Your AI-powered Career Search

Today’s job market is AI-driven. Digital systems are being used by both employers and job applicants. Get in the game by understanding how it all works.

How some employers are using AI to search for talent:

• Screening resumés for keywords and assessing applicants' experiences, "fit" and performance potential.
• Searching job boards and social media sites to evaluate candidates and find those whose online profiles are the best match for positions.
• Conducting initial interviews of job candidates and answering their questions about job openings.
• Analyzing applicants’ facial expressions, tone of voice and body language in video interviews.
• Ensuring that applicants’ submissions are anonymized to guard against bias in recruitment.

You can use AI to succeed:

• Customize your resumé and cover letter for each job opening, including keywords and other language to make your match for the jobs clear to the AI screening systems.
• Use a Word document with simple fonts instead of a PDF for your resumé and application letters; some applicant tracking systems struggle with parsing PDFs.
• Generate a list of likely interview questions you may be asked, along with guidance for good answers that demonstrate your skills and talents.
• To attract the attention of AI-driven recruitment search engines, create a LinkedIn profile with extensive details about your skills and experiences.
• Use mock interview tools to simulate real interview scenarios and get coaching on physical behaviors that will perform well in AI analysis.

Remember to combine AI strategies with human-to-human connections. Many jobs are won through smart networking, personal connections or even chance encounters with professionals at events.

Adapted from the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence (2025), developed by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center in partnership with American Association of Colleges and Universities. Used with permission under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.