The Young Person’s Guide to Using AI in Job Applications

Peter Panayotou is Senior Consultant and Founder at The Write Stuff – www.thewritestuff.co.uk 

With the advent of platforms such as ChatGPT, it is no secret that young people, and especially the current generation of school leavers, are turning to AI as their go-to for assistance with their job applications. However, rather than AI being a substitute for personal effort and self-reflection, the evidence suggests that AI is most valuable when used as a support tool for things like brainstorming, structuring, and proofreading.

In other words, AI should help young people to find their voice but not replace it. But it can be difficult to avoid over reliance, so how do you get the balance right? Here’s my handy list which highlights the advantages and disadvantages, how to use the technology appropriately, and what to look out for.

Advantages:

1. Guidance and structure

Many school leavers have little or no experience of writing CVs and cover letters or filling in applications. AI can provide templates, suggest phrasing, and guide them in presenting their skills clearly.

2. Confidence boost

It can be intimidating to “sell yourself” when you don’t have much experience. AI tools can help young applicants identify transferable skills from school, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs, making them feel more confident.

3. Time efficiency

Applications can be lengthy and repetitive. AI can speed up the process by auto-generating draft responses that the applicant can then personalise.

4. Awareness of industry language

AI can introduce young applicants to the kinds of keywords, action verbs, and professional language that employers look for which is valuable learning for the future.

5. Accessibility

For those who struggle with spelling, grammar, or writing structure, AI can level the playing field and help them produce polished applications.

Disadvantages

1. Risk of over-reliance

If they copy and paste AI-generated responses without personalising them, their applications may lack authenticity or sound generic. Employers often notice when language is too “polished” for a first-time applicant.

2. Loss of skill development 

Writing CVs and applications is itself an important skill. Overusing AI might mean school leavers don’t fully develop the ability to reflect on their own strengths and express them clearly.

3. Mismatch with experience

AI can sometimes generate content that exaggerates or misrepresents their experience. This can backfire if they’re asked about it in an interview.

4. ATS compatibility isn’t everything

Some AI tools focus heavily on keyword optimisation for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but many entry-level or school-leaver roles don’t even use ATS. This could lead to over-optimisation and under-emphasis on authenticity.

5. Digital divide 

Not all young people have equal access to AI tools, good internet, or the knowledge of how to use them effectively thus potentially widening inequalities.

6. Ethical concerns

Employers might question whether the application truly represents the applicant’s own work if AI involvement is too heavy-handed.

Top tips:

Do use AI for:

• Getting started: Ask AI for a CV template or an example structure to avoid a blank page. Use it to brainstorm what to include if you’re unsure what counts as experience.
• Highlighting transferable skills: You may not have lots of work history, but AI can help you reframe things like school projects, sports, volunteering, or part-time jobs in a professional way.
• Polishing writing: AI can help check spelling, grammar, and flow so your application looks neat and professional.
• Understanding keywords: AI can point out important words from the job description (e.g., teamwork, communication, customer service) so you include them naturally in your application.
• Practising for interviews: You can use AI to generate practice interview questions based on the job description.

Be careful of: 

• Copy-paste applications: Employers want to hear your real story. If you just copy AI text, it might sound robotic and not match your personality.
• Overcomplicating language: If AI suggests words you’d never normally use, it may come across as fake. Keep it natural and age-appropriate.
• Making things up: Don’t let AI exaggerate your experience. You’ll be expected to talk about everything you write in an interview.
• Losing your voice: The application is about you — your strengths, your story. AI should support that, not take it away.

Smart workflow

• Draft yourself first: Write a few bullet points about your experience and skills.
• Use AI as a helper: Ask it to improve clarity, structure, or highlight achievements.
• Personalise it: Edit so it sounds like you, not like a machine.
• Double-check facts: Make sure every detail is true, and that you can back it up.
• Read aloud: If it doesn’t sound like how you’d naturally speak, change it.

Conclusion

Ultimately, although AI can be a great help, the goal is to make sure your application still sounds like it was written by you. The Golden Rule is to bear in mind that AI is a coach, not a substitute. The more you use it to learn rather than shortcut, the stronger your applications (and your confidence) will become. This should help you get closer to that all-important interview. Good luck!