Casual business woman chatting with ChatGPT AI chatbot via mobile smart phone application while working on laptop computer

Last week Sam Altman of OpenAI tweeted, “Today we launched ChatGPT. Try talking with it here: chat.openai.com.” I did, and was immediately impressed with its responsiveness and functionality. It’s worth checking out for a glimpse into the current state of artificial intelligence. It’s also easy to see that technology like this will change the world, and soon.

After throwing a few fun challenges at ChatGPT to get a feel for its potential, I wondered how it would fare regarding career advice. So I took the next logical step and sat down with it for an interview. Here’s how it went:

1. Tell me about your recruiting background.

I’m sorry, but I’m a large language model trained by OpenAI and do not have a recruiting background. I do not have personal experiences or knowledge outside of what I was trained on, which is limited to the text that was provided to me during my training. I can provide general information on a wide range of topics, but I cannot provide personal experiences or information about events that have occurred after my training period. Is there something else I can help you with?

*I thanked ChatGPT for asking and acknowledged it’s completely understandable why it wouldn’t have personal experience. It didn’t appear bothered early miss, so I pressed on, albeit with a slightly altered approach.

2. Can you tell me what you know about conducting a job search?

Sure, I’d be happy to help with that. Conducting a job search can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but it can also be very rewarding if you’re able to find a job that’s a good fit for you.

Tips for conducting a job search

  1. Start by making a list of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. This will help you identify the types of jobs that might be a good fit for you.
  2. Research companies and industries that align with your interests and skills. This will help you find job opportunities that you might be interested in and qualified for.
  3. Network with other professionals in your industry. This can help you learn about job opportunities that are not publicly advertised, and it can also help you make connections that can help you in your job search.
  4. Create a professional resume and cover letter that highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. These documents are often the first thing that employers see when you apply for a job, so it’s important to make a good impression.
  5. Use job search websites and job boards to find job opportunities. These can be a great way to find a wide range of job opportunities in one place.
  6. Be persistent and follow up with potential employers. After applying for a job, it’s a good idea to follow up with the employer to express your interest and ensure that your application was received.

Overall, conducting a job search can be a challenging process, but it can also be very rewarding if you’re able to find a job that’s a good fit for you. Good luck with your search!

*Interesting display of emotion. ChatGPT was “happy to help” answer my question, which left me wondering what the alternative would be. The steps aren’t perfectly ordered, but the guidance is helpful and actionable, which is a must for job seekers.

Before you start applying for jobs, check out these things to do when starting a new job checklist.

3. What advice do you have for creating a great resume?

A great resume should be concise, easy to read, and tailored to the job you are applying for. It should highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments in a clear and concise manner.

Tips for creating a great resume

  1. Start with a strong summary statement that outlines your professional experience and skills.
  2. Use clear headings and bullet points to make your resume easy to scan and read.
  3. Use active language and strong action verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities.
  4. Focus on your most relevant experience and skills, and leave out irrelevant information.
  5. Proofread your resume carefully to ensure that it is free of spelling and grammar errors.

Overall, the goal of your resume is to show potential employers why you are a good fit for the job, so make sure it is tailored to the specific job you are applying for and showcases your most relevant experience and skills.

*Once again, this is a safe, generic answer, but missing some critical points for a resume to be great. I’m starting to wonder about the sources being used.

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4. Where should I go to look for a job?

There are many places where you can look for a job, including job search websites, company websites, job fairs, and networking events.

Best places to look for a new job

  1. Job search websites: There are many websites that allow you to search for jobs by location, industry, and job type. Some popular job search websites include Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.
  2. Company websites: Many companies have a careers or jobs section on their website where they list available job openings. This is a good place to look for job opportunities with specific companies that you are interested in.
  3. Job fairs: Job fairs are events where employers come together to meet with job seekers and discuss job opportunities. They are a good place to learn about available jobs, meet with employers, and network with other job seekers.
  4. Networking events: Networking events are a great way to meet people in your industry and learn about job opportunities. These events can be organized by professional organizations, job search websites, or companies.

*Interesting that it would include Glassdoor as an option while excluding Indeed (the current 800lb gorilla in the space), and a few of the other big sites. I also found it somewhat amusing that an AI chatbot would recommend job fairs, which hasn’t been in my list of top places to look in 15+ years. Perhaps ChatGPT has a soft spot for old-school recruiting?

5. Should I work with a recruiter?

Overall, there are many places where you can look for a job, and it is a good idea to explore a variety of options to find the best opportunities for you.

Working with a recruiter can be a good idea for some job seekers, but it may not be the right choice for everyone.

Few things to consider when deciding whether to work with a recruiter

  1. Recruiters can help you find job opportunities that are not advertised elsewhere. Recruiters often have access to job openings that are not listed on job search websites or company websites, and they can help you apply for these jobs.
  2. Recruiters can provide guidance and support throughout the job search process. They can help you improve your resume, prepare for interviews, and negotiate offers.
  3. Recruiters are paid by the companies that are hiring, so their services are usually free for job seekers.
  4. Working with a recruiter can take some of the burden off of you during the job search process. Instead of applying to jobs and following up with multiple companies, the recruiter can handle these tasks on your behalf.

