How to Use AI & ChatGPT for Better Job Applications

In todays global job market, tailoring your resume and creating keyword-rich cover letters have become essential steps to a successful job search. But job applications with long forms that include detailed skillset questions and require multiple layers of personal information make applying to even the best jobs frustrating and time-consuming. 

And honestly, who has that kind of time?

So in a progressively digital world, rather than devoting all of your resources to one potential job, it's time to start putting tech to work for you to make the job search and application process manageable. How? Start leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) and tools like ChatGPT for job applications to streamline your work and drastically reduce the time and energy you spend on potential positions.

Want to save time and leverage AI for job applications? Sign up for Teal today.

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How to use AI for your job applications

Watch the video below, and read on to learn how to complete a job application with the help of ChatGPT in a matter of minutes.

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What is ChatGPT, and how does it work?

At the heart of its service, ChatGPT is an advanced artificial intelligence program capable of understanding and processing natural language. But let's dive in a little deeper.

ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art language model developed by OpenAI. And it generates human-like responses to natural language inputs. In other words, ChatGPT can understand and interpret your text and provide relevant, valuable replies based on its vast knowledge base and machine learning algorithms. ChatGPT can be used for many different purposes, like language translation, content creation, career advice, customer support, and ... you guessed it, job applications.

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Benefits of using AI for job applications

Using AI like ChatGPT for the entire job application process can provide significant advantages in today's competitive market. Some of these benefits include:  

• Saves time: An AI-powered tool can help you create tailored resumes and cover letters quickly and easily. With tools like the Resume Builder, you can add your information once, then select which work experiences to include in each resume to best fit the job you're applying for.    

• Increases efficiency: Automate repetitive tasks like job tracking to maintain organizing, application status information, and follow-ups. (Check out Teal’s Job Application Tracker feature to see for yourself.)

• Personalization: Analyze your skills, experience, and preferences to create personalized job recommendations and help you find opportunities that fit your background and career goals.

• Improves success: By generating tailored resumes and cover letters, you'll stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing a job interview and, ultimately, a job.

• Enhances skills: A tool like ChatGPT can provide feedback and insights on your job search strategies, helping you identify areas for improvement and develop new skills to improve your employability.

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Challenges of using ChatGPT and AI for job applications

While technology like AI is incredibly beneficial, it can also have drawbacks. So what are some challenges you should consider when using tools like ChatGPT across your job application workflow:

• Lack of personal touch: AI is programmed to scan a large amount of information and identify information based on predefined criteria. While this can be efficient, it can also be impersonal. Artificial intelligence may not consider other important factors that a human recruiter or talent acquisition representative might consider.

• Misinterpretation of data: AI can misinterpret data or miss important details, leading to incorrect identification of skills. This can be frustrating for any job seeker looking for a specific job or with a particular skill set.

• Limited ability to judge soft skills: While artificial intelligence is good at identifying hard skills (like programming languages or certifications), it could be more proficient at identifying soft skills such as communication or teamwork 

• Potential interview obstacle: Relying too much on AI can create challenges during interviews. If your application lacks a personal touch or misrepresents your skills, it might not accurately reflect your capabilities in a face-to-face interview, potentially impacting your chances of getting the job.

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How to use ChatGPT for job applications

To lessen the workload of what’s become an elaborate and arduous operation, it’s vital to leverage technology like AI and ChatGPT to increase efficiency in your job search and application process. So let’s get into it! 

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Use ChatGPT to research the company's history

Understanding a company's history can give you valuable insights and help you tailor your application.

With ChatGPT, you can easily gather information about when the company was founded, its key milestones, and growth over the years. This context not only helps you in interviews but also allows you to customize your cover letter and resume to align with the company's journey and values. You can dive into the company's mission, major achievements, and even challenges  faced, giving you a well-rounded perspective.

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How to use AI to do company research

Use AI like ChatGPT to gather information about company culture, values, recent news, and employee reviews by simply asking ChatGPT.

Here's a prompt you can try:

"What's the company culture like at [Company Name], and what recent news or events are notable? Use your live browsing for the most recent information."

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Use ChatGPT to tailor your resume

Every job has a unique set of required skills, and not all roles—even in the same industry with similar titles—seek the same qualifications. And while some responsibilities might carry over, you can stand out if you tailor your resume to a job description, highlight what you’ve done that’s pertinent to the role, and seamlessly incorporate relevant language and keywords.

