Mark Quinn is Senior Director of AI Operations at Pearl, a professional services AI search platform. Before getting into work, longtime tech executives who had leadership roles at Waymo, Apple and LinkedIn created the now-called artificial intelligence tool. Careerbuddy gpthelping him level up his search. This tool determined whether he was suitable, updated his resume to highlight relevant experiences, wrote cover letters, and identified people to contact about their positions. For Brevity and Clarity, the following has been edited:
When I turned to AI to help with job hunting, I was five months later and didn't get the traction I thought I would get. I felt like I did it all, but that was clearly not the case. When you are in a moment like this, you can feel stuck and be blinded to possibilities.
So I went to AI and said, “I don't know what to do. I'm a technology executive. This is my resume. I'm applying for these jobs. I haven't had many successes.”
It brings me back from the edge and essentially says, “You're at this level, your average employment search time should be ABC, you should be here only.
It sounds stupid, but listening was really helpful. Then he continues, “Now, let's talk about some things. I'm hearing what you've done, but here are some things I might be able to do that I haven't heard.”
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Some of those suggestions were unexpected. One was to make cakes for someone because it was a company that valued bold moves. I'm not sure if that's really good advice, but it came up with it.
We also suggest ways to tailor the message to specific people. Or, for example, to use email rather than LinkedIn, such a type of information, since it is not active on LinkedIn.
One of the taglines I have developed from my experience is that one way of thinking about AI is not as a tool, but as the world's best expert on what you need help. The more you utilize AI through that lens, the more you can get out of it.
I used it to create what I call a panel of experts. Now you have AI playing multiple roles at once. It can be sliced and diced to give you a variety of opinions and integrated opinions.
Another example is to download profile information for the person you are going to interview. You can conduct mock interviews with AI assuming the role of an interviewer. And you can do it live with your voice and then get feedback about your performance.
We have also started calling for people to apply for roles such as increasing CEOs. I recommended doing a colder outreach, but it wasn't too leaning hard. It helped me to understand the plans that worked for me and for me that worked to do it, and it gave me concrete steps.
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“You're missing that.”
The way I ended up with Pearl is interesting. When I saw the job description, I handed it over. Because on paper, that's not what I've done before. Now it's hilarious. Because I'm there and everyone connects my passion and my past with roles.
Maybe a week later, I looked at the post again and said, “Why am I telling myself 'no'? Let's drop this into the Career Buddy GPT and see what it says.
I didn't think I was qualified, but I said, “Please give me your objective evaluation.” It comes back and says, “Hey, you're missing it. Your resume won't talk about it, but here's how your experience matches.”
It encouraged me to apply. So I did a network outreach, was connected and helped me open the door. This has led to the following: However, what forced me to apply was to not only respond to AI, but also to the extent that it truly advised. I trust, but I'll confirm.
It told me to do something different than what I thought was right. I can represent me, what am I and what I am. AI can see between lines, challenges and questions.
When I was interviewing the CEO, he asked me towards the end of the interview what my dream job was. I reached the stumbling for about 15-20 seconds and then, “Look, I just need to be honest with you. I don't know how to spin this. The honest answer is this. This job is my dream job.”
I won't throw darts anymore
After I started using AI, my job hunting took a little while. It's probably another five months. But I felt like I was throwing darts and felt much more targeted and accurate. And I disappeared from finding the right opportunity and not responding to having a conversation. It was a matter of finding the right fit. That can take time.
We are at a moment when people and businesses are about to be left behind and I want to help them not. The opportunity to really get it, chase this full power and go to a company that wants to rewire with AI sounds like the most difficult role in my career, but it is also the most fun and most relevant thing I can do in this moment.
So, I not only stumbled at work, but also stumbled at my dream job.
Are there any stories to share about your job hunting? Please contact this reporter tparadis@businessinsider.com.
