Utilizing Generative AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, can be useful tools to support students’ career readiness needs. Leveraging AI can help you with navigating career exploration, streamlining job/internship search, and crafting resumes and cover letters.

That said, the most effective use of these tools starts with your own, original content; what makes you distinctive. Asking for help with incomplete, rough drafts are a great way to leverage AI’s strengths while still communicating what you have to offer and to do so in your own voice.

Similarly, you are responsible for the information you submit on your behalf so be sure to verify any information generated using AI. Whether you’re writing, researching, or job searching, it’s important to fact-check, maintain academic or professional integrity, and use AI to enhance—not replace—your own critical thinking and writing. 

We encourage you to be knowledgeable about available AI resources, but also be aware of limitations and ethical use of these tools.  Refer to Berkeley Appropriate Use of Generative AI Tools guidelines. 

For individualized support, make an appointment with a Career Educator or drop-in to meet with a Career Peer Advisor.

Considerations: 

• Begin With Your Own Content: Generative AI can be a great tool to brainstorm ideas or enhance your content; however, it should not replace your own work. 
• Check for Accuracy: Generative AI is not always accurate as information that it pulls from may not always be correct or up-to-date.  Carefully review information to check for accuracy. 
• Evaluate Potential Bias: Generative AI is trained based on information that it receives.  If there are inaccuracies or diverse data is not provided for training; there may be some bias in the information it generates. 
• Preserve Your Privacy: Sharing personally identifiable information with AI can open you up to vulnerabilities. For example, if you insert your resume into the chat for feedback, do so without including your name, email address, phone number, etc.
• Check with Employers on Use of AI: Employers may have guidelines and instructions on utilizing AI in your resume, cover letters, and interviews.
• Engage with and Ask Questions: By asking questions and utilizing more specific and targeted prompts, you can generate content that highlights your particular skills and capabilities, is more nuanced in tone, and comes across as less generic.
  Sample AI Prompts

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  • Explore Potential Career Paths/Job Opportunities

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    You can use Generative AI to identify and research potential career paths that align with your interests, skills, values, and experiences. 

    Sample Prompts: 

    • Based on my interests in [insert interests]; my skills/competencies in [insert skills/competencies]; and the experiences outlined in my resume [paste resume content without name and contact information]; current career ideas including [insert career interests]; suggest 10 potential career ideas

    • Provide skills, experience and qualifications needed to become a [insert career or job title]?

  • Build and Enhance Your Resume and Cover Letter

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    Generative AI can help analyze job descriptions and identify keywords that employers may be looking for in candidates. Many employers will use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter resumes for keywords. It can also help you customize your content to demonstrate the specific skills and experiences for each job description. 

    Keep in mind that recruiters have technology to spot the use of AI in resumes and cover letters. In addition to making sure the content conveys your unique experience, be ready to explain what is in your resume during an interview.

    ** Generative AI can be helpful to create and refine your content, but be sure to review your resume and cover letters to ensure that they communicate your voice and experiences.  

    Sample Prompts: 

    • Given the job description below, provide a concise bullet point list of areas I could improve in my resume.  My resume: [insert resume without your name and contact information]. Job description: [insert job description]

    • What details can I include to strengthen this resume bullet point [bullet point] based on the following job description: [insert job description]

    • This is my current cover letter: [insert cover letter]. Please suggest 5 ways I could improve my cover letter for the following job: [insert job description]

    • Does this resume address all the main job duties listed in the job description: [insert resume and job description]

  • Prepare for Interviews

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    Generative AI can be a useful tool in preparing for interviews.  It can help generate common questions for a particular role or industry, provide the opportunity to test-drive your responses to anticipated questions, and suggest recommendations for responses. Big Interview utilizes AI to support your interview preparation process. 

    Sample Prompts: 

    • What might a hiring manager/recruiter at [insert company name] ask regarding this role [insert job description], based on my experience [insert resume]?

    • What behavioral interview questions should I expect to be asked for an entry level [insert job title]?

    • Given the following job posting, provide 5 example questions I could ask the interviewers at the end of the interview to learn more about the role. [insert job posting]

    • Write a 5 sentence friendly and respectful thank you note email to the [Company Name] interview team incorporating the information from the internship posting below. [insert job posting]

  • Tips for Technical Interviews

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    Many employers do not currently allow the use of generative AI during technical interviews. However, some employers are allowing candidates to use the generative AI of their choosing and others want candidates to use the company’s AI tool.

    Employers have processes and technology to spot the use of AI in technical assessments and behavioral interviews. If the use of AI is allowed, employers may assess how candidates prompt AI strategically to help make their work more efficient while being able to assess AI’s output. Candidates need to have fundamental technical knowledge and skills and should not rely on AI to do the work or problem solve for them.

    Sample Prompt: 

    • How are you going to use AI to 10 x your productivity?

  • Connect with Professionals and Networking

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    Get suggestions on people to network with, questions to ask in an informational interview, or how to craft an email request to a professional. 

    Sample Prompts: 

    • I’m an undergraduate student trying to figure out my career path. Please generate 10 questions for the following LinkedIn profile that will help me learn about their career path and get some career advice. [insert Linkedin Profile]  

    • Based on my resume, generate a short and engaging elevator pitch I can use for networking. [insert resume without your name and contact information]

    • Based on [insert industry], what are good questions to ask during an informational interview?

    • Based on [insert industry], what are good questions to ask to explore job or internship opportunities?