This post was originally published on this site.
At ClientEarth we recognise the growing role of generative artificial intelligence in the job application process. Over the last year we have seen a significant increase in the number of applications we receive for our vacancies. At the same time, we’ve noticed that many of the applications are becoming similar and generic.
AI can be a valuable tool to enhance your application, but it is important to use it ethically and responsibly, while remembering that AI has an environmental impact.
We therefore want to offer some guidance to our candidates on how they can integrate AI into their job application while maintaining integrity and professionalism.
Ensure your CV reflects the genuine you
AI tools can help you optimise your CV by improving formatting and grammar and enhancing readability. For applicants who have English as an additional language, AI can help you to standardise your CV for the local context.
However, you should not use AI to exaggerate or fabricate your experience or qualifications, or misrepresent your achievements. Your CV should always be an honest representation of your skills and career history. Please remember that we always ask successful candidates to provide the contact details of several referees.
Decreased relevance of cover letters
We are increasingly moving away from using cover letters in our applications as the responses can be easily written by AI and have therefore become more generic.
Instead, we are asking candidates to answer a number of role-specific questions. These questions focus on some of the specific skills and/or experience you will need to be successful in the role. While it’s acceptable to use AI to help you by suggesting structure and phrasing, your answer must be truthful and must reflect the real you.
Use AI for interview preparation, not for deception
Practicing with AI chatbots and virtual interview coaches can help you improve your interview confidence and refine your responses. However relying on AI tools to answer questions for you is not acceptable. We value authenticity and your ability to think and respond independently. We increasingly hold our second round interviews in-person in our offices.
Avoid plagiarism and over reliance on AI
Copying AI-generated content verbatim can lead to plagiarism concerns and will make your application appear generic and impersonal. We want to hear about the real you, and appreciate candidates who bring originality and a human touch to their applications.
Verify AI-suggested information
AI tools may generate inaccurate or misleading information, or suggest concepts that you are not aware of. If you use AI for research or content suggestions, double check any claims it makes. Presenting incorrect information could harm your credibility during the recruitment process.
Be transparent about your AI use
If you are invited to interview, we may ask you whether you have used AI in your application. If asked, be honest about how AI assisted you.
Remember that AI has an environmental impact
Candidates should be aware that AI impacts the environment through high energy use, carbon emissions, and electronic waste. Training and running AI models consumes large amounts of electricity, often from fossil fuels. Data centres also require significant water for cooling. Mining rare materials for AI hardware can harm ecosystems.
In conclusion
We encourage candidates to use AI as a supportive tool rather than a substitute or short cut. Candidates should always be aware of the environmental impact of AI use. Limited and ethical AI use can enhance your application, but ultimately, we want to learn about you – your skills, experiences, and potential and much of that cannot be generated by AI.
How does ClientEarth use AI in the recruitment process?
Candidates may be surprised to learn that currently ClientEarth do not use any form automated screening of applications. Indeed, under the EU AI act, automated screening of applications is strictly controlled and must have human oversight.
At present, when you submit your application, it will be reviewed by one of our Recruiters, with qualified applications being passed on to our Hiring Teams for further review.
We are investigating possible ways that AI can enhance our Recruitment process, such as by improving our job adverts, or by assisting with interview note taking. However we will always ensure this is done in a legally compliant and ethical manner, and will update our Recruitment privacy notice should this impact your personal data.