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MISSOULA, Mont. – In today’s competitive job market, a University of Montana expert is showing students how artificial intelligence can give them an edge when applying for jobs.
Michelle Schwartz from the Student Success Center at the University of Montana emphasizes the importance of using AI as a tool, not a replacement, in writing resumes and cover letters.
“So if we are using AI to help us build a cover letter we never want to give the first response it gives us,” Schwartz said. “We want to continue to help it generate better response based on our writing style and what it gives us and what position we are applying for we have to help reiterate so it meets our needs.”
Schwartz explained that AI can be useful for tasks like grammar checking and brainstorming ideas but noted that it struggles with judgment. “It’s good at helping us with concrete things like grammar and helping us brainstorm and coming up with good ideas of things we want to highlight or about our experience or what skills a job is looking for but one thing it struggles with is things like judgment so we would never want to ask AI should I apply for this job that is a you decision,” she said.
The program, called Big Interview, assists users in combining technology with personal input to create effective job application materials. Schwartz shared how to use AI effectively: “Giving AI specific examples of your work give examples of different types of jobs you’re looking for and even the writing style you want to include.”
She further explained, “I would say something like I am applying for his job and for this organization and this the position description here is my experience and I might cut and paste my whole resume or parts of it and then I say please help me write a full cover letter that uses inclusive language and highlights these skills.”
Big Interview allows students to upload a resume and receive feedback on its format or to enhance an already existing resume by asking strategic questions. This helps students prepare for interviews by thinking critically about their strengths.
Every student at the University of Montana has access to an account with Big Interview, demonstrating how technology can be a valuable tool in advancing their careers.