Applying for Jobs and AI

ChatGPT is an advanced text-processing tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate texts. The model has been trained on millions of texts and can answer a wide range of questions. However, keep in mind that ChatGPT:

• Does not always provide correct answers.
• Can be biased due to the data it was trained on.
• Will always provide a response, even when uncertain about the information.

ChatGPT uses deep learning and natural language processing (NLP). It predicts which word is most likely to follow based on the previous text. This enables it to increasingly recognise patterns and provide relevant answers. However, it remains important to critically assess the responses generated.

• The better your ‘prompt’ (your question/instruction), the better the response.
  An unclear or vague question will lead to less useful answers (rubbish in = rubbish out).
   
• Use ChatGPT as if it were an intern.
  AI can do a lot, but it needs supervision. Always check if the answers are correct and adjust them to your own style.
   
• Never share personal or sensitive information.
  ChatGPT does not store data, but caution is always advised.
   
• Be polite in your chat.
  AI can be sensitive to emotional manipulation and may respond unpredictably.

To get the best responses from ChatGPT, you can use the BRAT method:

• Basis: Provide context or background information about your question.
• Role: Specify the role you want ChatGPT to take on (e.g., recruiter, career advisor).
• Action: Describe the specific task you want ChatGPT to perform.
• Terms: Set guidelines for the output to ensure the result is practical and useful. This way, your answer will have the right VIBE:
• Visual: What format should the output take? (e.g., table, email, infographic)
• Idiom: What tone and style should the text have? (e.g., formal, accessible, creative)
• Bulk: How long should the answer be? (short and concise or detailed?)
• Effect: What should the impact be? (e.g., to persuade, inspire, inform)

Example prompt:
"I would like to assess whether I am suited for a role as a policy officer in education. Act as the head of a university policy department. Identify which skills are important for your team members. Provide the five most important skills as keywords, and briefly explain your choices in no more than 20 words per skill."

Would you like to improve your application skills? ChatGPT can assist you in several ways. Here are some examples of how to use it:

1. Finding Job Vacancies

• Based on your CV, education, and interests, ChatGPT can help you find suitable vacancies. Provide clear instructions and ask the AI to suggest roles that fit your profile.

Example prompt:
"Analyse my CV based on five key points. Act as an experienced career coach. Provide me with five suitable job titles and job descriptions that align with my background and ambitions. Keep the answers brief (max. 15 words per point). Be clear and professional."

Important: Never upload your full CV as an attachment because it contains personal information (email address, phone number, etc.). Instead, you can copy and paste the rest of your CV into ChatGPT.

2. Creating a Strong Personal Profile

• Use ChatGPT to write a powerful LinkedIn profile. First, ask ChatGPT to pose 15 targeted questions about your experience, skills, and ambitions, and answer them. Then, ask it to write your profile based on your responses. This way, the generated profile will truly reflect who you are.

Example prompt:
"I would like you to write a personal LinkedIn profile for me. Act as an excellent career coach. First, ask me 15 questions to better understand who I am as a person, as an employee, and what my (work-related) passions, interests, and motivations are, as well as my tone of voice. After receiving the answers, first thank me, and then ask: ‘Thank you! Could you now please write a statement of no more than 60 words?’"

3. Presenting Your Experience

• Optimise how you present your experience on your CV.

Example prompt:
"I want to optimise my CV to apply for the following vacancy. You are a critical career advisor. Read through each of my experiences listed on my CV. Rewrite them into five bullet points that highlight my professionalism. Use as many keywords from the vacancy as possible."
Share the text or a link to the vacancy with your request.

4. Practising Interview Questions

• Prepare for job interviews by generating unique and challenging questions. Here are some example prompts:
  
  Example prompts:

1. "I am looking for a suitable candidate for this vacancy. Act as a recruiter or [xyz]. I want to ask excellent and unique selection questions about the candidate’s expertise. Analyse the job description I will share with you and give me 5 truly unique questions – avoid standard questions – with a maximum of 15 words per question."

2. "I am looking for a suitable candidate for this vacancy. Act as a recruiter or [xyz]. I want to ask excellent and unique selection questions about whether the candidate fits our culture. Analyse the job description [or other text from the website]."

3. "I am applying for this vacancy. Act as a recruiter or [xyz]. I want to make a competent impression as an applicant and ask questions that will create a fantastic impression for the vacancy I am sharing with you. Which question from my area of expertise will make a good impression? Give me 4 questions with a maximum of 15 words per question."

5. Improving Your Answers

• Practice your answers with ChatGPT and have the model provide feedback on your STARR responses.

Example prompts:
1. "I am applying for this vacancy. Act as the best applicant. I want to make a competent impression, so I’ll give this STARR answer to question [xyz] for the vacancy I am sharing with you. Does it make a good impression? Provide feedback in a maximum of 15 words, including at least 2 areas for improvement."

2. "I am applying for this vacancy. Act as a recruiter or [xyz]. I want to make an outstanding impression as an applicant, so I’ll give this STARR answer to question [xyz] for the vacancy I am sharing with you. How can I improve my answer to make a strong impression, in a maximum of 15 words per response?"

ChatGPT is a valuable addition to your job application preparation, but your critical eye and personal editing will always remain important.
What can ChatGPT do well?

• Suggest creative, out-of-the-box ideas
• Generate all possible interview questions
• Quickly analyse job descriptions

What should you do yourself?

• Think critically about the quality of the answers
• Adapt the answers to your personal style
• Add human nuances

With the right strategy, you can use ChatGPT as a smart sparring partner, helping you enter your job application with confidence!