The job market is changing faster than ever, and AI is becoming a big part of that shift. From finance and education to job search and even social media, AI is now woven into almost everything we do. It’s no longer just a buzzword. It is shaping the way industries and businesses operate, including how people find opportunities.
Now, think about this: if a company receives 500 job applications for one position, it will take hours, if not days to review each. This is why companies rely on AI to speed up the hiring process, filtering resumes, identifying top candidates, and making recruitment more efficient. Regrettably, the use of AI has been bastardized by job seekers and individuals in the professional space.
To put this into perspective, the just concluded MyJobMag Career Kickstart Scholarship Program received over 700 applications. We discovered that many applicants had the same application with the use of AI which disqualified most of them.
So in order to help professionals and job seekers, MyJobMag partnered with Zummit Africa to host a webinar on how to use AI effectively and leverage it to land a job.
The session featured experts from the AI and recruitment space, sharing practical insights into how AI is used in hiring, how job seekers can use AI tools effectively, and how to avoid common mistakes that hurt their chances of getting hired.
The job search process has evolved, with AI now playing a central role in recruitment. Over 50% of recruiters likely use AI to screen resumes, analyzing key points to determine how well a candidate aligns with the job description.
Before a human ever sees your CV, AI scans it for relevant keywords, experience, and formatting, assigning it a match percentage. If your resume doesn’t meet the AI’s criteria, it gets rejected automatically, regardless of your qualifications. This means that even if you have the right experience, you might never get the chance to showcase it if your resume isn’t AI-optimized.
Understanding how AI works in hiring is no longer optional. It is essential. Even beyond resume screening, AI is used to determine candidate ranking and interview evaluations. It doesn’t just assess qualifications but also determines cultural fit based on hiring patterns.
Job seekers who fail to adapt to AI-driven recruitment put themselves at a disadvantage. How AI Can Simplify Your Job Search
Think of AI as a brain that is smarter than you, not to control your decisions but to assist you in automating tedious tasks, personalizing applications, and providing data-driven insights.
When used strategically, AI can help you find jobs faster, tailor your resume to specific roles, and even prepare for interviews. In a market where millions of job seekers are competing for the same opportunities, AI gives you an advantage by working smarter, not harder.
In addition, many job seekers struggle with knowing where to look, which jobs match their skills, or even how to access hidden opportunities. AI simplifies this by narrowing down your search, matching your skills and preferences with relevant job postings.
Job platforms like LinkedIn and MyJobMag, for instance, use sophisticated algorithms to provide personalized job recommendations, ensuring that you’re applying for roles that fit your expertise and career goals.
HubSpot’s AI-powered job search suite also offers over 20 AI tools to assist with applications, interview prep, and networking.
One of the most game-changing insights from the webinar was the importance of prompt engineering. That is, the skill of giving AI clear, structured, and strategic instructions to get useful, customized responses. The better your AI prompt, the better your AI-generated responses.
Many job seekers type vague prompts into AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, or Claude, leading to generic, robotic outputs. As speakers at the webinar advised, candidates should always use detailed and role-specific prompts to generate high-quality AI-assisted resumes, cover letters, and interview answers.
AI prompt engineering can be an incredibly effective way to customize interview preparation for specific roles. Let us look at three types of prompt engineering:
Zero-Shot Prompting – A simple request like “I need a job as a customer service agent. What questions should I expect in an interview?" will provide a broad set of relevant questions.
Few-Shot Prompting – A more refined approach would be: "I studied Human Resources and have two years of experience in recruitment. I want to land a mid-level HR position. What are the key interview questions I should prepare for?" This allows AI to give more specific and role-based advice.
Role-Based Prompting – By specifying a scenario, such as "You are the Head of Human Resources at a company. Mentor me on how to prepare for a customer service interview," AI can generate highly targeted interview prep strategies.
Sequence Prompting – This involves guiding AI through step-by-step interview preparation. For example, you can say "Give me a structured approach to preparing for a software development interview, covering technical questions, behavioural questions, and common problem-solving scenarios." By layering AI prompts in this way, candidates can build comprehensive preparation strategies that mirror real-world interviews.
Preparing for interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when competing for highly sought-after roles. The pressure to perform well, demonstrate expertise, and communicate confidently can send cold shivers down your spine. However, AI has emerged as a powerful tool to help job seekers practice, refine, and improve their interview skills before facing a recruiter.
