You’ve made it – it’s your final year of studies and graduation is in sight. Now just to find the perfect graduate role!

Finding the right role is a job in itself and can be hard to juggle alongside studies, coursework, exams and a dissertation. Researching companies and writing applications takes time – you want to get it right and give yourself the best chance of securing an interview.

Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you and all the unique qualities that make you who you are. While AI can’t replace who you are – and never will – it can be a powerful tool to enhance your application and save time on repetitive tasks.

In this piece we give you key insight on how you can use AI to its best potential during the application process. Here are our top tips, and a few pitfalls to avoid when using AI in job applications:

5 Key Tips:

1. Choosing the right company: This can be a minefield, many companies offer similar positions, so how do you know which ones are right for you? Researching used to take hours, but now AI can do it for you in a matter of seconds. Make a list of things you want from your ideal company and let AI do the hard work of finding places that match.
2. Enhancing your CV and cover letter: Companies want to see what makes you unique – what skills can you bring, what experiences have you benefitted from and what your aspirations are? Only you know these things, so it’s important to write your CV and cover letter yourself. But, AI can help you with the design and proof-reading.
3. Tailoring applications to each role: AI can also be used to analyse job descriptions and identify key words to include, helping you tailor each application.
4. AI detectors: Be aware of how companies use AI detectors to flag overly generated content.  Be mindful of this and take a balanced approach to your application.
5. Keeping organised: AI tools can help you manage deadlines and keep track of applications and follow-ups, which is especially useful when applying to multiple positions.

5 Things to Avoid:

1. AI isn’t always right: It’s important to always fact check, review and refine anything AI produces – is it accurate, consistent and in the right tone?  Making sure your application is well thought out, authentic and error free is your responsibility and any AI inaccuracies will undermine your application and how the reviewer looks at it.
2. Overreliance on AI: AI content can be generic and overuse key words and phrases. Your application must still show your own voice, experiences and personality.
3. Avoid using AI to make mass applications: Whilst tempting to save time, these are often generic and not tailored to the position being applied for. Mass applications are easy for employers to spot and show a lack of care and thought. This could lead to you missing out on an opportunity you are genuinely excited about.
4. Don’t ignore what’s being asked for: some employers include questions in their application form and specifically ask you not to use AI for certain responses, to assess your writing skills. If they do, make sure to follow their request.
5. Authenticity matters: AI might suggest skills or experiences to include that match the job description, but honesty is key. If you don’t have a particular skill, don’t claim it—your application should reflect your real strengths. Any exaggeration is likely to be uncovered during the interview, leaving you in a difficult spot if you can’t back up what you’ve written.

AI is a powerful tool and can help enhance your applications and job seeking process, but with great power, comes great responsibility. Use AI to make efficiencies, but ensure your application is authentic and reflects you to truly stand out.

Happy job hunting! Applications for our Emerging Talent graduate programmes opened on 01 September and our placement and apprentice programmes will be opening in November – so why not kick-start your journey with us?

Explore the opportunities, put your best foot forward, and let your next chapter begin with #TeamHollis.

To learn more, get in touch with Leo Wax and Vicki Palmer.