AI vs. Recruiter: The Best Strategies for Your Next Job Search
In 2023, the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has grown significantly and it’s just getting started. Artificial intelligence is essentially a technology that processes large amounts of data to perform human-like tasks like understanding language, analyzing data, making recommendations, and so much more (
Google Cloud). With endless possibilities, it’s becoming a go-to tool for both individuals and businesses.
In the staffing industry, AI has become a hit not only for recruiting companies but also for job seekers. According to a survey conducted by the
American Staffing Association, about 4 in 10 U.S. job seekers have used or are currently using AI tools to help them apply for jobs. While AI tools can be handy during a job search, it’s important to make sure you don’t lose the human factor. In this blog, we’re here to tell you about our best strategies for leveraging AI in your job hunt and how that measures up to a Recruiter’s assistance. Let’s get started!
AI Benefits & Tools
Using AI offers a variety of different benefits, and it can save you a lot of time and effort during your job-seeking journey. AI technologies are consistently up to date on industry trends, which can help to reduce a lot of stress associated with your job search. Here are some ways you can use AI to assist you in applying for jobs:
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Resume Builders: AI tools like Rezi help to format a clean looking, precisely written resume from scratch based on your experiences and skills. Making sure your resume conveys all the right information can be tough, so using an AI tool can help to eliminate that stress. Your resume is the first thing to hit the hiring manager's desk; you want to make sure it looks good so you can leave a lasting impression.
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Resume Checkers: Having a second set of “eyes” on your resume is always beneficial! AI resume checkers work to use industry trends and market data to determine if your resume is up to par.
Jobscan is one tool that allows you to optimize your resume and suggests areas that need improvement and strategies to do so.
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Cover Letter Writers: Your cover letter acts as a supporting piece to your resume and allows the hiring manager to understand how your experiences connect to the position you’re applying for. Some AI tools allow you to provide information about your life experiences, achievements, and job description to create a unique and well-written cover letter. Tools like
ChatGPT are widely used for this purpose.
Extension is not affiliated with any of the above-mentioned tools, but these are just a few examples of the many AI technologies available. As with any online service or tool, do your research and due diligence to make the best decisions for you!
AI Best Practices
In order to get the best responses from AI tools, here are a few techniques we suggest you follow:
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Give it context: If you're using AI to format your resume, provide your cover letter, find a job that matches your experience, etc., you can't expect the tool to give you a good result without giving it context first. Be sure to introduce yourself to the AI platform and provide essential pieces of information like your educational background, work experience, achievements, skills, and whatever else you find necessary. This will allow the tool to create something personal and catered to you.
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Share the job description: For resumes and cover letters, it is beneficial to share the job description that you want to apply for with the AI tool. From there, you can prompt AI to write a cover letter/resume based on the job description and your qualifications. The result will be detailed, tailored to the position, and will provide keywords meant to stand out to a Hiring Manager.
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Re-prompt: Sometimes, AI doesn’t hit the nail on the head the first time. If your first result isn’t what you are looking for, re-prompt! Simply give the AI instructions of what you would like to see differently and make sure to be as specific as possible. The more information that the technology has, the better chance you will get a response that works for you.
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Proofread and personalize: While AI can be an extremely useful tool when it comes to helping you write, remember not to simply copy and paste. Always proofread your results and check for spelling errors or any made-up facts that the AI has written. Also, be sure to add your personal touches. Hiring Managers may be able to tell if something has been written by AI, so try to rephrase things in your own way to create a more personalized product.
What Can Recruiters Do That AI Can’t?
While AI can be great for helping to search and apply for new positions, working with a Recruiter will actually give you the best chance of securing a job! Check out some of the things a Recruiter can do that AI could never do:
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Increase your visibility: Working with a Recruiter can highly increase your chances of your application being viewed by a Hiring Manager. Staffing Agencies communicate with their clients directly, so they have the ability to personally recommend you and speak to your skills, experiences and character. When you apply for a job on your own, your resume and application likely go into a large pool of candidates with a much smaller chance of being seen and reviewed.
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Advocate for you: Recruiters will spend a lot of time getting an understanding of who you are and what you’re looking for. Their job is to build relationships with job seekers AND the companies they represent. They’re focused on truly understanding what both parties need to see in order to move forward, which results in a good match across the board. Senior Recruiter at Extension, Taylor Solis, says, “A Recruiter is going to take in all the tangibles and intangibles of what you're looking for. AI can find you a job that meets your compensation needs, whether it’s remote/onsite, and the duties you’d be performing. However, a Recruiter will also look at the culture of the company, the training process, and any growth opportunities. We can also fight for you to get the best opportunity and offer possible”.
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Access to exclusive opportunities: Through building lasting relationships with companies, Recruiters often have access to opportunities and positions that aren’t posted on job boards. They will be able to connect you with hiring managers and companies that are a good match for you that AI won’t be able to find.
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Provide hands-on support: AI tools may be able to help you at the beginning of your job search, but Recruiters will be in your corner throughout the whole process. Sales Manager at Extension, Jeff Yamada, says, “Recruiters have the ability to coach you along the way and lean on their relationships to give you the best chance of securing the position. We also provide hands-on support with the negotiation of salary, benefits, etc.”.
The moral of the story is AI technology is fascinating and we understand why it’s so popular. But when it comes to a job search, relationships are still everything. AI might be able to assist you, but working with a Recruiter will give you the best chance when it comes to finding a job you love.
Looking for the next step in your career? Send your resume to team@extensionrecruiting.com to start the journey today!