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Entering the job market can feel daunting, particularly when there’s a lot of news around about how artificial intelligence is going to disrupt the workplace.
The launch of ChatGPT three years ago triggered a whirlwind of spending by large technology companies and businesses on new AI systems. This has led to reports that companies are reducing the number of entry level jobs. After all, a few of prompts and some tools can produce research and even zippy quotes.
“Applying for a job straight out of school can feel weird — like you need to have everything figured out or compete with robots. You don’t. What really matters is showing up as you — curious, willing to learn, and human. That’s something AI can’t do,” says ChatGPT.
The FT has asked some experts to help guide you through making an application online, including with the help of AI-enabled tools.
Getting started
Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer at Handshake, a graduate jobs platform, says it helps to start thinking about the type of roles you might apply for by visiting your school’s career service and speaking to an adviser.
You should also ask people you know, starting with teachers, former students from your school and family friends, and even tapping professionals on LinkedIn to get some advice.
Remember to keep an open mind when it comes to thinking about the types of roles you might consider. “Opportunities may come from unexpected places and your first job is not your forever job,” Cruzvergara says.
Searching for jobs online
Once you have a general idea of what you’d like to apply for, it’s worth hitting job listing platforms. The two largest are LinkedIn, which is a great place to also grow a professional network, and Indeed.
Some platforms are geared towards a starter audience such as Handshake, while Craigslist and Facebook are useful if you’re looking for a job close to home. Large companies also list jobs on their own websites.
Navigating the Digital World
“It’s all about being strategic in your job search,” says Catherine Fisher, a career expert at LinkedIn. “Focus on the jobs that fit your skills, experience, and of course, what you want!”
Platforms have started rolling out new AI features that should make sifting through the thousands of listings online a lot easier.
LinkedIn now lets you write in “natural language”, enabling you to search by writing questions or ideas such as “find me an entry-level job in banking and finance” or “what job listings look fun for a person aged 17-18?”.
However, do approach listings with caution. Opportunities requiring payment upfront are almost certainly a scam. Also keep your eyes peeled for fake recruiter profiles. Look at the number of connections they have and whether they have a presence elsewhere online.
If in doubt, contact the company that posted the ad to confirm that the role and the recruiter exist.
Researching a role
Recruiters say you should focus on nailing the following: being error-free, on target and personalised. You’re less likely to hear back with a generic application, so do plenty of research on the company and the position.
New “deep research” tools that search a wider array of sources and provide more comprehensive answers have been included in updates from AI developers including OpenAI (which operates ChatGPT) and Anthropic in the past year, which are embedded in popular chatbots. Some platforms including Perplexity offer these features for free, with a cap on usage.
Guided with clear prompts, these tools can help give you insightful information about an employer or a job.
Ask these digital assistants questions about a particular role and engage in a back and forth — maybe even using voice functions — to build your understanding of a company.
Make sure to cross reference facts against sources including the company’s website, academic journals and trusted news outlets.
Putting together your application
When writing out your application — this might consist of a cover letter, a task, a string of questions or even a video — it’s important to link your past experiences, including extracurricular activities and internships, to the specific skills that the employer has set out in the job description.
Good research means you should feel confident when writing your application. Be careful not to get AI tools to write out the entire application on your behalf. Instead use the likes of ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude as an aide to think about how to answer questions.
Some employers have rules blocking the use of AI tools during applications, particularly for online tests and exercises. Read the listing’s terms carefully to ensure your application is not thrown out.
As this is likely to be your first job, it doesn’t hurt to convey enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in.
“Employers aren’t just evaluating your experience — they’re looking for qualities like curiosity, confidence, and communication,” says Harshal Varpe at Indeed. “Show that you’re genuinely interested in learning . . . and how you might contribute.”
All that’s left to do then is press submit.
