It was bound to happen. After all, technology that seems too good to be true, often is.

Perhaps no technology in our lifetime has offered more promise than generative AI. We are using it in the workplace to help with analytics, research and reports; in our personal lives to plan a trip, for entertainment and leisure, or to write a note to a loved one; and more and more of us are even using it to help land that next job. Unfortunately, too many of us are using it in our career pursuits, and it’s backfiring in a spectacular way!

A recent Wall Street Journal article offered a stunning assessment of the consequences that easy-to-use AI tools are having in the job market:

Many hiring managers and applicants agree that the ease with which job hunters can respond to help-wanted postings has broken the online-application process by creating high volumes of candidates that hiring managers can’t hope to parse through. Meanwhile, applicants say automatic screening tools are shutting them out of opportunities. 

As the WSJ article notes, companies are overwhelmed by applicants “relying on ChatGPT and automated bots to fire off large volumes of résumés or using other shortcuts like LinkedIn’s “easy apply” button.” The article shared the experience of one on-line tech recruiter who received 983 applicants for a single position. In the end, not one of them was selected. That’s because too many applicants don’t use ChatGPT to enhance their resumes – they use it to create.

Some HR professionals have noted a remarkable similarity in the cover letters from job applicants. According to the WSJ, the “cover letters sound eerily similar, as if written by the same non-human.” So, what’s the answer? Forego AI assistance and craft and submit your application the old fashion way? Unfortunately, the bullet train has left the station, and there is no going back. Those who use AI responsibility and sparingly will likely have an advantage compared with those who don’t.

A recent Business Insider article, “Don’t expect ChatGPT to help you land your next job” offers some sound advice for those struggling with the right approach. The article cites research that job applicants who use “algorithmic writing assistance” to help tweak their résumés were about 8% more likely to get hired than those who didn’t use AI.” When considering whether to use generative AI to help with your resume, the answer seems to be (as it often is in life) to use it in moderation. As Business Insider notes:

“While some recruiters have said they see the value in candidates using generative AI to strengthen their job applications, others believe that taking a chatbot’s suggestions at face value can hurt one’s chances of getting hired.”

The article quotes a prominent corporate HR leader as observing that “using ChatGPT can be “great” in helping applicants “brainstorm verbs” and re-frame language that can “bring a level of polish to their applications.” At the same time, she said that submitting AI-generated materials along with job applications can backfire if applicants don’t review them for accuracy.”

One consequence of the avalanche of AI-enabled job applications has been a resurgence of referrals by “real people” when it comes to narrowing down the field of applicants and making a job selection. “Who you know” has long been as important as “what you know” when it comes to landing many opportunities. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that in my own career, the power of networking played a significant role in all most all of my big breaks.

As the WSJ article notes:

“Who-you-know networking is back. As the number of job applicants has swelled in recent years, the key to landing a new position often turns on a personal connection that can pluck your résumé out of online obscurity and ensure it’s seen by a real person.”

I’ve never subscribed to the cynical view that “it’s simply who you know and not what you know that will help you land your next job.” Instead, I believe it’s who you know that knows what you know. That should be the ultimate goal in networking. In the virtual workplace of the 2020’s it’s becoming harder to develop those vital networking relationships, but I would offer at least 5 tips to ensure you have more than just ChatGPT in your corner in a job search:

Build Genuine Relationships: Focus on building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships rather than just networking for personal gain. This can help others see you as a valuable connection, not someone just leveraging relationships for career advancement.

Be Active in Professional Associations and Groups: Join and actively participate in professional associations and groups related to your field. These organizations often provide platforms for recognition based on merit and contributions.

Showcase Your Expertise: Regularly share your knowledge and skills through various platforms. Publish articles, give talks, or participate in industry panels to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your field.

Seek Out Merit-Based Opportunities: Look for organizations and roles that prioritize merit and performance over connections. These environments are often more receptive to recognizing individual talent and hard work.

Develop a Strong Personal Brand: Create a personal brand that highlights your achievements, skills, and professional integrity. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile, a personal website, or a professional blog can help in establishing your reputation.

I shared my own personal journey when it came to networking and career opportunities in my first book, Lessons Learned on the Audit Trail. I observed that building and sustaining relationships is not only important in delivering effective internal audit services, but it can also be vitally important in advancing one’s own career.  

So, what is the answer when pursuing career opportunities in the mid-2020s? My recommendation is to deploy a combination of strategies. First, make sure you have the skills, expertise and passion to pursue an opportunity. Second, fortify your chances to be considered by showcasing your capabilities and building and sustaining the relationships with those who notice. Finally, leverage technologies like ChatGPT to help you enhance your story – not to create it.