AI tools an enhance every stage of your career, from creating tailored resumes and cover letters to practicing interviews, identifying skill gaps, and crafting networking messages. They can also suggest personalized career paths based on your interests, values, and strengths.

However, remember that AI should be viewed as a support tool, not an authority. Protect your personal data by excluding any personally identifying information (Ex. Name, Address, Social Security number), review output for inaccuracies or outdated advice, and always verify AI suggestions with reputable sources before making decisions.

While AI career tools are interactive, they should not be used to replace the value found in human interaction with career service professionals, networking with alumni and recruiters one-on-one and in networking/recruiting events.

Always start with your own original draft document prior to incorporating any input from AI. 

 

Pro Tips:

Integrating AI in your Job Search

Open All

AI can help tailor your resume for a specific position by suggesting keywords and optimizing bullet points to better match job descriptions. It can also offer helpful suggestions to improve clarity and impact. However, it’s important to ensure that all information on your resume accurately reflects your experiences and skills. Use AI as a guide to enhance your content, not to add or invent details.

Here are a few sample prompts to help you get started: 

  • “Compare my resume [paste resume without personal info] to this job/internship description [paste the description] and tell me which important skills, technologies, or qualifications I am missing.”
  • “Analyze this job/internship description [paste the description] and tell me which important skills, technologies, or qualifications that I should highlight on my resume.”
  • "Here is my resume bullet point: [insert bullet]. Here is the keyword: [paste keyword from job description]. Suggest several ways I can rewrite this bullet point to naturally include this keyword."
  • "Act as a resume coach. I just started (or finished) a new job/internship as [add title] at [add company] and I need help creating strong bullet points for my experience on my resume. Please ask me specific questions about what I did, what tools/skills I used, and what I accomplished or improved in the role. After gathering enough details, generate 4–6 clear, action-oriented bullet points that highlight my impact using strong verbs and, where possible, measurable results. Make sure the bullets reflect transferable skills for [add desired role/title] in [add industry].”

Pro Tips:

AI can help you fine-tune your cover letter for every position, spotlighting the most relevant keywords and qualifications for maximum impact. Always include only genuine experiences and skills, and preserve your personal voice so your letter remains a true reflection of your abilities and interest in the role and company.

Here are a few sample prompts to help you get started: 

“Here is my draft cover letter [paste cover letter without personal info] and the job/internship description [paste the description]. Suggest ways to make my cover letter more tailored to the role.”

“Review my cover letter [paste cover letter without personal info] and the job/internship description [paste the description].  Highlight where I should add examples that show my skills match the job/internship requirements.”

“Tell me about [add company name]. Provide details on their mission, vision, values, products, services, leadership, and any recent news.”

 

Pro Tips:

  • Find Cover Letter Samples in our Career Guide on pages 33 to 37.

AI can be a powerful tool for career exploration by helping you discover career paths and majors you may not have considered. AI tools can also analyze a student’s interests, strengths, values, and experiences to suggest potential career occupations to explore further. 

Here are a few sample prompts to help you get started: 

“Suggest majors that align with my interests in [list your hobbies, favorite subjects, or skills].”
“Based on my strengths in [add strengths] and my career goals of [add goals], what majors might be a good fit?”

“What are the top entry-level careers for graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in [add major]?”

“What questions should I ask alumni or professors to learn more about a [add major] or a career in [add industry]?"

“What industries are best for someone who values [add values] (e.g., creativity, career stability, helping others, income, prestige) and wants to make an impact in [add causes or issues]?”

 

Pro Tip:

  • Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor HERE to discuss your career exploration questions.

Finding the right job or internship can feel overwhelming, but AI tools can help you make the process more personalized and efficient. By using AI, you can explore roles that align with your major, interests, skills, and experience level, and receive tailored advice on how to refine your search strategy.

AI can suggest job titles that fit your background, generate keyword lists to use on platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn, and even identify skills you might want to strengthen for your desired field.

Here are some sample prompts:

“I’m a [add year in school] majoring in [add major]. Based on my courses and projects in [List course names and projects] and skills in [add list skills], what types of internships or entry-level roles would be a good fit for me?”

"Based on my major in [add Major] and my interest in [add Industry Interest], what are the typical entry-level positions? What fundamental skills should I prioritize?".

“What are the top employers in [add industry] in [add city, state] that typically hire students or recent graduates with my major [add Major]?”

“What are the top employers in [add industry] in [add city, state] that typically hire interns with my major [add Major]?”

 

Important Reminder:

AI is a tool, not a substitute for personalized career advising. Always verify job listings through trusted platforms like Handshake and official company career pages, and combine AI insights with guidance from a Career Counselor by scheduling a Job Search appointment on Handshake.

Be cautious of scams and fraudulent postings: avoid positions that ask for money, request personal banking information, or communicate only through unofficial channels. 

 

When in doubt, contact the Career Services Center to confirm if an employer or posting is legitimate. For more information see the Career Services Center’s website via MyUSF.

 

Building a professional network can feel intimidating, but AI tools can make the process more approachable and effective. From drafting personalized outreach emails and LinkedIn invites with a note to helping create an elevator pitch for networking events, AI can be a supportive tool. 

 

Here are some sample prompts:

“Suggest 10 thoughtful, open-ended questions I can ask a [add profession/industry] alumna from my university to learn about their career path and industry trends.”

“Based on my major in [add major] and interest in [add industry/field], what are 5 conversation starters I can use when meeting alumni?”
“Help me prepare an elevator pitch to introduce myself to a USF alum who works in [add industry/organization].”It can also help you prepare smart, tailored questions for both one-on-one informational interviews and group networking events, empowering you to build genuine connections and learn from every conversation.

 

Pro Tip:

  • Schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor HERE to discuss your career networking questions.

Preparing for interviews can be stressful, but AI can help you feel more confident and ready. AI tools can generate common interview questions for the job/internship position you are interviewing for, simulate mock interviews, and even give feedback on your answers. By practicing with AI, you can refine your responses, highlight your strengths, and walk into your interview with greater clarity and confidence. 

 

Here are a few sample prompts to help you get started: 

"Based on this job/internship description [paste job description], suggest 10 interview questions I might be asked. I will provide my answers, and I want you to analyze them for clarity, relevance, alignment with the description, and overall impact, then suggest improvements."

“What key skills and experiences should I emphasize in an interview for this position? [paste job/internship description]”

“Help me create a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) story from my experience in [describe specific project, internship, or job] that fits this job description [add job/internship description].”
“Suggest questions I can ask the interviewer to show I’ve researched the role and company [add job description].”

“Give me feedback on my response to this common interview question [add question]: [add your answer].”

“Tell me about [add company name]. Provide details on their mission, vision, values, products, services, leadership, and any recent news.”

 

Pro Tip:

  • Schedule a mock interview with a Career Counselor HERE to practice your interviewing skills.