'Same Cover Letters, Identical Responses': Career Coach Says Gen Z Is Misusing ChatGPT For Job Applications

ChatGPT has empowered even those who aren't adept writers to compose in a smooth, cohesive manner. This has proven immensely beneficial for job seekers who need to craft resumes. However, it poses a potential risk: job candidates who rely on ChatGPT for resume writing may inadvertently harm their chances of success.

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI in November 2022 that offers responses to a wide range of questions asked.

AI not being used in the right way for crafting job applications

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Shoshana Davis, a career expert from Gen Z and the founder of a career consultancy, shared with CNBC Make It how young professionals are making errors with AI tools like ChatGPT when creating job application responses and cover letters.

Also read: Career Via ChatGPT: Here's How ChatGPT Can Help In Job Search & Taking Crucial Career Decisions

Davis explained that she regularly communicates with businesses and employers who recruit varying numbers of Generation Z individuals annually.

One significant issue she has observed is the inappropriate and ineffective utilisation of AI, particularly ChatGPT.

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She elaborated that employers have become suspicious because they have received hundreds of identical cover letters word for word, or identical responses to job application queries.

Identical responses noticed to one query

Interestingly, a survey conducted by Canva in January on 5,000 hiring managers and 5,000 job seekers from various countries including India, US, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, and Brazil revealed that 45 percent of job seekers have utilised AI tools to create or enhance their resumes.

Also read: How Students Can Use ChatGPT For Help In Writing Their Assignments

Sharing a recent incident, Davis said that candidates were prompted with a question in the job application regarding their favorite fitness-related product launches from the past year.

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She recounted that approximately 100 candidates submitted identical responses citing "Peloton" as their favorite campaign launch.

The recruiter realised that these responses were likely generated by ChatGPT, and pointed out that Peloton had been released several years prior.

Davis emphasised the importance of young professionals educating themselves on how to effectively use ChatGPT rather than simply copying answers.

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