Smart Strategies: Leveraging AI in Your First Job or Internship Search
Landing your first professional job or corporate internship can feel overwhelming, but AI can make the process smoother and more effective. Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are powerful allies for streamlining research, improving your application materials, and helping you prepare with confidence. Think of AI as a trusted advisor: an excellent editor and brainstorming partner that enhances your work, but doesn’t replace your unique voice or experience.
Resume and Cover Letter Review
AI can help polish your resume and cover letter by proofreading for spelling or grammar issues. Beyond simple edits, it can also suggest ways to make your language clearer or more impactful. Always double-check that the final product still reflects your personal style; your individuality is what will ultimately impress employers.
Research and Preparation
You can also use AI to make your research and preparation more efficient. Try asking specific questions based on your resume, cover letter, job description, and/or LinkedIn profile to get customized suggestions. For example, you might ask, “Can you suggest ways to highlight my leadership experience from my volunteer work?” or “Here is the job description of the role I am interviewing for: [paste job description] Prepare a list of 5 good questions that I can ask the interviewer.”
Tailoring and Versioning
Don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions or request alternative versions of a response — rephrasing a query slightly can open up new ideas. You can also experiment with different tones, like formal, casual, or engaging, to see what fits best for different companies or industries. An example of how AI can be used to craft a tailored resume for a particular role: “Here is my resume: [paste resume] Review my resume like an expert career coach and let me know five specific changes I can make based on this job description. [paste job description].”
Interview Practice
AI can also be useful to practice interviewing, allowing you to refine your interviewing skills without some of the pressure. Tools like Google’s Interview Warmup will prompt you with sample interview questions, transcribing your spoken answers and providing real-time feedback/insights on word choice, pacing, and clarity. Getting more comfortable with the interview process and the types of questions you might be asked within the context of a particular role can help to improve the success of your job or internship search.
While AI can’t land the job for you, it can help you present your best self. By combining smart AI strategies with your authentic experiences and passion, you’ll be ready to stand out in your first professional job search.
Beginner’s Tip
If you aren’t yet at a point where you are applying for an internship or a job, but you are wondering about what careers you might want to pursue, below are some sample prompts that can help get you started:
- What can I do with a [academic area] degree in [industry of interest]?
- Compare and contrast the career paths in [industry A] and [industry B].
- I have interests in [insert your interests]. What are five career paths that match my interests?
- Describe the day-to-day responsibilities of a [specific job title], and what qualifications are usually required.
- What are the potential growth opportunities for someone beginning a career in [specific field].