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How to use ChatGPT for your resume

1. In the prompt, type “Write resume achievements with metrics based on these job responsibilities.“
2. Then, Use "shift + enter" to separate lines, and paste the job description you want your achievements tailored to below.
3. After you’ve finished and are satisfied with the output from ChatGPT, copy and paste them into any document you can edit directly. 
4. ChatGPT gave you a good starting point; now, carefully read the content and input your data from previous roles in the metrics.
5. Finally, double-check accuracy, grammar, and spelling. 
6. Once you’ve made any necessary changes, copy the final content as bullet points into your resume.

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How AI can help your resume

Teal's free AI-powered resume creator makes it easy to pull job descriptions from the Job Application Tracker and integrate any content from ChatGPT to build a unique resume for every job. Just copy and paste each accomplishment, one at a time, into your achievements under your work experience.

‍Sign up for a free Teal account to try it yourself.

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Use ChatGPT for job application questions

When it comes to job applications, some of the questions asked overlap with what's already mentioned in your resume or cover letter.

Questions like "What were your responsibilities in your previous role?" or "Can you share a project you're proud of and the results it achieved?" are expected. But don't worry; you can leverage artificial intelligence and the information in your application materials to help you answer these questions efficiently.

ChatGPT can quickly analyze your resume and cover letter, pulling relevant information and formatting it into well-structured responses. This way, you can save time and ensure your answers are consistent and compelling.

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How to use AI to answer job application questions

Job applications often come with supplementary questions that require detailed responses, which can be time-consuming.

Let's explore how you can leverage AI to efficiently answer job application questions. For example, let's tackle the question, "What experience do you have in growth marketing?"

1. In the ChatGPT prompt, type, “Skim my resume below to identify my previous experience in growth marketing. Write a paragraph answer in persuasive, intellectual, and clear language describing my specific content marketing experience as though you were me.” 
2. Then, use "Shift" + "Enter" to separate the lines and paste the text from your resume.
3. Try this a few times until you’re satisfied with the results.
4. Once you’ve finished, copy and paste your results into any document you can edit directly. Then, carefully read the answer, checking for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. 
5. After that, copy and paste the response into the application, and you’re all set!

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Use ChatGPT to write a personalized cover letter

Many jobs you apply for may request a customized cover letter that speaks specifically to the company and position.

Much like unique resumes, cover letters should highlight what you’ve accomplished relevant to the role while persuading those hiring that you’re the best fit for the job. It might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Using ChatGPT to write your cover letter can make this practice seamless. 

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How to use AI to write a cover letter

1. In the ChatGPT prompt, type “In 150 words or less, craft a conversational and persuasive cover letter for a job application to [company] as a [position], incorporating the details provided below.”
2. Then, use "shift + enter" to separate lines, and include your resume and the job description.
3. Try this a few times until you’re satisfied with the results. And remember, ChatGPT is only as good as the prompt you write. Being specific with your needs will help generate ideas—play around with it! 
4. Once you’ve finished, copy and paste your results into any document you can edit directly. Then, carefully read the letter. Does it sound like a person wrote it? (This is why using the word “conversational” is vital in the prompt!) Does it accurately speak to what you’ve done and what you’re capable of?
5. After you’ve made any changes, double-check grammar and spelling, then copy and paste it into a cover letter template.

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Pro Tip: Follow these same steps for writing your professional summary; just change the prompt to, “In 50 words or less, craft a conversational professional summary for a job application to [company] as a [position], incorporating the details provided below.”

Want to skip ChatGPT altogether and save yourself the hassle? Just use Teal to write a tailored cover letter with AI functionality in seconds.

Sign up and try it yourself for free.

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Use AI to apply for jobs

Using AI to apply for jobs can revolutionize your application process, making it faster, more efficient, and less prone to errors.

Here are several ways AI can help you with job applications:

1. Autofill basic information: AI can automatically fill in repetitive fields like your name, contact details, and employment history, ensuring accuracy and saving you time.
2. Generate personalized answers: For open-ended questions, AI can create customized, well-crafted responses based on your resume and profile, ensuring your answers are relevant and compelling.
3. Consistency across applications: AI helps maintain a consistent tone and messaging across all your applications, reducing the risk of errors or conflicting information.
4. Speed up the process: By handling both simple and complex application fields, AI significantly reduces the time it takes to complete each application, allowing you to apply to more jobs in less time.