AI-powered interview preparation tools like Big Interview, and InterviewBuddy, simulate real-life interviews, providing instant feedback on body language, tone, confidence, and communication skills. These tools analyze how well you answer questions, highlighting areas of improvement and helping you fine-tune your delivery.
Bear in mind that AI has been trained on thousands—if not millions—of past interviews, making it capable of identifying what successful candidates do right and where others fall short.
Most hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter through thousands of resumes. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly or doesn’t have the right keywords, it may never be seen by a recruiter. Ensure to incorporate the keywords found in the job description. And keep formatting simple. Avoid tables, images, and complex designs that AI struggles to read. You can use AI-powered resume tools like Jobscan, Kickresume, Incruiter to optimize your resume. Google also has an extension you can add to your browser to get your ATS resume score for free. That is, the KudosWall ATS checker. But be careful not to overload your resume with keywords.
A common mistake job seekers make is copy-pasting AI-generated cover letters. To use AI to craft a compelling cover letter, do this instead:
● Write Your Own First: Create a base cover letter highlighting your strengths and career achievements.
● Feed the AI the Job Description: Paste the job description into ChatGPT or Gemini and ask it to adjust your cover letter accordingly.
● Edit and Personalize: Remove robotic language, add a human touch, and customize it for each job.
● Use AI to Proofread: Grammarly and QuillBot can refine your writing for clarity and professionalism.
● Avoid AI-generated Clichés: Instead, make your cover letter authentic by using your own experiences and specific reasons for applying.
Artificial intelligence (AI) as earlier mentioned is like having an extra brain. That is, a virtual brain that can store more information, process data faster, and provide insights that your natural brain may not immediately recall. It can recognize patterns, generate words, and even predict trends.
But there’s a catch: this virtual brain is not unique to you. Many others have access to the same AI technology, which means that relying solely on AI without adding your personal touch can make your CV or application look generic and unoriginal.
Copying AI-generated responses verbatim will disqualify you from many jobs. The best way to use AI for interviews is to train with it, refine answers, and develop a structured approach while ensuring that every response still reflects your unique strengths, personality, and experiences. AI should assist your creativity and critical thinking, not replace them.
Also remember that AI doesn’t always provide accurate or up-to-date information, especially regarding industry trends, company cultures, and job descriptions. So always fact-check AI responses.
AI can also guide your career trajectory by suggesting skills to develop and learning paths to follow. You can use ChatGPT or DeepSeek to create a personalized learning roadmap for your industry. You can also ask AI for case study practice questions relevant to your field. For instance, if you are a programmer, you can leverage AI coding assistants to improve your programming skills. Some of them include Datalab, Codeium, Amazon Q Developer.
● How can I make my resume AI-friendly without losing the human touch?
Ensure your resume is ATS-friendly by using clear formatting, job-relevant keywords, and quantifiable achievements. However, avoid robotic language. Balance AI optimization with a natural, engaging tone that highlights your personality.
● What are the best AI tools for job seekers?
Some recommended tools include Jobscan (for resume optimization), ChatGPT/Gemini (for personalized cover letters), Big Interview (for AI-driven mock interviews), and MyJobMag (for sophisticated job matching).
● How can I use AI to tailor my applications for different job roles?
You can use AI-powered resume analyzers to match your resume to job descriptions. AI can also refine cover letters by adjusting wording based on the specific job requirements. However, always personalize the final draft.
● What AI mistakes should I avoid?
Common mistakes include copying AI-generated content verbatim, keyword stuffing in resumes, and failing to personalize applications. AI should enhance your job search, not replace your own input.
● Is AI replacing human recruiters?
No. AI assists recruiters by automating repetitive tasks, but final hiring decisions still require human judgment for cultural fit, soft skills, and leadership potential.
● How does AI-powered job matching work, and how can I use it to my advantage?
AI-powered job matching works by using machine learning algorithms to analyze job descriptions, candidate profiles, and industry trends to recommend the most suitable job opportunities. To use it to your advantage, try AI-driven platforms and resume analyzers, refine your job preferences, and apply proactively.
● What are some ethical considerations when using AI for job applications?
Avoid fabricating skills or experiences. AI can enhance your resume, but honesty is key.
AI is transforming the job market, making it easier to find opportunities, refine applications, and prepare for interviews. However, its real power lies in how it is used. If you treat AI as a tool rather than a master, you can unlock new job opportunities while maintaining originality and authenticity in your applications. Adapt, personalize, and use AI wisely to stay ahead in today’s competitive job market.
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