As artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how businesses recruit and select talent, job seekers must also adapt to this new reality. This week, we shift the focus from how companies and HR managers can lead the process to how job seekers can use AI strategically to enhance their success in the job application process while maintaining authenticity, integrity, and self-awareness.
The Research
Acknowledging AI’s significant impacts on various HR functions, particularly the hiring process, my coauthors, Drs. Ning-Kuang Chuang, Yung-Kuei Huang, and I published a viewpoint article in the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. We discussed how job seekers can use AI tools strategically and responsibly throughout their job search.
How Job Seekers Can Stand Out in AI-Assisted Hiring
Job seekers who understand how AI systems operate across the hiring process can take greater control of their career search. Specifically, we propose six strategic ways to succeed:
- Search and submit job applications – Use AI tools to aggregate job listings, track applications, and identify new opportunities. Tailor resumes and cover letters with keywords that align with job postings, but always ensure authenticity to avoid detection of “AI-styled” content. Evaluate the legitimacy of job postings to avoid scams.
- Prepare resumes and application materials – Use AI responsibly to enhance, not fabricate, the materials. Learn how AI reads and scores resumes so you can align your materials with what machines look for.
- Prepare and participate in job interview(s) – Use AI platforms to simulate interview scenarios and improve their performance through feedback. Practice answering AI-generated questions naturally, but never rely on AI to generate live answers during interviews --- authenticity and honesty still matter most.
- Complete assessment tests – Treat AI-powered assessments as learning opportunities. Maintain integrity in all tests, seek clarification when unsure about scoring or procedures, and use feedback to enhance skills rather than seeking shortcuts.
- Prepare for a background check – Build and manage a professional digital footprint. Keep LinkedIn and other online profiles accurate and consistent with your resume. Use AI to self-monitor your online reputation and promptly address misinformation.
- Evaluate, negotiate, and accept a job offer – Before accepting or negotiating, use trusted AI tools to compare offers with industry benchmarks and simulate negotiation scenarios. Always remove personal data when using AI for analysis and seek clarification directly from employers if contract terms are unclear.
Final Thoughts
The growing presence of AI in hiring requires job seekers to balance technological fluency with ethical awareness. Using AI strategically can improve efficiency, expand opportunities, and refine communication, but personal judgment, authenticity, and professionalism will always define success.
How can we use AI to advance our careers without compromising authenticity? How ready are you to engage with “trustworthy AI” as both a tool and a test in the hiring process?
One way we can use AI to advance our careers without compromising authenticity is to remember it is a tool made to enhance rather than to replace genuineness. So when preparing a resume, we should use it to correct grammar mistakes, ensure consistent formatting, help add quantifiers for measurable achievements and work responsibilities and etc, instead of using AI to draft a whole resume, which can lack personalization. AI can assist in refining how you present and communicate your strengths, but it should be up to you and your unique experiences and achievements to take the lead in the content of your resume.
ReplyDeleteMany people see AI as the death to many jobs in the future like artist and hotel workers and coders but people should start to realize that at this point, there is no stop to Ai and that instead of fighting it we should start to use it to benefit ourselves and this post is a great example on how it should be used. Using AI to help people get jobs instead of losing their jobs is a great way to remind people that AI is not that bad of a thing to use and this could help a lot of newcomers finally be able to land their first job.
ReplyDeleteAlexander Michel
While an AI-integrated future can seem intimidating and pose a perceived challenge for many job seekers, it can and should be utilized as a support tool for both employers and job seekers across various industries. As stated above, there are several ways for job seekers to use AI effectively to stand out amongst their peers. I believe one of the most helpful ways to do this is through the use of simulated interviews to help prepare for real interviews. I personally struggle with interview-induced anxiety in a face-to-face setting, so I’m sure the same could apply to an AI-assisted interview process. So having the opportunity to use AI to practice for interviews is a great benefit.
ReplyDeleteI feel somewhat ready to engage with a trustworthy Artificial Intelligence both as a tool and as part of the hiring process. I use Artificial Intelligence to help research careers practice different interview questions and help clarify my ideas. From what I have experienced I feel pretty comfortable being evaluated using Artificial Intelligence based assessments because I both understand how they operate and how to communicate so both Artificial Intelligence and human reviewers can understand. Along with this I really only approach Artificial Intelligence with an ethical mindset using it only to help me brainstorm and enhance my writing instead of just using it to do all my work without any alteration.
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge fan of AI, but I can recognize that the future is dependent on it. AI will be needed to be used as a tool rather than a replacement. something that humans use to assist them in everyday work life. Numbers and data, rather than HR disputes, which require human emotion, morals, and empathy to navigate. Lemme ask AI how it feels about this. ChatGPT, when asked about AI taking Hospitality jobs, says this: "AI will definitely change many hospitality jobs, but it doesn’t have to replace the human touch that guests value. Instead, AI can take over repetitive tasks—like check-ins, data entry, or basic service requests—so employees can focus on higher-value interactions and personalized service. If used well, it can actually create new roles in tech support, guest experience design, and data management. Overall, AI is more of a tool for transformation than total replacement."
