Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful and rapidly evolving technology that can support you in many aspects of your career journey. It’s important to understand both the benefits and limitations of AI so you can use it effectively, ethically, and safely. Here are some best practice tips for leveraging AI for your career success:
- Career Exploration: Use AI to gather industry overviews and role descriptions or explore potential career paths. Verify findings through trusted sources like professional associations, mentors, or career coaches.
- Résumé & Cover Letter: AI can help you brainstorm strong phrasing, tailor content to job descriptions, and catch errors, but always review and personalize your documents to reflect your authentic voice and experience.
- Networking: Use AI to help you draft outreach messages on LinkedIn or refine how you introduce yourself to professionals, but make sure to customize your communications to build genuine, human connections.
- Interview Preparation: AI can provide sample interview questions and feedback on your answers, but make sure your responses are personalized and relevant to the opportunity you’re pursuing.
- Internship & Job Search: Let AI help organize your search, identify job leads, or research employers. Always critically assess opportunities and avoid sharing personal data with unverified tools.
If you have questions about using AI in your career journey or need support, a career coach can help. Scheduling an appointment with a coach can be done through 12twenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are quick answers to the most common questions we get about using AI for career success. For further questions about our responses or any other questions, schedule an appointment with a career coach.
Generative AI can be used strategically to help you develop and/or enhance your application materials but should not be used to create your materials for you. Some employers use software to scan application materials for possible AI use, but this practice is not yet universal or consistent.
If you are applying for a position where AI knowledge and skills may be of interest to the employer, you should include them. They can be listed in the descriptions of your experiences and/or in your skills section.
Some employers do use AI in the hiring process, in application review, interviewing, or both. The use of AI in these stages is not yet universal or consistent, so it’s best to do some research about the employer you are interested in to find out how they specifically use AI.
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software program that does exactly that, tracks applicants throughout the hiring process. AI can be used to analyze, evaluate, and make predictions about applicants. Some employers use just one of these, others use both, and others use neither. It’s best to do some research about the employer you are interested in to find out what they use.
