Advice on using AI
AI tools are now a normal part of working life job searching and career development. Used well, they can save time and improve the quality of your work. This page covers how to use AI for your applications, how to write effective prompts, and what to expect from AI in the workplace.
How AI can support your job search
Career exploration
- Research sectors, roles and employers as a starting point.
- Identify transferable skills across different sectors.
- Suggest questions to ask at networking events or informational interviews.
Writing Applications
- Generate ideas for your CV or cover letter when you are not sure where to begin.
- Ask for feedback on your application ensuring it is tailored to the role and company.
- Analyse a job description to identify the key skills an employer is looking for.
Interview preparation
- Generate likely interview questions based on a job description.
- Help you align your experiences to likely interview questions.
- Run a mock interview. Ask AI to act as the interviewer and practise your answers.
As a Queen Mary student you have access to:
- CareerSet: Queen Mary’s AI-powered CV and cover letter review tool.
- Shortlist.me and Graduates First: Interview practice platforms with AI feedback
Top tips to keep in mind
Check whether AI use is permitted
Employer attitudes vary considerably. Some actively encourage AI in applications; others explicitly prohibit it. Always check an employer's guidance before submitting.
Employers want to hear your voice
AI produces generic content and with many people using the same tools and prompts, applications can sound very similar. Use AI to structure and refine your application, not write everything. Your specific experiences and personality are what make an application stand out.
Think critically about what AI tells you
AI can produce incorrect, outdated or biased information. Always verify facts, employer details and statistics against reliable sources.
Protect your personal data
Never put sensitive personal information into an AI tool. Check the privacy policy of any tool you use, and where possible use anonymised or generalised examples in your prompts.
AI cannot replace human connections
A careers consultant, employer contact or mentor can offer honest feedback and real professional relationships. Use AI to prepare for those conversations, not to replace them.
AI has a big impact on the environment
AI servers use a lot of energy. To be more sustainable, be clever about how and when you use AI.
Writing effective prompts
A prompt is the instruction you give an AI tool. AI output is only as good as the knowledge and context you bring to it. The more specific and informed your prompt, the more useful the response.
Three things every good prompt should include:
- Context: Background information for the tool to produce a useful response.
- Task: WProvide specific instructions.
- Format: Specify how you want the output structured (bullet points, a paragraph, a list of questions, a word limit).
Example prompts
CV tailoring
"I am applying for a [job title] role at [organisation]. Here is my current CV: [paste text/attach document removing sensitive information]. Here is the job description: [paste text]. Suggest three specific improvements to better align my summary/work history with what the employer is looking for. Keep suggestions concise and in bullet points."
Cover letter structure
"I am writing a cover letter for a [job title] at [organisation]. The role requires [key requirements from job description]. My key relevant experiences are [brief summary]. Draft an opening paragraph that is direct, specific and avoids generic phrases."
Interview preparation
"I have an interview for a [job title] at [organisation]. The role focuses on [key responsibilities]. I have been given this guidance about the interview [information employer has provided]. Generate five competency-based questions I am likely to be asked."
Researching an employer
"I am preparing for an interview at [organisation]. Provide a brief overview of their main products/services; any recent news or developments; and two or three likely challenges facing their sector. Flag anything that should be verified, as it may be outdated."
Career exploration
"I am studying [subject] and am interested in working in [area of interest]. Suggest five roles that might suit this background, with a brief description of typical responsibilities and the skills each requires. Focus on opportunities relevant to the UK graduate market."
Tips for better prompts
- Start with your own draft, then ask AI to improve it – this keeps your voice at the centre.
- Experiment with different ways of asking for information, including asking follow up questions.
- Ask AI to flag anything it is uncertain about or that you should check independently.
- Never use AI output as a final version – always rewrite in your own words.
AI in the workplace
How AI is used varies by sector and company. Most early-career AI use is practical - summarising information, drafting communications, supporting research. Some industries, particularly those that are heavily regulated, restrict AI use significantly due to client confidentiality and legal compliance. Employers value graduates who know when to use AI, what to ask for, and how to critically evaluate what comes back.
Further Information: Prospects and Institute of Student Employers: AI and Early Careers Report 2026
Further Support
Appointments
If you want to talk through how to use AI in your applications, or what AI might mean for your chosen career path, book an appointment with a Careers Consultant:
Workshops
We run workshops on using AI for job applications and interview preparation. For upcoming sessions:
