AI in the Job Search
Glossary Of Terms
Assistive AI (Editing and Feedback Tools)
AI that helps improve or refine content you have already created, rather than generating it from scratch. These tools often focus on grammar, clarity, or tone. Examples: Grammarly, spellcheck tools, resume feedback platforms
Generative AI (Content Creation Tools)
AI that produces new content based on a prompt. These tools can draft resumes, cover letters, emails, or interview questions. Unlike embedded tools these programs are often conversational meaning you can build on previous information provided. Examples: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini
Large Language Models (LLMs)
The underlying technology behind many generative AI tools. LLMs are trained on large amounts of text and generate human-like responses in a conversational format. They are what allow users to “chat” with AI and receive detailed answers or drafts.
AI Detection
The process of identifying whether a piece of text or content was generated, in whole or in part, by an artificial intelligence tool. This may involve automated detection software that analyzes patterns in language, structure, and predictability, or human evaluation based on recognizable features of AI-generated writing.
List
Prompt
The instructions or question you give to an AI tool. Clear, specific prompts generally lead to better and more relevant results.
Hallucination (AI Error)
When an AI tool generates information that is incorrect, misleading, or entirely fabricated, even if it sounds confident and credible. Hallucinations can include false facts, invented citations, or inaccurate descriptions of roles or organizations. Because AI does not “know” the information in a human sense, all outputs should be verified before use.
Bias in AI
The presence of systematic patterns in AI outputs that reflect the limitations or imbalances in the data used to train the system. This can influence how information is framed, what examples are provided, or what language is suggested. In the job search, bias may affect suggestions about tone, roles, or qualifications. Users should critically evaluate outputs and ensure alignment with their own goals and context.
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Software used by employers to collect, organize, and filter job applications before human review. ATS platforms often scan for keywords, formatting, and alignment with job descriptions. While AI tools can help tailor materials for ATS, overusing generic or keyword-heavy content may reduce clarity, diminish authenticity, and make applications less effective once reviewed by a hiring manager. For more information on the use of AI tools like ATS from employers see below.
Using AI Responsibly: Risks and Considerations
- Content AI creates is not always accurate. Generative AI bots can “hallucinate”, or generate false or inaccurate information about you or the job you are applying to. Review/ Rewrite all content that is generated by AI. Remember what you put into it determines what you get out of it so always provide as much detail and information as possible to avoid it filling in the gaps.
- AI can be biased. Generative AI models are always pulling form the data they were trained on. Depending on the model you are using this could affect the type of responses it gives you. Data can come from unreliable sources. If you are suspicious of the response or advice the tool is giving you ask it for its sources and evaluate the accuracy by doing your own research.
- Start with your own best work. Generative AI should be used as a tool or as an on demand advisor not to replace doing the work. Using AI to assist you should feel like work as well. It should feel like a back and forth conversation around what you are doing well and how to improve and you making those improvements and refinements on your own. Without specific prompting from you, the response you get is likely to be generic and not helpful in a competitive job market that is looking for YOUR unique skillset and personality.
- Review your materials with a person: Human beings are still the ones making the hiring decisions at the end of the interview process. Make sure you are reviewing your materials with a person before submitting them. that can be a career advisor, faculty member, or mentor. For help with material review schedule an appointment with a graduate career advisor here: https://graduate.ku.edu/graduate-career-advising
Additional AI Related Job Search Information
Prompts for use in Large Language Models (LLMs)
PROMPT:
I am a graduate student at the University of Kansas in the [program/discipline].
I enjoy [specific activities, projects, or types of work] and frequently use [technical, analytical, research, communication, or interpersonal skills].
Based on my resume [paste resume], please:
- Identify 8–12 potential job titles that align with my skills, interests, and values
- Include roles across multiple sectors where appropriate (industry, government, nonprofit, higher education, research, consulting, etc.)
- Briefly explain why each role is a potential fit based on my experience
- Highlight transferable skills from my graduate training that are relevant to each role
Do not assume I am pursuing only academic positions. Focus on roles where I can apply my academic and professional experience in meaningful, realistic ways.
For the roles you listed, identify:
- Common skill gaps I may need to address
- Typical employers or organization types
- Next steps I could take to explore these paths further (e.g., networking, skill building, informational interviews)
PROMPT:
I need help identifying places to look for jobs and opportunities that fit my skills and interests. Based on my resume [Insert resume] help me identify where to look for jobs and opportunities. I am interested in [insert skills, interests, values, career goals, and target roles]
Please:
- Recommend specific job boards, websites, and platforms relevant to my target roles and fields and provide links when possible
- Include general job boards, field or industry‑specific boards, and mission‑driven sites where appropriate
- Identify less obvious or niche places where jobs in this field are commonly posted (e.g., professional associations, listservs, research centers, government portals)
- Note which platforms are best for early‑career or graduate‑level candidates
- For each recommendation, briefly explain:
- What types of roles are typically posted there
- Why this source is relevant given my background and goals
- Arrange in table format
Do not recommend platforms that are clearly irrelevant to my field. If helpful, organize the results by sector (industry, government, nonprofit, higher education, research, consulting, etc.).
PROMPT:
I am a graduate student at the University of Kansas in the [program/discipline]. I am exploring career paths related to [field, role type, or sector] and am particularly interested in your background and career trajectory.
