Your guide to job searching with AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) can support your job search by helping you spot vacancies that match your interests quicker and summarising key information from job adverts. Some paid AI tools (including advanced versions of ChatGPT) allow you to set up regular tasks so the tool can run searches for you and send you updates when it finds roles that fit your criteria. Always check what your chosen tool can do as features and capabilities change regularly.

However, there are also limitations to using AI for job searching. AI is only as effective as the instructions you give it, and it can sometimes suggest roles that aren’t student or graduate level, are in the wrong location, or don’t match your interests. It also cannot access everything – for example, roles that sit behind a login and the information it provides isn’t always completely accurate or up to date.

This guide explains the main advantages and disadvantages of using AI in your job search, and shows you how to make the most of it by:

  • understanding what AI can and cannot do
  • using our 3Ps to write clearer prompts
  • proofreading and checking the roles you find with AI
  • viewing example prompts you can adapt for your own searches

What using AI can/cannot do for you

AI can:

  • Suggest vacancies that match the criteria you give it (for example role type, sector, location, salary range, and level of seniority).
  • Summarise key details from job adverts, such as main responsibilities and essential criteria.
  • Some paid tools can run regular searches and send you updates when new roles that fit your criteria appear.

AI cannot:

  • Access roles that sit behind a login (for example CareerConnect or your personal LinkedIn account) – you will still need to log in and search these platforms yourself.
  • Find every suitable role. It may miss vacancies, so you should combine AI with your own targeted searches to maximise your results.
  • Guarantee accurate or complete information about each role. AI tools can “hallucinate” (invent details or misinterpret adverts), so always click through to the original job description and treat any AI summary as a starting point, not your only source of information.
  • Get dates right 100% of the time. AI may include expired roles, so tell it the current date and ask it to exclude vacancies with closing dates after today and always double-check the closing date on the original advert.

Our 3P’s to using AI effectively

Prepare

  • Do you know what you are looking for? Before starting your job search it is important to reflect on what you are looking for. If you don’t know that’s okay, start with our ‘I don’t know what I want to do’ page and talk through your options with a careers advisor in a 1:1 Careers appointment.
  • Which AI tools are you going to use? You can find further information about different tools and university guidance to learn about what different tools can be used and select the one which is right for you via the Library's resources: Artificial Intelligence. Some popular tools that are used for job searching include Microsoft Copilot and Chat GPT.
  • Do you know the correct title of the role you are searching for? Job titles can be confusing, and AI requires clear prompts to be effective. (Job titles explained (The University of Manchester)).
  • Can you spot a scam vacancy? Jobs listed through AI platforms are not vetted by the University so ensure you have done your research to distinguish between a scam and a genuine vacancy. (Spotting scam jobs (The University of Manchester)).

Prompt

While AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with your job search, they require clear and structured prompts.

Use the RTF model (developed by Durham University):

  • Role – Who should the AI act as?
    • Example: You are an experienced Careers Advisor and job search expert.
  • Task – What exactly do you want it to do?
    • Example: Please search for vacancies for a Town Planner in Manchester, preferably entry level.
  • Format – How should the output be delivered?
    • Example: Respond with list format and only include current vacancies.

This model ensures your prompts are specific, practical, and aligned with your goals. Always refine the AI’s output to reflect your own authentic preferences, situation and aims.

Proofread

AI pulls information from various sources and may not always filter it correctly. Always check:

  • The vacancy is still live - AI may not always have the most up to date information.
  • Other AI platforms and your own manual search – One platform is unlikely to generate all opportunities, it is important to use various strategies and tools in your job-search. Make sure that you are combining this automated search with manual searching of password protected job search platforms such as LinkedIn jobs and CareerConnect. There is more information about job-search strategies here: Job search strategies (The University of Manchester).

Prompt examples – effective vs ineffective

Ineffective: Find me jobs in the marketing sector

More effective: You are an experienced careers professional with expertise in graduate job search strategies. Please identify 10 current graduate-level marketing roles that:

  • are based in the Greater Manchester area
  • offer a salary of at least £27,000
  • preferably involve working for a charity or non-profit organisation

For each role, list the job title, employer, closing date and a one-sentence summary based on the original job advert. Exclude internships and unpaid roles. Please only source roles that expire after 10th December.

Another effective example:
You are a job search assistant. Using up-to-date vacancy sources you can access, find 8 entry-level data analyst roles in the UK that:

  • are open to applicants without prior industry experience
  • clearly state visa sponsorship is available, or are open to graduates with the right to work in the UK
  • have closing dates at least 2 weeks from today

Present your answer as a table with columns for employer, job title, location, salary (if listed) and closing date. Please only source vacancies that expire after 15th January.

Considerations When Using AI

When considering using AI to support your career-planning, it can be useful for generating ideas and getting started but using AI can also frequently present challenges for the user. For example, AI might:

  • Produce information that is outdated or false (sometimes referred to as ‘AI hallucinations’)
  • Create content that is generic, for example if you use it to create an application, it might use the language of the job description, but not include specific evidence of your skills
  • Encourage over-reliance on AI without personal reflection (sometimes referred to as ‘cognitive off-loading')

When using AI, consider how you take into account the challenges of AI use. We have outlined an example of how you might navigate a particular challenge below.

It’s also worth thinking about the broader implications of using AI, like data privacy and its environmental impact. For example, submitting personal or sensitive information into an AI system may result in that system storing or unintentionally sharing that information. There is more information about best practice and critical AI use, including considering data privacy, the environmental impact and the University’s policy, here: Generative AI.

The university is currently in the process of rolling out access to Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses to staff and students. More information will be shared by the university soon.

Example of Managing an AI Challenge

Using AI to:

Search the internet for summer internships based on your criteria and present relevant opportunities back to you.

Risks when using AI:

  • AI may return roles with expired deadlines.

How to manage these challenges:

  • Give AI clear, specific parameters including asking it not to include expired vacancies.
  • Always use the 3Ps (see above) to ensure you’re using AI consciously, ethically, and effectively.

Further Resources

Keep checking this page for any updates; there are also useful resources below: