Use AI in My Career Search

Best Practices:

• Use AI to brainstorm strong action verbs or industry-specific keywords. 
• Generate draft bullet points that you then revise. 
• Ask AI to review content for clarity, grammar, or tone. 
• Use AI to analyze job descriptions and help tailor your resume. 
• Avoid using Canva templates for resumes unless you verify they are ATS-friendly. 
• You can upload your existing resume and a job description into AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to compare content, identify missing keywords, and tailor your materials more effectively. This helps ensure your resume aligns with what the employer is seeking. 
• Upload the job description into AI tools to extract relevant keywords and phrases that align with your skills and experience. 

When Not to use AI:

• Avoid having AI write the entire resume; it often sounds generic or inaccurate. 
• Don’t rely on AI for formatting; many platforms use elements that ATS can’t read. 

Sample Prompts:

• “Give me 5 resume bullet points for a biology research assistant role that include data analysis.” 
• “What keywords should I include in a resume for a social work internship based on this job description? [paste job description]” 

Check out our resume guide for more sample AI prompts.  

Best Practices:

• Use AI to help structure academic accomplishments. 
• Ask for suggestions on how to phrase teaching, research, or publication experience. 
• Check clarity and grammar for each section. 
• Use AI to convert long paragraphs into bullet points. 
• Keep your formatting clean—use Word or Google Docs. 

When Not to use AI:

• Don’t rely on AI to accurately reflect nuanced academic contributions. 
• Always fact-check and review for relevance and accuracy. 

Sample Prompts:

• “Help me write a CV section for a teaching assistant in a psychology department.” 
• “How can I describe my research on climate change for an academic CV?” 

Find more information on what to include in your CV.  

Best Practices:

• Use AI to practice common interview questions. 
• Get feedback on your sample responses. 
• Generate company-specific questions to ask. 
• Use it to understand role expectations. 
• Pair with Big Interview for guided practice. 

When Not to use AI:

• Don’t memorize AI-generated answers; use them for ideas. 
• Avoid relying solely on AI—human mock interviews are crucial. 

Sample Prompts:

• “Give me 5 behavioral interview questions for a marketing role with sample answers.” 
• “What questions should I ask in an interview with a public health nonprofit?” 

See our full Interviewing Guide including AI tips

Best Practices:

• Use AI to create outreach messages for LinkedIn or email. 
• Ask for help customizing your resume to job listings. 
• Use it to identify potential keywords and roles you might have missed. 
• Generate summaries of complex job descriptions. 
• Brainstorm ways to introduce yourself professionally. 
• Generate job boards and industries that are hiring in your area of expertise. 

When Not to use AI:

• Don’t blindly trust all networking advice—make sure it fits your goals. 
• Be cautious of AI-generated messages sounding too robotic. 

Sample Prompts:

• “Write a LinkedIn message introducing myself to a recruiter for an entry-level policy job.” 
• “Summarize this job description in plain language: [paste job description]” 

Online Search Engine Tips & Job Search Platforms 

Best Practices:

• Be transparent when using AI—don’t misrepresent content as solely your own. 
• Use AI as a brainstorming partner, not a replacement for critical thinking. 
• Cross-check any data or facts it provides. 
• Avoid inputting private information into open AI tools. 
• Remember that AI can be biased—always review through your own lens. 

When Not to use AI:

• Never input confidential or identifying data. 
• Don’t let it replace personal judgment, creativity, or effort. 

Sample Prompts:

• “What are ethical considerations when using AI for career development?” 
• “What are the risks of using AI-generated resumes in job applications?”