Should You Use ChatGPT to Apply for Jobs?
For the past couple of months, ChatGPT has been the talk of the town. Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool that can generate text from prompts or questions given by a user. People use ChatGPT to create copy, translate text, brainstorm ideas, and much more. With the capabilities of this AI tool, many job seekers are using it to develop cover letters.
Recruiters are noticing more AI-generated cover letters coming through the pipeline in the last few months. In a recent Fast Company article, hiring managers and recruiters shared their thoughts on professionals using ChatGPT to apply for jobs.
ChatGPT can provide an excellent template for writing a cover letter
Curiosity struck Alexandria Brown, a human resources consultant and founder of The HR Hacker when she heard that people were using ChatGPT to generate cover letters. After trying it out herself, she was impressed by what the AI model created and thinks it’s a good idea for job seekers to use it as a template for writing cover letters.
“I think it takes some of the pressure off job seekers’ panic and anxiety about creating cover letters for every single job they apply to,” Brown told Fast Company.
Jobseekers should view ChatGPT as a tool rather than a machine
Tools like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used to shortlist resumes, but ultimately, all resumes are still reviewed by hiring managers. With this in mind, job seekers shouldn’t rely too heavily on ChatGPT, and should still tweak their cover letters to ensure it sounds natural and personal.
“A convincing cover letter is more than a rephrasing of your work experience,” James Hu, the CEO of Jobscan, told Fast Company.
ChatGPT should probably be avoided when applying for jobs that require skilled writing
Depending on ChatGPT to curate a high-quality cover letter for roles that require superb writing skills may not be the best idea for job seekers.
“When we receive inquiries about jobs that are clearly either an AI-generated form letter or whatever it may be, especially on the job listing front, we have a visceral reaction to it,” Scott Milano, the founder and managing director of Tanj, told Fast Company.