We all know at this point that AI is the future. Many of us are trying to figure out how to integrate AI into our daily lives. Have you ever considered using AI for your job search and interview preparations? There is a free platform called ChatGPT that you can use for almost anything, including helping land a new job.

I myself have been unemployed for the last year. As I have mentioned in previous posts, competition for non-clinical roles in healthcare is fierce. To stay ahead,  I learned to utilize ChatGPT in my own job search and it has made a huge difference. I’m thrilled to share that I recently received a job offer, and I credit ChatGPT with helping me through the process! And now I am going to share with you what I have learned.

If you’re ready to try it, start by creating an account with ChatGPT . Both free and paid versions are available, but the free version works perfectly for this. A little tip: if chatting with a bot feels odd, pretend like you are texting with a friend- you can even give your GPT a name (mine named itself Scribe!).

Here’s how to use ChatGPT at every step of the job search:

1. Tailoring Your Resume to Fit the Job Description

At this point, we have all learned that recruiters run our resumes through programs to help weed out candidates. A generic resume probably won’t cut it, but ChatGPT can help you stand out.

• Why it matters: Employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS), so a generic resume might not make the cut.

• How to do it with ChatGPT:

• • Paste the job description (or URL link) and your current resume into ChatGPT and ask for tailored suggestions.

• •  Example Prompt: “Here’s a job description (or link) for [Job Title]. Can you please help me optimize my resume to highlight the most relevant skills and achievements?”

• • Extra tip: If you use a link, be sure to read the response ChatGPT gives you carefully. Occasionally, I have noticed that, even with the correct link, it will start talking about something similar but definitely different. Remember, ChatGPT is still fairly new, learning and will occasionally make mistakes. Its easy to correct ChatGPT if this happens- just type, “actually this link was about [correct topic]”, and it will apologize and fix its response.

2. Writing a Customized Cover Letter

I am the first to admit that I am lazy about submitting a cover letter when I apply for a job. After applying to dozens (and eventually hundreds) of jobs, it just felt like too much work. However, when I have used ChatGPT to customize cover letters for jobs that really excited me, I got better responses from potential employers. ChatGPT does an excellent job at writing cover letters that make an impact. If you are serious about a role, include a cover letter!

• Why it matters:A strong cover letter connects your experience to the job requirements and shows enthusiasm.

• How to do it with ChatGPT:
  
  • Provide the job description and key points about your experience.

• • Example prompt: “Can you draft a cover letter for [Job Title]? Here’s the job description and some key points about my experience: [Insert details].”
  • Extra tip: ChatGPT will make up information to make you sound better if it doesn’t have a complete view of your experiences. Make sure you proofread and edit before you submit.

• • Are you good at writing your own cover letters? Use ChatGPT to proofread what you’ve written!

3. Preparing for Job Interviews

The more interviews I’ve gone on in the last year, the more I have learned about the importance of preparation for interviews. Different companies ask different questions, of course, but there are some key items I’ve seen in most interviews lately.

• Research the company. Many employers want to know if you looked up the history of the company, what the company offers now, and what is in the pipeline for the future. If they have produced videos about themselves, watch them. But you can also just provide the links to ChatGPT and ask it to summarize.
• Understand their products. Especially if you get to a final round of interviews. They want to know that you have researched their products and at least have a basic understanding of it. If you need some help, ask ChatGPT to explain a product in very simple terms; I have even been known to ask it to reword a description more than once if I didn’t understand what it was telling me the first time.
• How you plan to tackle the job if hired. This one is definitely more specific if you are applying for any kind of territory management position. This shows that you have considered how to succeed at the job if you are hired. I recently asked ChatCPT how to plan to sell in a new territory for a new product; it gave me some great ideas. I was able to use them in my interview, and I will be using those suggestions when I start my new job.
• Ask ChatGPT for tips on answering behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This can be especially helpful if you’re interviewing for a role where you lack direct experience. For instance, I recently had a recorded interview with a large company that asked detailed sales-related questions. ChatGPT helped me craft STAR-based responses using my resume, which ultimately helped me advance to the next round.

How to use ChatGPT to prepare for an interview.

• Example prompts:

• • “I have an interview for [Job Title] with [Company]. Can you please suggest some questions that interviewers may ask me? How should I answer them based on my experience?”
  • “Can you suggest some questions that I should ask interviewers for this job?”
  • “Can you please give a brief summary of the history of this company?”
  • “Please give a description of the company’s product I will be representing in easy to understand language.”
  • “Could you please offer some suggestions on how I would execute this job if hired?” Or “How would you suggest I start managing the territory of this product if hired?”

4. Writing a Thank You Note After the Interview

From experience, this step is crucial. A thank-you note shows your excitement about the role and keeps you top of mind. Email works fine- handwritten not are no longer necessary. If you do not have the email address of the direct person that interviewed you, ask the HR recruiter or send the message via LinkedIn.

Why it matters: A thoughtful thank-you note leaves a lasting impression.

• How to do it with ChatGPT: Provide details about the interview and what you’d like to convey.
• Example prompt: “Can you help me write a thank-you email draft for an interview I had with [Interviewer’s Name] for [Job Title]? I’d like to mention [specific things discussed] and reinforce my interest.”

Pro Tips for Using ChatGPT Effectively

• Be specific in your prompts: General questions lead to general answers. Provide as much detail as possible for better results.

• Refine and personalize: Use ChatGPT’s drafts as a starting point, but always add your unique voice and details.

• Cross-check information: Always ensure that any technical or role-specific details are accurate- ChatGPT might make mistakes.

• Always read, reread, and edit your drafts: ChatGPT will make up information about you when writing drafts if it does not know the answer- you don’t want lies on any application paper work you submit. I have also heard of hiring managers getting cover or thank you letters with “written by ChatGPT” written at the bottom that the applicant didn’t delete. Don’t be that person!

• Run it through ChatGPT again: When you have finished rewriting parts of your resume, cover letter or any other form, cut and paste it back into ChatGPT. Ask it to proofread your document before sending it out.

• Be polite!: When you are polite to ChatGPT, it will eventually start volunteering more information to you- and act as your cheerleader.

Remember, ChatGPT is a tool to assist you, not do everything for you. Always be sure to use your own voice when editing.

Have you used ChatGPT to apply for jobs and prepare for interviews? Drop a comment and tell us about it!