Guidelines on the use of Generative AI in the recruitment process

At the Careers Service, we continually learn about developments in the student and graduate job market. Through speaking to employers and the creators of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software, we know that AI continues to shape and revolutionise the landscape of future careers; AI is not going anywhere, it is evolving at pace.

We are not steering you away from using Generative AI (GenAI) tools. We recognise that GenAI can be a helpful tool in your job hunt and job application e.g. crafting a CV. Our advice is solely from a careers perspective and is not guidance on using GenAI for your academic work, please check with your School for advice.

There are a number of different AI tools. For example, you may have interacted with the University’s AskEdHelp chatbot service which was launched in April 2024. This integrates AI technology with the University’s call management system to help you find the information you’re looking for related to your studies e.g. Library, IT support. Also, the University’s Edinburgh Language Model (ELM) platform, is a supported AI platform for general use and innovation. You can think of ELM as the University’s internal version of ChatGPT, where you can login with your University details and interact with it securely, without concerns about data privacy or your information being sold. The roll out of ELM to students is on a school by school basis – so watch out for updates from your school.

The most important thing to understand is the employer’s position on the use of GenAI; so follow their guidance. Some employers may state on their website that they will not accept applications which have been generated by AI. Failure to follow their guidance may have repercussions such as your application being rejected or a job offer being rescinded if the use of GenAI is detected later on in the process.

When it comes to job applications, it’s essential to understand how to use GenAI tools in ways that help you. We’ve curated advice and insights from Arctic Shores, creators of AI software, so that you can learn how to make GenAI work for you. With permission from Arctic Shores, we’ve adapted text from “The pragmatist’s playbook for skills-based hiring”, under the following three sub-headings. 

Arctic Shores - The pragmatist's playbook for skills-based hiring

Use GenAI to refine and articulate your ideas. It’s a tool to help structure your thoughts and improve clarity, not to replace your unique voice and experiences. Don’t just copy and paste what ChatGPT tells you to write. Don’t rely on the “automated personalisation” promise by some new AI tools. If you do, you’ll submit a generic application that looks the same as everyone else – and that won’t help you stand out from the crowd.

Your application should reflect who you are. Your unique personal experiences, perspectives, and skills are valued. And while GenAI might be able to help you bring that to life or offer ideas, it can’t replace your individuality or creativity.

If you’re not your authentic self when using GenAI, this will not be looked favourably upon by recruiters:

• they can detect factual inaccuracies
• an absence of context in answers; not evidencing your points with specific examples of your work experience.
• If you’re not a native English speaker, bear in mind that you don’t want to present a false level of your English language ability.

GenAI can be a valuable resource in understanding the types of questions you might be asked throughout the recruitment process and the different stages involved. Use it as a tool for research and preparation, but don’t rely on it solely as you may struggle to stand out as an interesting and informed candidate. And, there is the risk that information provided by GenAI is not always accurate.

For example, psychometric assessments are designed to help you, as well as the organisation you’re applying for, to determine whether you’re a good fit for the role. They are designed to help your unique personality and strengths shine and using a tool that doesn’t show your true capabilities and strengths could mean you find yourself in a role that you don’t enjoy and you don’t perform well in. This is why we recommend that you don’t try to use GenAI tools to complete your psychometric assessment.

• It can be a time saver; it can provide a reasonable basic structure for you to build upon if you’re struggling to get started.
• It can summarise lengthy pieces of text such as job descriptions.
• You can use prompts to communicate effectively with GenAI, providing it with the information it needs to generate relevant and accurate output e.g. you can use prompts to generate suggested questions for interview preparation. See below for our suggestions for effective prompting.
• It can offer instant feedback on spelling, grammar and tone. (Note: some are set to American English so always do your own spell check.)

• It may be stating the obvious, but GenAI can’t attend interviews on your behalf! Remember, an employer will use an interview to assess your motivation and suitability for the role, as well as your knowledge and understanding of the organisation.
• You may be risking plagiarism, as these systems incorporate in their output content produced by other people without acknowledging or referencing them.
• Your personal data could be at risk. Be cautious about submitting any personal data, as whatever you put in could end up in the public domain. 
• It can provide inaccurate information. If the data that GenAI systems are trained on is biased or inaccurate, the responses can also be biased or inaccurate as the GenAI tools can’t reliably distinguish between such material when responding. GenAI can also invent facts so don’t use it as the only source for research; cross check with other sources.

Prompts are crucial for effective communication with GenAI systems because they serve as the guiding force that shapes the AI’s responses, ensuring that the generated output aligns with the user’s needs and expectations.​ Whichever GenAI tool you use, the principles of crafting a prompt remain the same:

Clear: Be clear about your goal before you start. Specify what you want to achieve by asking a question or giving an instruction e.g. generating text for a cover letter or CV, asking for industry trends, or for a list of questions to help you prepare for an interview.

Remember: Remember your audience and tell GenAI who it should act as

 e.g.

• I am a 2^nd year Politics student with experience in bartending and working in a shoe shop and would like help with drafting a one-page CV for a part-time summer job at the Edinburgh Fringe. Ask me if you need further details.

OR

• I am a 3^rd year Chemistry student preparing for a competency-based interview for a summer Employ.ed on Campus internship. Here is the job specification and person specification. I would like a comprehensive list of suggested interview questions.

Aid: Aid GenAI output with parameters such as word count, format and style e.g. please limit your answer to 200 words and please use a professional tone.

Further ideas: Get fresh ideas by testing out different outputs and adding additional prompts/questions to help formulate the response and edit to personalise the content.

Tailor: Remember that GenAI is a starting point. Review and tailor the language. Consider whether it is easy to understand and avoids jargon except when required for the task. Does it sound like you?