Young Woman Lands Job Interview with HMRC Using ChatGPT
Robyn, 25, discovered the power of ChatGPT when she saw a job opportunity as a counter fraud investigation officer with HMRC. OpenAI created ChatGPT and it has been public since November 2022. This AI tool supports various tasks, from answering quiz questions to analyzing data.
Everyday Uses of ChatGPT
Robyn used ChatGPT for many daily tasks:
- Summarizing work emails
- Solving basic math problems
- Understanding Spanish grammar
- Helping a friend write a dating profile
Crafting Job Application with AI
For the HMRC job application, which had generic questions she’d seen before, Robyn used ChatGPT to save time. She inputted the questions, job requirements, and her personal information into ChatGPT. The AI then helped her craft her answers.
Success and the Interview
Robyn's plan worked. She soon got an interview invite. For the Zoom interview, she kept ChatGPT open in another browser tab. She informed the AI about the interview context, and it provided detailed answers to the interviewers' questions.
During the interview, Robyn used ChatGPT’s suggestions. She didn't repeat them exactly but integrated them into her own words. She estimates that half of her answers were influenced by the AI. Ultimately, she got a job offer from HMRC.
Declining the Job Offer
However, Robyn declined the job. She questioned if the field was right for her and joked about her use of AI as a form of fraud. An HMRC spokesman stated that using generative AI to respond to interview questions is plagiarism, and those found guilty would face consequences.
Increasing Use of AI in Job Applications
The use of AI in job applications is growing. A survey found that seven in 10 students and graduates might use AI for job applications. Keith Rosser of Reed, a recruitment firm, noted the benefits and issues of AI in the job market. He said that AI could help jobseekers reframe CVs or respond to questions but warned about the danger of misrepresenting skills.
The Future of Recruitment
Rosser also mentioned that employers are using AI in their hiring processes. He discussed the challenge of handling numerous applications created by AI. He believes the future of recruitment will focus more on assessing soft skills and cultural fit rather than traditional methods like CVs.
Combatting AI in Recruitment
To prevent AI use in recruitment, employers might use in-person interviews and timed assessments. This ensures that candidates can’t rely on AI during the interview.
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