There’s a lot of concern out there about what artificial intelligence is going to do on the employment front, but I’ve heard that job seekers really can use AI to their advantage. Is that true? And how can people looking for a job get help from AI?

Marc Cenedella, founder of Leet Resumes, is a good person to ask, considering he has been working in the AI and machine-learning space for three years.

“I am confident in saying job applicants can view AI as a friend rather than a foe,” says Cenedella, who recommends that job seekers use “specialized AI platforms to ensure outputs are specifically tailored to their unique needs.”

“AI can be a valuable resource in several ways,” says Amelia Thomas, head of marketing for FlexiPCB.

The areas in which AI can enhance results during a job search include:

• Job recommendations. According to Thomas, AI-powered platforms can analyze your skills, experience, and preferences to recommend relevant job opportunities that align with your profile.

“This saves time and helps you discover positions you may not have come across otherwise,” she says.

And while Cenedella says specialized AI is best for creating resumes, he notes that generic models can be useful in interview planning.

“It’s very helpful to prompt, ‘Give me a 500-word summary of (company name) written for someone applying for a job there.’ This will help you get a good summary of the company’s business,” he explains. “A job seeker can then ask, ‘Based on this pasted job description, what are the likely three top things the company is looking for in this candidate?’”

• Resume and cover-letter assistance.

“AI tools can help optimize keywords, offer formatting recommendations and enhance the overall effectiveness of your application materials,” Thomas says.

• Skill development. AI-based learning platforms can recommend personalized training programs and courses based on your desired skills and career goals.

“This can help you enhance your qualifications and stay competitive in the job market,” Thomas notes.

• Interview preparation. Because AI chatbots and virtual interview platforms can simulate interview scenarios, you can practice and refine responses to typical interview questions.

“This helps build confidence, improve communication skills and enhance performance during interviews,” Thomas says.

• Networking and job-market insights.

“AI-powered platforms can assist you in expanding your professional network by suggesting relevant connections and networking opportunities,” says Thomas, who notes that they can also provide market insights, such as salary ranges and industry trends, to help you make informed career decisions.

As helpful as AI can be in a job search, Thomas adds one caution for anyone about to embark on a job search.

“It is essential to complement AI tools with personal networking efforts and traditional job-search strategies for a well-rounded approach,” she stresses.

Cenedella also says it is important to clarify that ChatGPT and similar large language models “aren’t really artificial intelligence.”

“They’re more like artificial conventional wisdom,” he says. “They simply predict the next word that should appear based on analysis of everything ever written. It produces generic, formulaic responses that won’t help anyone stand out. To leverage these services well, you need a firm understanding of what prompts to input, and that can be a job in itself.”