With Artificial Intelligence (AI) being all the rage, it is important to know when and how to use it. Some have considered using AI to complete job applications or draft CVs. As with everything AI, there are pros and cons.
Your responsibility when applying for a job or drafting your CV
Whether you use AI or not, you have certain responsibilities when making a job application or preparing your CV. One of the key elements of both activities is to be truthful. We would not recommend telling lies in either your job application or your CV. In most instances, if you are untruthful, you will be found out. In a worst-case scenario, if you are successful in landing the job and are found out, it is likely to lead to summary dismissal.
If you use a recruitment agency and, having told lies, they find you a position, if you are found out, apart from dismissal, you may also face a claim from them for compensation because their fee will not be paid by your prospective employer.
Honesty is always the best policy when applying for a job or completing your CV.
Responsible use of AI when applying for a job or drafting your CV
Now that we have alerted you to some of the concerns that can arise by embellishing your CV, we can look at how you can responsibly use AI to help when you are applying for a job or drafting your CV.
Perhaps the best-known AI currently available is ChatGPT. There is a free version that is easy to use.
If you are applying for a job, you might consider asking ChatGPT to help you write your job application. Give the AI the basics and ask it to provide you with information you can use when you make your application.
You can supply the AI with the text of your application and ask it to check it for accuracy and quality. If you decide to use AI to help you with your CV, it is a good idea to prepare your CV in advance, ask ChatGPT to review it and make recommendations for its improvement and then copy and paste your CV into ChatGPT. The AI will make recommendations you can review.
You must be careful to check any “facts” that ChatGPT provides just in case it has made them up. You also need to remember that AI can also hallucinate!
Data protection and using AI
ChatGPT and other AI of the same type are large language models. That means they learn from data they have examined. When you add information into ChatGPT you are adding to the data it examines.
Because ChatGPT is an open platform, if you enter personal information about either yourself or others, it will no longer be private. This means you must be cautious about using ChatGPT or other AI tools to help complete job applications or draft CVs.
What does ChatGPT have to say about this?
AI is extremely powerful and, most of the time, helpful in responding to questions you post to it.
We asked ChatGPT: “Should I use AI to complete a job application or draft a CV? And is there anything illegal in doing so in England?”
Here is what it said:
Using AI to help complete a job application or draft a CV can be a practical way to ensure your documents are well-written and professionally formatted. However, there are some ethical and legal considerations to keep in mind.
Benefits of Using AI for Job Applications and CVs
- Efficiency: AI tools can quickly generate or refine content, saving you time.
- Quality: AI can help improve the quality of writing, grammar, and structure.
- Customization: AI can assist in tailoring applications and CVs to specific job descriptions.
Ethical Considerations
- Honesty: Ensure that all the information provided is accurate and truthful. AI can help articulate your experiences and skills but should not fabricate them.
- Ownership: Be transparent about the use of AI if asked. Some employers may appreciate the initiative, while others may prefer purely human input.
Legal Considerations in England
There are no specific laws in England that prohibit the use of AI for drafting job applications or CVs. However, general legal principles apply:
- Misrepresentation: Providing false or misleading information on a job application or CV can have legal consequences, including termination of employment or legal action for fraud.
- Data Protection: If using AI tools that process personal data, ensure they comply with the UK’s Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with untrusted AI platforms.
Recommendations
- Accuracy: Double-check all AI-generated content for accuracy and relevance to your actual skills and experiences.
- Transparency: If asked by a potential employer, be honest about the use of AI tools in your application process.
- Privacy: Use reputable AI services that have strong data protection policies in place to safeguard your personal information.
In summary, using AI to assist in drafting job applications and CVs can be beneficial and is not illegal in England. However, ensure that the information is accurate and truthful, and be mindful of data protection principles.
If you must use AI to complete job applications or draft CVs, prepare the application or CV first. Then ask the AI to review it and make recommendations. Check for their accuracy and truthfulness. Make sure you do not breach any privacy laws but be aware your data may no longer be private and, if your prospective employer asks you if you used AI, tell them you did. It might just land you the job!
