Recruiters reveal how they can spot AI-written job applications
You might think you have hidden every sign that you used ChatGPT or that it's so subtle, no one will know...
Job hunting is tough, and the job market can be relentless.
One of the most stressful parts of securing a new job? The interview process.
READ: Eviction warning for South Africans living in complexes and sectional titles
You need to make a great first impression, prove you're the perfect fit, answer every question flawlessly, and balance personality with professionalism – all in just a few minutes.
According to experts, recruiters and potential employers may not even need that long.
It takes just seven seconds for them to form a first impression.
READ: Home affairs introduces doorstep passport delivery for South Africans abroad
While that might sound like a lot of pressure, before you even get to that part, you need to make sure your CV is good enough.
Many components make up a CV and a job application.
READ: These jobs pay higher than the average salary in SA
There's listing accomplishments, work experience and information, and extra elements such as cover letters, letters of recommendation and really anything else potential employers might request.
So if you want to save some time instead of rewriting every letter and editing your application for every job, you might consider using an AI chatbot to help you get it done much quicker.
READ: Stupid questions people ask during work interviews
However, it's important to note that recruiters are paying very close attention.
Bonnie Dilber, a recruiting manager with app-automation company Zapier, told HuffPost that "easily 25% of apps appear to be AI-generated".
READ: Ghosted after an interview? You're not alone
Does using these tools influence your chances of landing the job negatively?
According to Dilber, it doesn't make a favourable impression, as it might signal that the person doesn't know what they're talking about or doesn't know how to utilise AI-generated content and make it blend with their own ideas.
There is no issue with using AI as a starting point.
READ: 12 high-paying jobs in SA that don't require a degree
How can recruiters tell?
The biggest red flag is that your application reads like a copy-pasted, unoriginal and robotic template.
If you're using an AI-powered writing assistant, you're likely not the only one, meaning there are hundreds of other job candidates doing the same.
READ: Over 70% of Gen Zers take their parents to job interviews
As recruiters sift through the applications, those created using AI become apparent, as they often share similar sentence structures and identical case studies.
Dilber gives the following example: "Asking, 'Why are you interested in this position?' on a job application. Then receiving candidates who use the same word-for-word response, such as 'Company’s mission of 'insert mission statement' resonates with me and my experience in ‘insert their current job.’”
After seeing this exact same response over and over again, it becomes clear that the candidates are all using AI.
WATCH: 5 things you should lie about in job interviews
Another somewhat shocking example is when the application asked about how to use Zapier's product, which automates tasks.
Dilber says, "A bunch of people all came up with the same use case of a flower shop. First time I saw it, it was cute. The next few times, it becomes obvious they all plugged this into the same tool.”
READ: AI safety expert warns 'only five jobs' will be unaffected by 2030
Gabrielle Woody, a university recruiter for the financial software company Intuit, explains that another obvious sign is the "robotic time".
The difference in tone from how early-career professionals talk is quite noticeable.
I almost always see words like ‘adept,’ ‘tech-savvy’ and ‘cutting-edge’ repeatedly now on resumes for tech roles. I mostly reviewed intern and entry-level resumes, and many of the early-career candidates I reviewed were not using those terms in their applications before ChatGPT.
READ: The best (and worst) international airports and airlines
There is also a significant amount of responsibility and pressure on the shoulders of recruiters.
According to Laurie Chamberlin, head of LHH Recruitment Solutions in North America, a good recruiter can spot an AI-written application a mile away, and an obvious giveaway is generic buzzwords.
We might catch candidates listing skills like ‘excellent communicator’ or ‘team player,’ but they don’t back them up with real-life examples. The absence of specificity, authenticity and personal touch can be a red flag.
READ: Travellers warned against criminals targeting Cape Town International Airport
In some cases, Tejal Wagadia, a recruiter for a major tech company, notes that applicants often do not edit their applications.
She'll see applications that still have the font, parentheses or "add numbers here" type phrasing that ChatGPT provides in its summarised answer.
It’s better to have five targeted applications where you put in effort than 100 where the other person can clearly tell that you’re not interested.
READ: 10 foods you should never store in the freezer
Tips from recruiters on how to use AI effectively in job applications:
- Use it to help generate ideas about which experiences to present on their resumes. Ask ChatGPT to break down a job description or identify the most relevant skills and experiences for the position you’re applying.
- AI can help you write a first draft, but you need to edit and add experiences that are relevant and specific to you.
- Don't mass apply with hundreds of AI-generated applications and make your job search targeted, not templated.
They will literally copy and paste that into their resume without any kind of editing. If you’re missing that level of detail, it shows the employer that you’re not detail-oriented. Yeah you use technology, but not well.
- Don't lie seems obvious enough, but applicants are including the suggested achievements that generative AI tools create in their answers.
- Lying to a company jeopardises your integrity as an employee, especially if you want to start your career based on lies.
- A strong application should include personal anecdotes and specific achievements relevant to the role you are applying for.
- Good storytelling cannot be automated.
Tune in to 'The Drive with Rob & Roz', on weekdays from 16:00 – 19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: iStock