Using the professional information below:
- My resume: [paste resume or key experiences]
- Their public professional profile: [paste a summary or select highlights from LinkedIn]
Please draft a concise, professional LinkedIn message or Email (150–200 words maximum) requesting a 20–30 minute informational interview that:
- Demonstrates specific interest in their work or career path
- Clearly states my purpose is to learn, not to ask for a job
- Uses a polite, low‑pressure tone appropriate for an initial outreach
- Sounds professional
- Avoid exaggerated flattery, overly formal language, or assumptions about their availability.
PROMPT:
I am preparing to do an informational interview with someone who is in a [role or organization/company] I may be interested in working in. Based on my background [Insert Resume] and what I know about this person [Insert the relevant information you know about their professional background], generate 8–10 thoughtful informational interview questions that:
- Go beyond basic “day‑to‑day job” questions
- Prioritize lesser‑known insights, tradeoffs, and career decision points
- Include questions about skills development, career pivots, workplace norms, or misperceptions about the field
- Are appropriate for a graduate student exploring multiple career options
- For each question, include one sentence explaining why the question is valuable for someone at my career stage.
PROMPT:
Below is an existing section of my resume from [position title, organization]:
[paste resume bullets or paragraph]
The skills I developed in this role include [list specific technical, research, analytical, or transferable skills].
Please revise this section to:
- Clearly reflect these skills using specific, accurate language
- Emphasize actions and outcomes, not just responsibilities
- Use concise, resume‑appropriate bullet points
- Preserve my original meaning, voice, and level of experience
Do not add accomplishments or skills that are not supported by the content I provided.
Additionally, provide feedback on the original section of the resume.
End the response with a few specific and detailed questions that may help flush out additional skills and experiences I may have obtained within this role. The goal of these questions should be designed to help me think more deeply about what I did in that position and the skills I gained so that I can fill it out more fully. Use knowledge about roles that have similar titles in similar settings to identify experiences that could be missing.
PROMPT:
I need assistance tailoring my resume to a job posting. I will provide you with one of my experiences at a time and I would like help learning how I can improve this section for this job description. Using the following resume section [Insert Resume section] and this job description [paste job description]
Please:
- Identify key skills, qualifications, and keywords emphasized in the job description
- Revise my resume bullets to better align with those requirements, where my experience genuinely applies
- Suggest alternative wording for bullets that could be adapted to other roles
- Do not fabricate experience, overstate impact, or change the substance of my role.
After revising the bullets, briefly explain:
- Which skills or qualifications from the job description were addressed
- Which requirements I may still be missing
- Which bullets I should prioritize discussing in an interview
PROMPT:
I am applying for the position described below:
[paste job description]
Below is my resume content for reference:
[paste relevant resume sections only]
Please help me draft placeholders and suggestions for each section of the cover letter by:
- Identifying which experiences or skills from my resume would logically fit each paragraph
- Suggesting bullet‑point notes or draft phrasing, not a fully written letter
- Flagging where I should insert my own voice, motivations, and examples
- Use brackets such as [INSERT YOUR OWN LANGUAGE HERE] wherever personal motivation, values, or storytelling are required.
Do not write a complete final letter. Do not invent experiences, motivations, or claims.
PROMPT:
Based on my resume[insert resume] and this job description[insert job description] help me prepare for an upcoming interview.
Please:
- Generate common and role‑specific interview questions I should expect
- Help me map my experiences and skills to these questions
Do not write scripted answers. Instead:
- Provide bullet‑point guidance for how I might respond
- Flag where I should add my own language, examples, and voice
Indicate what interviewers are likely trying to assess with each question
PROMPT:
I am preparing for an upcoming interview and want to practice answering questions out loud or in writing.
Please act as an interviewer for the following role:
[insert position title, institution/company, and role type: academic / industry / nonprofit / government]
Interview format:
[phone / video / panel / campus or onsite]
Please:
- Ask me one interview question at a time
- Vary the questions between behavioral, role‑specific, and fit‑focused questions
- Wait for my response before continuing
After each response, provide brief feedback only on:
- Clarity and structure of my answer
- Use of specific examples or stories
- Whether my response aligns with what interviewers typically assess
Do not:
- Rewrite my answer
- Provide a “perfect” sample response
- Add experiences or language that are not mine
If helpful, suggest one specific way I could strengthen my answer while keeping my voice and experience intact.
PROMPT:
I am considering negotiating an offer and want to prepare strategically.
Using the offer details below and my background [Insert offer], [Insert Job Description],[Insert Resume] help me:
- Identify which components may be negotiable (e.g., salary, start date, workload, professional development, relocation, teaching load, research support)
- Articulate reasonable justification points based on my experience and the role
- Flag areas where negotiation may be inappropriate or risky
Do not generate a script yet. Focus on preparation and strategy.
A Note on Employer Use of AI in Hiring
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used by employers in hiring, including resume screening, applicant ranking, and early evaluation. Many organizations rely on AI to manage applications and identify candidates whose skills align with job requirements.
However, these systems have limitations. They may prioritize keywords over context and can reflect bias in past hiring data, while human review remains essential for evaluating communication, experience, and overall fit.
Because it is not always clear whether or how employers are using AI, it is important to design application materials for both human and automated review. Tailoring your resume is not only about meeting applicant tracking system (ATS) criteria, but also about communicating your experiences clearly, specifically, and authentically to any audience.
Sources updated June 2026:
- NACE 2025 Recruiting Benchmarks Report (AI use in recruiting)
- 2025 Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Usage Report: Key Shifts and Strategies for Job Seekers
- Harvard Business Review: AI and fairness in hiring
- One Tech Tip: Your next job interview could be with an AI bot
- AI is screening your resume. Here's how to make it past the bots
- Is AI slopifying the job market? (Two Indicators)