Generative AI is revolutionizing how professionals approach job searches, career development, and personal branding. By harnessing AI, you can streamline your processes, sharpen your materials, and elevate your professional presence. Here are some actionable ways AI is currently being used by higher ed professionals and recommendations for tools that will help you to implement these strategies.
1. Customize Your Materials for Specific Roles
AI tools can tailor your resume and cover letter to specific roles by analyzing job descriptions and suggesting personalized language. This ensures that your materials reflect the unique needs of the position, increasing your chances of standing out.
Actionable Step: Use an AI tool to scan job postings and tailor your resume/cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Sample Tools:
Jobscan- analyzes job descriptions and optimizes your resume for specific roles by ensuring you use the right keywords and highlight relevant skills. It helps tailor your materials to increase your chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude-you can use these tools to modify your resume and cover letter based on the specific job posting, ensuring alignment with the position’s requirements.
2. Check for Grammar, Spelling, and Clarity
Use tools to quickly check for errors and improve the overall clarity of your application materials. Ensuring your resume and cover letter are polished and professional can make a significant difference.
Actionable Step: Run your resume and cover letter through these tools before submitting them to avoid common mistakes.
Sample Tools:
Grammarly-is one of the most popular tools for checking grammar, spelling, and overall clarity in your resume, cover letter, and other professional documents.
ProWritingAid- offers a comprehensive grammar and style checker with added features to improve clarity and readability
3. Prepare for Interviews
Generative AI can help you generate potential interview questions and prepare responses based on the role you're targeting. Tools like InterviewBuddy can simulate interview environments, allowing you to practice in advance.
Actionable Step: Generate a list of potential questions using AI and role-play answers to improve your confidence and performance.
Sample Tools:
InterviewBuddy- simulates real interview environments and provides AI-generated interview questions tailored to specific roles. This helps you practice and refine your responses.
ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude- can generate industry-specific and role-specific interview questions, helping you prepare in advance.
4. Refine Job Descriptions and Identify Key Terms
AI tools can help refine job descriptions and identify industry-specific jargon or acronyms. This is particularly useful when updating your LinkedIn profile or crafting a job description for hiring committees.
Actionable Step: Use AI to edit your job descriptions to make them more relevant and aligned with current trends in higher education.
Sample Tools:
MyInterviewPractice- offers virtual interview practice with a variety of questions and scenarios that mirror real-life interview situations.
HireVue- offers AI-driven video interviews, giving you a chance to practice responding to questions under realistic condition
5. Quantify Achievements and Refine Personal Branding
AI can suggest ways to quantify your past achievements with data points and metrics, which helps make your resume more impactful. Tools like Teal HQ help professionals refine their personal brands and showcase measurable results.
Actionable Step: Use AI to identify measurable achievements in your past roles and integrate them into your professional branding materials.
Sample Tools:
Textio- helps refine job descriptions by offering suggestions based on industry norms and data. It can also identify jargon or acronyms that are specific to a field.
Hemingway Editor- improves readability and simplifies your language, ensuring your job descriptions or resume are clear and professional.
Teal HQ- helps job seekers quantify their achievements by providing metrics and data points. It’s especially useful for professionals transitioning to new industries or looking to refine their personal brand.
6. Draft Follow-up Emails
Generative AI can help you draft thoughtful and professional follow-up emails after interviews or job applications. A timely and well-crafted message can leave a lasting impression.
Actionable Step: Use AI to craft a personalized follow-up email that reflects on your interview and reaffirms your interest in the role.
Sample Tools
ChatGPT/Gemini/Claude- can generate personalized follow-up emails after job applications or interviews. You can ask it to draft professional messages that are tailored to the tone and nature of the interview.
Crystal Knows- Crystal Knows helps you write personalized follow-up emails by analyzing the recipient’s communication style, ensuring your message is tailored to their preferences.
In Closing
By incorporating these AI-driven strategies, higher ed professionals can enhance their job search process, refine their professional materials, and better position themselves for success. Ensure you review AI-generated content critically to align with your goals and values.

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