you time by suggesting ways to customize your content to showcase your qualifications and skills. Keep in mind that your cover letter is an opportunity to present yourself authentically to potential employers, which AI cannot do for you.
| Cautions and Considerations | Best Practices |
| Lack of Authenticity: AI is intuitive, but it cannot replicate your unique voice and personality. Additionally, do not assume that the content derived from ChatGPT is completely original. | Start with your own words and use ChatGPT as a tool to enhance your writing. Adjust AI-generated language to make it consistent with your writing style. Think about the tone you want the cover letter to convey. |
| Inconsistencies: AI tools are not perfect, and come with the risk of errors. | Proofread your cover letter to ensure accuracy, and consider asking someone else (like a Career Coach) to look it over as well. Assess the output for appropriate word choice and grammar, and verify important details. |
| Limited Contextual Understanding: The results you get from ChatGPT may not fully or properly address the nuances of your experience and skills, and how these relate to the opportunity in which you are interested. | Do your research on the role and the organization to which you are applying. Tailor your cover letter by referencing specific aspects of the job. For instance, address the letter by name to the position’s supervisor or hiring manager. Discuss how the organization’s mission or values align with your own. |
Center for Career Development Resources:
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss your cover letter.
- Review the Resume and Cover Letter Guide.
- View the Career on Demand cover letter videos.
Sample Prompts:
- Customize this cover letter [insert your draft] for this job description. [insert text]
- Turn this experience on my resume [insert text] into a paragraph for a cover letter.
Résumés
Your resume is one of the most powerful tools in your job or internship search. It summarizes your experience, draws attention to your accomplishments, and highlights your skills and strengths. AI tools can be used to enhance the content of your resume, but there are some limitations to be aware of.
| Cautions and Considerations | Best Practices |
| Privacy & Confidentiality Concerns: AI tools, including ChatGPT, store user data. Who has access to your data, and how is it used? | Avoid putting any personal or sensitive information into the platform. Familiarize yourself with the tool’s terms of use to understand any risks associated with sharing your data. |
| Lack of Personalization: ChatGPT may offer suggestions that make your resume sound generic or overly-dependent on keywords. | The highest quality input will get the best output. Use specific examples to illustrate your skills and achievements when writing your resume. Don’t blindly accept the results you get from ChatGPT. Make sure your resume reflects the unique qualities that make you stand out as a candidate. |
| Formatting Limitations: AI can only enhance content. You still need to create a proper format for your resume. | Resume formatting can differ by degree or industry. Utilize resume resources from the Center for Career Development to guide your formatting. |
Center for Career Development Resources:
- Schedule a resume critique.
- Review the Resume and Cover Letter Guide.
- View the Career on Demand resume videos.
- Review the Resume Sample Binder for formatting guidelines.
Sample Prompts:
- Rewrite this experience to be more tailored to this job description. [insert resume text & job description]
- Make the bullet point statements in this section of my resume more action-oriented. [insert text]
- Rewrite this section of my resume to highlight my leadership skills. [insert text]
- Are there specific keywords I should include in my resume to enhance my resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) for this job? [insert job description]
Interview Preparation
AI can be an effective tool to help you prepare and feel confident for an interview. You can use AI to learn the types of questions you may be asked in an interview, for objective feedback on your interview responses, or for ideas of questions you might ask the interviewer. Be mindful, though, that there are some practical and ethical concerns to think about.
| Cautions and Considerations | Best Practices |
| Lack of Human Interaction: Simulating an interview through AI is different from interacting with real people. AI tools cannot fully prepare you for the interpersonal nature of interviewing. | Utilize proper etiquette and be aware of your body language and demeanor during the interview. Remember that the interview is an opportunity for you to develop rapport with the employer. Make an effort to be polite and personable. |
| Bias: The data inputted by users a practice interview. into AI tools may contain biases, which become embedded in the feedback these tools provide. | Monitor the output generated from the platform to ensure that it aligns with your perspective and values. |
Center for Career Development Resources:
- Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach to discuss interview preparation.
- Review the Interviewing Guidebook.
- Practice your skills with Big Interview.
- Set up Bias: The data inputted by users a practice interview.
Sample Prompts:
- Provide five interview questions based on this job description [insert description].
- How would you make this interview response sound more confident? [insert your prepared response]
- What are five questions I should ask at an interview to learn about the company’s culture?
Employers
Employers also use AI on a daily basis, so be aware during the job search or application process. 46% are already using ChatGPT to complete work tasks. More telling, upwards of 80% say ChatGPT is a “legitimate, beneficial work tool” that will be a regular part of their workday in the future. Not only are employers using AI for daily tasks, but for job application trackers. AI will not take over our jobs, but many companies will use AI in some parts of their operations or hiring process. As AI improves quickly, more companies will use it to solve problems, save time, and gain a competitive advantage over competition.
