So, AI has been extremely prevalent for about the last year and a half, maybe even two years. Now, what AI can do is amazing. It’s able to create astounding images with a few mere words (something that would make DaVinci proud) and long-form articles within mere seconds, something that takes a human hour to do. It’s getting to the point where videos are easily being created, too, thanks to AI. But with that said, one piece of advice that so many people are giving out, especially when it comes to job hunting, is to use AI.
A lot of people will tell you it’s the best thing for your career path because it can make your resume “superior”, it only takes seconds to create a cover letter that sellers, and more. In theory, this sounds amazing, but so many people on LinkedIn are even cheering for it. But is this actually a good idea?
Honestly, no, the human touch still matters when it comes to hunting for jobs and applying for jobs! By how? Better yet, in the golden age of technology, especially with AI, why does the human touch even matter? The human touch has been here for years; shouldn’t it just die off? Well, here’s exactly why the human touch still matters when getting a job!
It’s Not Personal
One thing that the CV experts are going to hammer down on and on is personalisation. Seriously, AI can’t do that when you’ve read enough content that AI has churned out, you know, when it’s AI. And you know what? Recruiters are going to know that, too. They look at portfolios, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, resumes, and, of course, your applications. If it sounds so dead and boring or even uses certain language that AI uses, it’s just a dead giveaway, and your application will be thrown straight into the trash.
While it’s true that algorithms excel at parsing through large volumes of data and identifying keywords, they often struggle to grasp the nuances of individual experiences, skills, and motivations. So, as a result, job applicants may find themselves reduced to mere data points, devoid of the context and depth that human recruiters can provide. That doesn’t sell who you are and what you can do!
It’s Not Able to Sell Your Soft Skills
So, it’s best to give credit where credit is due, and AI algorithms excel at evaluating technical skills and qualifications based on predefined criteria. But that’s basically as far as it goes. AI can only focus on that; it’s not able to assess soft skills, and it doesn’t know your soft skills or anything like that. Only you know your soft skills; only you know your emotional intelligence and how you work and communicate with others.
Do You Hate Getting Generic Rejection Letters?
Do you hate being ghosted? Well, everyone does, but what really rubs salt in the wound is getting an automated or even generic AI-written rejection letter. There’s no human touch, no empathy, just emptiness. Unfortunately, the impersonal nature of AI-driven job application systems can leave candidates feeling frustrated, disengaged, and dehumanized.
Chances are high you’re dealing with this now and probably know others who are, too. Well, even with that said, it’s still not an idea to “fight AI with AI.” The more you use AI for your applications, CV, and cover letter, the less human you’ll sound, and you’ll keep getting those generic, inhuman rejection letters.
AI Can’t Do Everything
You can’t use AI to reach out to recruiters and Hiring Managers to explain why you’re a good fit. You can’t reach out to people to network with Ai, and AI can’t go to networking events in your place. It can’t do everything, and again, a major aspect of getting a job is to be authentic. It’s hard to get a job, but now more than ever, you need to show authenticity.
You need to have an active LinkedIn profile filled with helpful info with a personal touch. Your messages to people need to be obvious that they’re human-written and not boring bots. Of course, you need to be vibrant at networking events. Only you can sell yourself and prove you have what it takes. Seriously, AI can’t do that.
At the end of the day, you’re really better off going about this yourself; by all means, using AI a little bit here and there during the search is fine; that’s totally okay. But you can’t be overly reliant on it because it just can’t do what you’re able to do. It’s as simple as that, really.