Navigating the job search can be draining, especially when you’ve already spent hours tailoring your resume and cover letter to your dream jobs without getting responses from employers.  

What if I told you that Generative AI could streamline the job application process? People have leveraged AI tools to streamline various tasks and augment human intelligence for a long time.

Here are some tips to blend artificial intelligence with a personal touch to create a powerful resume and cover letter that stands out in the job market:

1: Gain experience through learning and drafting

Expand your knowledge about what makes a good resume and cover letter by drafting your own versions based on the roles you’re targeting. Need help getting started? We have tons of resume and cover letter resources available on our website to help you.

2: Get general insights and feedback from AI

For instance, AI can suggest industry-specific keywords that enhance your resume’s chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filters, which is particularly beneficial when applying to large companies that use these systems to manage applications.

Try asking questions and using prompts like:

Here is the job description. Can you identify the keywords the ATS might be using to track?

or

Here is a draft of my resume and cover letter. Please give me feedback on how well my materials fit the job description.

3: Get specific help articulating your accomplishments using AI

AI can do more than suggest edits—it can help you refine your narrative in your cover letter and articulate your accomplishments for your resume, too.

Try using prompts like:

Please ask me questions to be more specific about how I did this job and what outcomes I achieved.

or

I want to tell a story about my experience at [company] where I did [task] and want to showcase [skills] tailoring to [job description]. Act as the hiring manager, and ask me questions that uncover details about how my experience and skills connect to the job I’m applying for. 

4: Refine with human intelligence

While generative AI can help with structure, your unique experiences and personality are what will truly make your resume and cover letter shine. Recruiters can tell when a cover letter feels generic. We recommend including personalized anecdotes that highlight your achievements and skills. If you want extra support with this, stop by Mohr Career Service’s cover letter and resume drop-in advising hours Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. during the academic term in Lillis 155. We would love to help you! 

5: Use AI to proofread and polish your materials

Once your materials have been customized to reflect your personality and expertise, take a step back and let AI help you with grammar, spelling, and readability.

You can use prompts like:

Review the text and correct typos, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. Make the corrections bold so I can see what changes you’ve made.

or

Rephrase sentences to improve clarity and flow without altering the core meaning. Ensure that the revised sentences increase the overall readability of the text. 

A Few Final Thoughts 

Did you know that the University of Oregon has given you access to Microsoft Copilot with data protection features? You can log in with your DuckID, and any information you enter stays local (in other words, it doesn’t get sent back to Microsoft or OpenAI).

We also recognize that generative AI has costs, including environmental and social. For more insights, you can read the article “AI’s Trust Problems” from Harvard Business Review. 

In closing, your unique voice and experiences are what will truly make your application memorable. Although AI can support you along the way, your application materials still need your authentic voice and unique touches to make it stand out.

Ultimately, recruiters and hiring managers want to hear about YOU, and you know yourself best (not generative AI). Use AI to help you get the ball rolling, but also remember to let your personality shine through!