Using AI for Effective and Ethical Job Search
What is Ethical AI Usage?
Using AI tools responsibly, transparently, and fairly during your job search.
Why It Matters
Employers value honesty and integrity, and they can detect AI-generated content. Using AI ethically builds trust and showcases your real abilities.
Uses of AI
What To Do:
- Protect Your Privacy. When uploading your resume, always remove personal details unless you are using a private version, such as LPC's Hiration subscription that does not send your data to train LLM's.
- Proofread. AI can help you identify grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Be sure to read over the resume yourself, as well.
- Brainstorm. Get ideas for adding wording and details to your bullet points or summary. Use AI to help you identify transferable skills from coursework, internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or campus involvement.
- Get formatting guidance. Ask AI for examples of strong resume structures for your industry or ask it to help you put your resume in a format that is friendly for Applicant Tracking Systems.
- Tailor your resume. AI can help you identify relevant keywords from job descriptions to tailor your resume. Use Hiration's Resume Tailoring feature, or if you are using another private AI application, upload the job description and ask AI for the key words and qualifications that you could incorporate into your resume.
What Not To Do
- Don't lie about your experience or skills. Never use AI to invent internships, certifications, job titles, or technical skills you do not have.
- Don't exaggerate responsibilities or results. AI may suggest impressive metrics or results. Do not include numbers or achievements that are not accurate.
- Don't submit AI-generated content without review. Always edit and personalize AI suggestions. Employers can detect generic, overused, or overly polished language.
- Don't copy templates word-for-word. Your resume should reflect your authentic voice and experiences.
What To Do
- Protect Your Privacy. When uploading your own content, always remove personal details unless you are using a private version, such as LPC's Hiration subscription that does not send your data to train LLM's.
- Incorporate key words. You can ask AI to help align your experiences with the specific qualifications listed in the job description.
- Strengthen transitions and flow. Use AI to improve organization and readability.
- Proofread. AI can help you identify grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. Be sure to read over the cover letter yourself, as well.
What Not to Do
- Don't submit generic, unedited drafts. Recruiters quickly recognize vague, AI-generated letters that lack personalized details. Also, if your cover letter sounds very different from how you communicate in interviews, it may raise concerns.
- Don't misrepresent your qualifications, interest, or knowledge. Do not pretend to be familiar with a product unless you genuinely understand it. Do not mention qualifications or knowledge that you do not have. You could be asked about them in your interview.
What To Do
- Generate Possible Interview Questions to Practice. Upload the job description and ask AI to give you the top 10 interview questions that you might be asked. Practice answering these questions.
- Research the Company. AI can summarize company information to help you prepare thoughtful questions.
- Practice for Recorded Interviews. Some companies require job seekers to submit recorded answers to interview questions rather than talking with a real person. LPC's Hiration tool can help you prepare by using its video software to record you and provide realtime feedback.
What Not To Do
- Don't use AI to help you answer questions during your interview. You should never use AI on a phone or computer during your actual interview. Your answers should always be authentic and come directly from you. Using AI during an interview could violate company policy.
- Don't memorize scripted answers word-for-word. Over-rehearsed, robotic responses can cause interviewers to question your integrity.
- Don't provide technical answers you do not understand. If AI helps you prepare a response to a question in advance, make sure that you fully understand it before using it.
- Don't let AI complete assessments for you. Asking AI to complete an assessment is dishonest and could jeopardize your ability to get hired. If could also be cause for dismissal if you are hired.
AI Prompts
UC Berkeley's Career Engagement Office provides helpful AI prompts for career exploration and job search.
Transparency
If asked, be honest about using AI as a tool, not as a replacement for your work.
Check Your Sources
Make sure that AI-generated content does not include plagiarism or confidential information. Also, check the accuracy of AI-generated content by reviewing the sources that were used to create it.
Watch for Potential Bias
Generative AI is trained by the data that it is given. It can provide biased content if the data that it receives is inaccurate or not from diverse sources.
Final Takeaways
AI is a helpful assistant—not a substitute for your skills, judgment, or integrity.
*NOTE: This page was created with the help of AI, as well as knowledge from the Career Center.