In a previous article about applying for part time jobs, we looked at all the different ways you could leverage the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) when it comes to managing your applications.

And, if you read that article, you will see that embracing AI can be hugely helpful in saving you a lot of time and also in improving your chances of landing the part time job of your dreams.

But, as with most concepts, there are disadvantages as well as advantages to using AI. So, in this article, we are going to take a look at some of the points you need to bear in mind when using AI to help you build your CV and / or write your cover letter for a job you want. 

Using AI wisely is not about trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the recruiters. Many recruiters will accept the fact that you have used it. 

And some will even be impressed that you have made use of it to apply for the job. It shows initiative and could even be a skill you can add to those of the existing workforce.

But there are instances where it becomes obvious to recruiters that you might not have used AI so wisely. Where you have used AI to do ALL of the work for you rather than using it to assist you. 

When employers are recruiting, they need to make sure they are getting the right person for the job and you need to convince them, in an honest and authentic way, that you are the right person for the job.

Let’s take a look at some of the instances where you could lose out on landing an interview for that part time job because the recruiters have detected AI in your application. 

How Recruiters Detect The Use Of AI

Detecting AI-generated CVs and cover letters is a challenge for recruiters as technology advances. But, there are telltale clues that can be spotted if you don’t check and adjust your application thoroughly.

And recruiters employ various strategies and tools to identify these AI-generated documents, ensuring they can assess candidates accurately and fairly. They need to make sure you really do have the skills and qualities that your application says you have. 

Depending on the role you are applying for and the size of the company, some recruiters might use specialised software. Smaller companies will be using their human eye – and instincts – to tell them that your application is genuinely about you.  

Use Of Language

When you are using AI to write cover letters or create CVs, make sure the language used is your style of language. AI can write the sentences for you and give you ideas about what to include in the application for the job but the language used is often generic. Sometimes there can also be unnatural phrasing.

For any ideas, examples or complete written paragraphs that AI comes up with, make sure you read through it and add relevant information that describes your own personal skills and experiences in the workplace or beyond.

Also make sure the language flows rather than jumping between your own personal voice and the sentences AI has come up with.

Make sure the recruiter knows they are reading about you, personally. After all, you want to stand out from the competition to land that part time job. 

Just as you would with your own written work, proofread everything and check spellings and grammar as well as any word choices that you might not naturally use. 

Here are some of the pointers to look out for when you are using AI in your job applications. 

• Repetitive Phrases: AI models may inadvertently reuse certain phrases or templates, leading to repetitive language throughout the document. Read through the content and alter any repetitions, making sure the language flows naturally.
• Unnatural Language: AI-generated texts might contain awkward or unnatural phrasing that deviates from how humans typically express themselves – or from how you uniquely express yourself. Get rid of any overly complex sentences that seem out of place and are not the language you would naturally use. Your application should be clear and simple so that employers can see your skills, qualifications and experience.
• Generic Content: AI-generated documents often lack specificity and fail to highlight unique experiences or qualifications tailored to the job requirements. As with all job applications, make sure you research the company and its values and edit the AI-created content so that it describes you and why you are a good match for the job. Use AI as a framework; not as your writer. 
• No Career Progression On Your CV: AI doesn’t know the jobs you have done in the past. Neither does it know the skills you developed from that. This is the space where you can highlight any experience you have and really sell yourself to potential employers. If you don’t have the relevant work experience, be sure to highlight any transferable skills you have developed in other instances and give examples. This shows employers you are a genuine applicant who is keen to land the role on offer.
• Skills Not Related To The Job: If AI has listed skills on your CV, make sure those skills are related to the job you are actually applying for. And also, make sure you have those skills. Provide examples of how you developed those skills and show any qualifications you might have gained. Be sure to delete any unrelated skills as their presence will be a red flag for the employer.  
• Overuse of Buzzwords: AI-generated texts may rely heavily on industry buzzwords or jargon without providing meaningful context or examples to support their usage. It might also throw some industry jargon in there that has nothing to do with the job you are applying for or the field you are working in. If in doubt, you need to remove these phrases. Of course, if you are familiar with relevant industry jargon, you can use a few of these phrases to demonstrate to employers that you know your stuff. 
• Differing Language Styles Between your CV & Cover Letter: If you have used AI to both compose your cover letter and write your CV, make sure there are no disparities between the two. AI is likely to use differing language styles for each and this will show potential employers that you haven’t written these yourself. Make sure there is lots of ‘you’ in both – and reword any sentences that you know you wouldn’t usually use.

Formatting Irregularities

In addition to language style, recruiters also look for formatting irregularities that can indicate the use of AI-generated documents. 

This can be a particular problem on the layout of CVs, especially if you have a complex layout. 

While AI algorithms can replicate certain formatting styles, they may struggle with complex layouts or formatting nuances that are common in professionally crafted CVs and cover letters.

When you use AI to build your CV or construct your cover letter, be sure to check for the following mistakes that AI can make.

• Inconsistent Styling Consistency is key. A quick scan over your documents will highlight any discrepancies but you should also scrutinise your work closely to make sure the styling is consistent throughout. AI-generated documents may exhibit inconsistent font styles, sizes or spacing throughout the text. This is a giveaway that you have used automated generation rather than manual formatting.
• Poor Alignment Misaligned text, uneven margins or irregular spacing between sections can suggest that the document was generated using automated processes.
• Unconventional Layouts AI-generated documents may follow unconventional or illogical layouts that deviate from industry standards or best practices observed in human-generated CVs. Look online at CV examples within your field and ensure your CV structure matches the same standards.
• Unusual File Properties In some cases, recruiters examine file properties and metadata for anomalies that could indicate automated generation. This might be properties such as timestamps or author information associated with AI platforms or tools. Remember, it isn’t wrong to use AI, so this in itself isn’t a problem. 

A CV and a cover letter should have a cohesive structure and demonstrate to potential employers your attention to detail. Using AI to give you a structure is a smart way to begin – but you need to make sure that your own personality, individual skills and experience are the standouts. 

Making sure the formatting of your CV and cover letter is flawless demonstrates to employers that you have taken the time and effort to get it right and that you are serious about the part time job you are applying for. 

Specialised Software

If you are applying for part time jobs at larger companies, be aware that they might use specialised software to detect any AI generated content and plagiarism. 

Again, make sure you provide all of your own examples of your skills and qualities and describe any instances that back up your comments. 

Should You Use AI To Write Your CV and Cover Letters?

AI is a hugely useful tool when it comes to building your CV and writing cover letters for job applications, especially when you are applying for multiple part time roles all at the same time. 

Lots of employers use AI to help them with their recruitment process and in the workplace. And they will accept that job applicants are also using it. It’s a skill that you can bring into the workplace.

What is important is that you use AI to assist you with your CV and your cover letters rather than using it to actually do them for you. Make sure your personality shines through so that employers get an idea of you and your skills – and know that a human being has written what they are reading.

They won’t get this from the generic content created by AI.