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Autofill your job applications with AI

Want to use AI to apply for jobs? Now you can.

Teal's latest autofill application feature allows you to use AI to answer the questions on your job applications. From simple questions like "first name" or "current company" to challenging ones like "why are you a good fit for this role?", you can save hours in your process by leveraging AI to apply for jobs.

Start moving faster and accelerate your job search with Teal.

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Use ChatGPT to prepare for job interviews

After you've submitted an application, the benefits of using AI don't stop. Preparing for job interviews is next! And ChatGPT can help you practice effectively.

By asking ChatGPT to provide you with common interview questions and tailored questions specific to the role you're applying for, you can simulate a real interview scenario. This preparation helps you hone your responses, improve your confidence, and ensure you're ready to tackle any question that comes your way during the actual interview.

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How to use AI for job interview preparation

Using AI for job interview preparation can help you practice and refine your responses. Here are a few prompts you can use with ChatGPT to get started:

• "Please give me interview questions for a senior frontend developer role."
• "What are some common interview questions for a marketing manager position?"
• "Generate a list of behavioral interview questions for a project manager."
• "Can you provide me with interview questions tailored for a data analyst role?"

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Use ChatGPT to follow up with hiring managers

Once you’ve applied for a job, your next few steps regarding following up with the hiring manager can make a massive difference. This is especially true now as the job market is highly competitive. A great rule of thumb is to try emailing the company once a week for three weeks after applying.

Use your time wisely while you wait to hear back, and focus on some other job search tasks. For example, you could use ChatGPT to help you prepare answers for potential interview questions. Or maybe brainstorm some ideas for your LinkedIn profile to make it stand out. And remember to network with recruiters too.

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How to use AI to write follow-up emails

1. In the ChatGPT prompt, type “Write a persuasive 50-word follow-up email for a job application for the [job title you applied for] at [company name where you applied] to [name of hiring manager].
2. Tweak the prompt until you’re pleased with the result. (You can also use the same prompt for the second and third emails!)
3. Once you’ve finished, copy and paste your results into your document so that you can edit directly. Then check for accuracy, spelling, and grammar. 
4. After that, copy and paste the response into an email template, and you’re ready to hit send!   

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Pro Tip: Want to skip the steps? Teal's built-in email templates can help you speed up your job search. They have everything you need to follow up with hiring managers, contacts, and more.

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Examples of ChatGPT prompts for job applications

Just like with any communication, the more context you provide, the better quality you’ll get and the more useful the response will be.

Using ChatGPT prompts for job applications can be a game-changer throughout the job search process. The prompts can provide a structured framework that ensure job seekers cover all the essential skills, experiences, and accomplishments. They can also guide you in addressing common challenges and incorporating industry-specific keywords into tailored application materials, making you stand out among other candidates.

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10 example ChatGPT job search prompts

Here are 10 job application prompt examples you can use while job searching:

• "Using my resume and the following job description, match the top three skills I should address in my job application for this [Job Title] role."
• "I'm trying to decide whether to apply to a certain job or not. Compare my resume with the following job description to evaluate my capability for the [Job Title] role.
• "I am considering a career shift from education to marketing. Use my resume and the following job description to pull out relevant experiences. Then, generate multiple responses to the question, 'Why are you a good fit for this role?' using the skills pulled from my resume and the JD."
• "Can you suggest some job search strategies for those looking for part-time or freelance work?"
• "I am applying for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Provide suggestions on ways to optimize my resume to demonstrate a strong cultural fit."
• "What are some effective ways to improve my personal branding for job search?"
• "Can you provide me with tips for job searching while currently employed?"
• "I applied for [Job Title] and want to also send a job application email to the hiring manager/potential employer. Using my resume and the attached job description, generate a professional job application email using aligned content from both documents."
• "Browse through the following job board and pull the top 10 jobs that most closely match my experience." (paste specific job boards below the prompt)
• "Can you suggest some professional organizations to join for networking purposes?"

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Leverage AI in your job search with Teal

The job search and application process has become all-consuming for job seekers over the last several years. Incorporating tools like ChatGPT and AI into your workflow can help make this more manageable and efficient—giving you time to focus on the things that matter, like landing your dream job, because you have the capacity.

Sign up for Teal for free and start using AI to tailor your resume, create keyword-rich cover letters, automate your job tracking, and more!