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree.
The article points out an important mindset shift: AI will not replace students and job seekers, it will replace those who don’t embrace the use of AI / lifelong learning or technology. I resonate with the principles of mastering digital literacy, personal branding, and lifelong learning, as a degree is no longer what will get you hired. hiring is about adaptability, creativity, and solving problems. Additionally, I have a strong belief that soft skills will become exponentially more important, with an emphasis on communication, leadership, and empathy. AI can help complete tasks, but relationships are built between humans. I do view AI as a additive to any environment, not a total replacement. AI can't replace human error or human connection.
ReplyDelete- Isiah Greene
Since the growth of AI is starting to become the norm for many job seekers and employers, there arises the question of "do we still need humans?" and I believe that it's still a big requirement, especially when it comes down to selecting the proper candidates for a job. I have always been opposed to the idea of AI selecting future candidates because I believe companies need to maintain a specific persona, and that human connection and empathy are essential in distinguishing between candidates who merely possess extensive work experience and those who genuinely want to contribute to the company. This distinction can only be made through in-person interviews or online calls. AI can speed up the process by ensuring candidates have the right resume information, but it should not make the final hiring decision. Instead, it should serve as an initial stepping stone in the recruitment process.
ReplyDeleteAs AI becomes more involved in the hiring process it does bring a concern in the workplace environment. AI has taken over the one on one aspect in assorting out the applications, which has resulted in having applicants not even be considered due AI. Despite AI being specific in resume format and specific terminology, now AI can assist in a virtual interview. Before even having a formal interview with a company, AI can assist in a video introduction where a company can decide whether someone is a good candidate to move forward with. I believe this can create a trustworthy AI tool as there is a video and AI is working with an actual human. This can also “train” AI about human interaction and can create trustworthiness in the recruitment process.
ReplyDelete-Denise Guerrero
The use of AI in the workplace is being implemented at an alarming rate. While the use of AI could be a positive and helpful addition, we must be reminded that it is a tool, and like any tool, it can be misused. I believe that AI must be overseen by humans in order to properly function in some tasks. In the instance of AI being used to select candidates for job positions, it has already made a huge impact in how applicants build their resume. It creates situations where someone less qualified could be selected for an interview simply because of having keywords within their resume that the AI deems more important. Overall, I believe AI could be helpful, but it shouldn't be used as a replacement for human interaction where key judgements could be made.
ReplyDeleteI thought this post made a good point about how AI isn’t going anywhere in hiring, so job seekers might as well learn how to work with it. The part about AI screening resumes stood out to me because a lot of people don’t realize their resume might get filtered before a human sees it. Practicing interviews with AI also seems useful, but I’m wondering if it can really mimic the pressure of talking to an actual person. Still, using AI to check your online presence is something I never think about, so that was a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteI believe that AI is currently one of the most helpful and powerful research tools we have to elevate our own work, when used correctly. As a job seeker I think it can first help me find and narrow down my options for work. Help me find the job opportunities I'm actually interested in. I feel with current job finding applications most of the time I get jobs I'm not interested in, my setting will be Culinary/Hospitality jobs and will still get options for a truck driving job, which doesn't make sense to me. So I think it can definitely help me research opportunities. Secondly I strongly agree it can help me elevate my resume to make it more professional and ensure I'm putting all the correct information, and not filling it with junk. I think AI has so many more ways it can help, but to me those are the two most valuable ways it can help us find jobs.
ReplyDeleteI believe that AI technology is a very useful tool to help improve work and even make things more efficient. It is an excellent method to take over repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, and I think that's really the best use for it. Many may seek to use generative AI to get shortcuts in productivity, but ultimately it's up to the user to boost their existing qualifications rather than do the work for them. For resumes, AI can help with wording or formatting, but it cannot replace real skills and experience that can be applied to the job I'm trying to get. Using AI isn't anything to be scared away from, but it certainly can't replace genuine effort and skills and the article highlights this well.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, Professor Kwok insights gave me a lot more in depth regarding based on how AI systems can operate across the hiring system. The article summarizes on how to hire and the process behind it. It’s important to check out a nicely made resume. It’s good to check few things and check the bold headings, highlight achievements and avoid abbreviations. Use Social media like linkedIn profile. Also, be careful with sharing information. After that, it’s important to practice questions so you come fully prepared and become confident. The body language, speak clearly and use calm tone. It also matters where you sit and how you maintain. Also make sure you have a background check and evaluate.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, Professor Kwok insights gave me a lot more in depth regarding based on how AI systems can operate across the hiring system. The article summarizes on how to hire and the process behind it. It’s important to check out a nicely made resume. It’s good to check few things and check the bold headings, highlight achievements and avoid abbreviations. Use Social media like linkedIn profile. Also, be careful with sharing information. After that, it’s important to practice questions so you come fully prepared and become confident. The body language, speak clearly and use calm tone. It also matters where you sit and how you maintain. Also make sure you have a background check and evaluate.
ReplyDeleteDhara Patel