The retained GPTOnline cover is an editorial illustration of this historical job-search discussion, not a product screenshot or evidence of hiring outcomes.
Historical context: This article discusses recruiter views reported in October 2023, not current hiring policies. The interview accounts are attributed to Business Insider’s reporting, also published in a Spanish translation on October 26. The research distinction below is supported by MIT Sloan’s April 2023 account of the experiment.
In October 2023 reporting, OpenAI’s ChatGPT was attracting attention in recruitment. While a boon for some job seekers, it can be a bane if utilized without discretion, according to various recruiters.
Recruiters interviewed at firms like Nvidia, Jasper.ai, and Hugging Face have noticed an increase in applicants harnessing the power of ChatGPT in their application process. A separate randomized field experiment, reported in an NBER working paper, found that new users offered algorithmic resume-writing assistance were 8% more likely to be hired in that online contract-work market. The experiment ran in 2021 and tested spelling, grammar and related writing suggestions—not ChatGPT. The 8% figure is a relative increase, not eight percentage points or a promise for every job seeker.
However, not all recruiters view this AI-assisted approach favorably. Some believe that relying on AI suggestions without critical evaluation can be detrimental to a candidate’s prospects.
Alex Shapiro, identified in the report as Jasper.ai’s Chief People Officer, acknowledged the value of tools like ChatGPT in refining applications. They can enhance language usage and bring a professional sheen to applications. However, she warns that carelessness with AI-generated materials can lead to inaccuracies that might tarnish an applicant’s credibility.
Shapiro described candidates presenting resumes with skills or characteristics they could not explain. Such inconsistencies require checking; they do not by themselves prove that AI wrote the application. She emphasizes the need for thorough review, especially considering the potential repercussions if false information is detected after hiring.
Flavien Coronini from Hugging Face echoes similar sentiments. He recalls instances of AI-generated cover letters devoid of any personal touch, which he considers a major turn-off. In his opinion, such applications fail to demonstrate genuine motivation to join the company.
Despite these pitfalls, some applicants remain undeterred from leveraging ChatGPT. Lindsey Duran from Nvidia has noticed candidates using ChatGPT during interviews, even when explicitly instructed against doing so.
Yet, the recruiters interviewed agreed that showcasing AI skills, including ChatGPT expertise, can be a significant advantage, provided applicants can substantiate their claims. Chris Foltz from IBM believes that demonstrating AI knowledge and passion could help a candidate demonstrate suitability for an AI role.
Shapiro and Duran share this perspective. Duran views ChatGPT as a relatively new skill that can be beneficial for certain roles, provided it complements core foundational skills in programming and algorithms.
However, to truly capitalize on ChatGPT, applicants must ensure their applications maintain a human touch. Ashley Couto, an AI consultant, suggests using the AI tool to refine specific sentences or paragraphs until they resonate with the applicant’s unique voice.
Shapiro’s closing point was that applicants should be able to explain and stand behind the content they submit. This sentiment underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between AI assistance and personal input in the job application process.
