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Can AI help you land your first graduate job?

Finding a graduate role can be stressful; one pressure point is the time it takes to research and apply for multiple roles. Understandably, AI has become a key tool for many looking for a job, so to use it to its full advantage, we’ve put together the top ways to utilise AI and how to avoid the potential pitfalls.

When using AI, the key is to do the work yourself and allow the tools to help you refine what you produce. Graduate specialists, Graduate Mentor explain this really well by saying that  “AI tools can be powerful allies when used correctly, not to write your CV for you, but to support every stage of your graduate job search. Think of AI as a career co-pilot — someone who helps you explore career paths, fine-tune your applications, and prepare for interviews, without ever replacing your unique voice. Recruiters want real people — not robots. AI should assist your job search, not automate it.”

Here are the top ways you can use AI for your graduate job search.

Explore career options and job roles

Use AI tools to help you determine the direction you would like your career to take by asking questions such as:

• What careers suit my degree and the skills I have gained from university?

• How can I gain relevant experience in my chosen industry?

• What growing industries are hiring graduates?

• Who are the top employers in my industry?

When you have found suitable roles, you can delve deeper by identifying the skills you need for each role and finding online courses that can help you meet your gaps in needed skills.

Level up your applications and interview preparations

AI tools are fantastic for helping to:

• Draft questions for interviews so you can practice what might be asked

• Receive feedback on your practice answers

• Reviewing your CV or cover letter

• Identifying keywords from the job role so that these can be included and linked to your relevant skills for the role

Some recruiters now ask for no AI assistance, so it’s important to be mindful of how you use it. If your friend wrote a cover letter or CV for you, it wouldn’t sound like you- the same applies to AI. You want anything you write to be in your own voice and sound authentically like you. If it doesn’t, it will be quickly picked up during the application or interview stage. Try not to use complicated or unnatural language and include personal/real examples to show you have the necessary skills.

Employers are looking for tangible skills, so show them something that sets you apart from the crowd. Showcase your international talent to help employers understand the qualities and skills an international hire can bring to their company. Kika, a UWE Bristol alumni, explains this well by saying that you need to “Use the fact that you're an international student to heighten your chances of getting the job. Tell employers what you bring to the table. You are already living independently, you're out of your comfort zone, and you can offer two languages. These are excellent experiences and assets for an employer. The fact that you know at least two different cultures enhances your ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds, which is key to every company I’ve worked with. And the fact that you’re willing to move away from home, and that you’ve done this for a reason, for a better opportunity, is something that you should take pride in, so make sure you brand your international experience confidently and effectively to employers, as it can really impress them.”

Register for GradLink today

The career landscape changes rapidly, so it’s important to understand what employers are looking for and how you can share your skills with them. You can get further support from GradLink, which offers a free jobs board, careers advice and news for international students. Register with GradLink today.