Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way companies vet job applicants, and job seekers themselves are now using generative AI to navigate the evolving career landscape.
According to Sean McGowan, director of employment relations at Carnegie Mellon University: Career and Professional Development Center(Opens in a new window) According to the (CPDC), generative AI, when used ethically and responsibly, can be a fast and powerful tool in the job search process, but traditional approaches such as professional networking are more important than ever.
In the Q&A below, McGowan discusses the uses, benefits, and challenges of generative AI in the job search process.
How are employers and job seekers using generative AI in the job search?
In today's job market, both employers and job seekers are increasingly leveraging generative AI to enhance their hiring strategies. HR departments and recruiters are utilizing AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline various processes such as resume screening, bulk messaging, and candidate ranking. These systems are designed to efficiently process large volumes of applications, identify the best candidates, and manage communications at scale.
Meanwhile, job seekers are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT to bulk apply to jobs to get an edge in the competitive job market. The increased speed and volume provided by these tools has led to a surge in job applications. This isn't necessarily a recipe for success, as people are relying on technology instead of making the effort to research and learn how to network. Finding ways to connect at meetups, conferences, with family, friends, and alumni is more important than ever. The “try and pray” strategy of resumes is not effective, and recruiters are relying on networks and referrals to find quality candidates.
How is Carnegie Mellon preparing students for the changing job search process?
CMU is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into its education and career readiness programs. As a leader in AI, CMU recognizes the profound impact this technology will have on the future of work and talent acquisition. This new technology is driving disruptive change at the speed of light.
In response to a rapidly changing job market and new technologies, CMU is committed to ensuring students are well-prepared to navigate this changing environment, and the university’s Career and Professional Development Center is actively working to understand these changes and how they impact both job seekers and employers.
How are resumes reviewed using AI?
Carnegie Mellon still sees great value in human intelligence in recruiting, which is why the university isn't using AI to screen job applicants, limiting its use to assisting with job advertising and talent discovery. For CMU, human intelligence remains at the forefront of talent acquisition.
This is less true for other organizations, where most resumes (75%) never reach a human. Generative AI is being used to write job ads, source, screen, and qualify jobs in days or even hours instead of weeks.
To combat the issue of “ghosting,” where employers stop communicating with candidates, we are using AI to send automated updates and messages, keeping candidates informed about the status of their application and improving the candidate experience even if they don't progress to the next stage. The candidate experience remains our top priority.
Some companies are leveraging AI-powered one-way interview platforms (such as HireVue) for initial candidate screening, where candidates record their answers to pre-set questions and AI analyzes various factors such as language use, tone, and relevant skills.
I've heard students say it's like sending your resume into a black hole — you either don't hear anything, or if you do, you know it's not a human. Applicants are looking for personal experience.
Are you also concerned about bias in these AI systems?
That is absolutely true. One of the problems that can occur in such a system is prejudice and discrimination. For example, Please write the word “softball” on your resume.(Opens in a new window)In one instance, the AI compared softball to baseball and determined that a candidate was more female than male. The system was able to understand gender from just one word.
How can students use AI to stand out during the job search?
CPDC We created a website(Opens in a new window) For AI guidance.
We partner with platforms like Big Interview, an AI feedback and coaching tool for mock interviews that advises on eye contact, vocabulary, tone, delivery, etc. We also have Vmock, an instant resume feedback optimized to score your resume and show how likely it is to resonate with employers.
CMU's main system is Handshake, a jobs database that recommends specific jobs to users based on the companies that direct them to its platform.
How should students use large-scale language models to improve their resumes?
We can advise you on how to use your LLM ethically.
Basically, yes you can do an LLM, but you should check your materials carefully before submitting it – after all, it's your name on the top and you have to answer for it.
If only 25% of applications are reviewed by a real human being, what other strategies can help you in your job search?
When I think about career services and what we really need to do here, it's not about giving people fish, it's about teaching them how to fish.
Right now, we are working to help these students find work now, but also to train them in the critical skills they will need in the future.
We know how to talk to people, and we know how to help you stand out. And that's the power of this academic environment. Now that you're part of the Carnegie Mellon network, we can help you know who you know. We bring companies to campus. We have a great alumni base.
We're trying to help students expand their network of contacts. When we talk to employers who are seeing an increase in applicants, they're looking at referrals. They're looking at trusted networks, and as an employer relationship, we're that trusted network.
Do you feel that AI is taking over your job?
A lot of companies that come here don't know yet how to hire AI to do their jobs because AI has become so pervasive so quickly. We don't have many AI engineering roles in our work. But we still see software development, data science, and machine learning roles. And those are the foundations of where the AI market is and where it's going to be.
Additionally, computer science programs have grown in number over the past few years, and while there are more schools offering computer science degrees, our school remains at the top of the rankings.
When companies are deciding who to hire, especially when competition is fierce, Carnegie Mellon graduates have a leg up on everyone else thanks to the connections, network and team in our office. In a competitive market, our school rankings, community and support network matter more than ever.