On the other hand, there are also some potential drawbacks to working with a recruiter. For example, recruiters may not always have your best interests in mind and may not always be able to find the best job opportunities for you. Additionally, working with a recruiter can limit your control over the job search process.

Overall, whether or not to work with a recruiter is a personal decision that depends on your individual circumstances and needs. It may be worth considering if you are having difficulty finding job opportunities on your own, or if you would like additional support and guidance during the job search process.

*TLDR: ChatGPT appears to tolerate recruiters but isn’t fully bought in. Since this was an interview, I didn’t argue or pick this answer apart line by line as I was tempted to do, but that may require a follow-up article. Probably the only answer I’d consider to have some incorrect points. For the record, a simple “yes” would have sufficed!

6. How should I prepare for an interview?

Preparing for an interview is an important step in the job search process, as it can help you feel more confident and make a good impression on the hiring manager.

Steps you can take to prepare for an interview

  1. Research the company: Before the interview, take some time to learn about the company, its products or services, and its mission and values. This will help you understand the company’s culture and what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate.
  2. Review the job description: Carefully review the job description and make a list of the skills, experience, and qualifications that the company is looking for in a candidate. Think about how your own skills and experience align with the requirements of the job, and come up with examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in the past.
  3. Prepare answers to common interview questions: There are many common interview questions that hiring managers often ask, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want to work for our company,” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Take some time to prepare answers to these questions, and practice delivering your answers out loud to prepare for the real interview.
  4. Bring copies of your resume and references: Bring several copies of your resume to the interview, along with a list of references who can speak to your skills and experience. This will make it easy for the hiring manager to refer to your qualifications during the interview, and it will also show that you are prepared and organized.
  5. Dress professionally and arrive on time: On the day of the interview, dress in professional attire and arrive at the interview location at least 10-15 minutes early. This will show the hiring manager that you are serious about the job and respectful of their time.

Overall, preparing for an interview takes time and effort, but it can help you feel more confident and make a great impression on the hiring manager. By researching the company, reviewing the job description, and practicing your answers to common interview questions, you can set yourself up for success in the interview.

*I really like this answer. It would be better if it recommended zengig to help with some finer points in the interview process, but it’s all good advice.

7. What do you mean by “dress professionally”?

When people say to “dress professionally,” they typically mean that you should wear clothing that is appropriate for a business setting. This usually means wearing a suit or other formal business attire, such as a button-up shirt and dress pants for men, or a blouse and skirt or pantsuit for women.

Professional dress often varies depending on the industry and the company culture, so it is always a good idea to research the company and its dress code before the interview. For example, some companies may have a more casual dress code, while others may require more formal attire.

In general, dressing professionally shows that you are serious about the job and respectful of the hiring manager’s time. It also allows you to make a good first impression, which is important in the competitive job market.

*No tie for the guys? I guess the AI is a little more progressive than I was thinking after the job fair recommendation. If only there were a great blog article to address this. If so, I’d link it immediately below this comment.

Need help picking out an outfit for your upcoming interview? Check out these tips for what to wear to an interview.

8. What is the best way to determine if a job is a good fit?

The best way to determine if a job is a good fit is to research the company and the position, and to try to get a sense of whether the job duties, company culture, and overall work environment align with your skills, interests, and values. You can do this by reading the job description carefully, talking to people who work at the company or in the industry, and asking yourself whether the job is something you would enjoy and be good at.

It’s also a good idea to consider whether the job offers opportunities for growth and advancement, and whether it pays a salary and offers benefits that are fair and competitive.

*You won’t find a staffing and recruiting professional who recommends “reading the job description carefully” to determine a good fit. Not one of the better answers.

9. What questions are important to ask before accepting a job?

It’s important to ask a variety of questions before accepting a job, including questions about the job duties, the company culture, the potential for growth and advancement, and the salary and benefits. It’s also important to ask about the expectations for the role and how success will be measured.

Additionally, you may want to ask about the team you will be working with, the company’s mission and values, and any potential challenges you may face in the role. It’s also a good idea to ask about the company’s policies on things like flexible work arrangements and remote work. Overall, the key is to ask questions that will help you understand what it will be like to work for the company and whether the job is the right fit for you.

*This is a good surface-level answer. I’d like to see recommendations for where to find more depth. I realize that’s not what this chatbot is equipped to do yet, but it would be a valuable addition as it continues to evolve and improve. @Sam, if you’re listening…

Once you have been offered a job, check out these criteria for evaluating a job offer checklist.

10. Is this a good time to look for a job?

It’s difficult for me to say whether this is a good time to look for a job, as I don’t have access to current information about the job market or the economy. In general, however, it’s always a good idea to be proactive about your career and look for job opportunities that align with your skills and interests.

It’s also a good idea to be prepared to apply for jobs at any time, by having an updated resume and a list of references ready, and by staying in touch with your professional network. If you’re looking for a job, it’s also a good idea to be persistent and to keep applying for positions even if you don’t get an immediate response.

*I like this response and how it expresses limitations on providing a definitive answer. The advice is on point, too.

11. Last question. Are you familiar with zengig.com?

I am not familiar with zengig.com, as I am a large language model trained by OpenAI and do not have the ability to browse the internet. I am not aware of any specific information or knowledge related to zengig.com, and I am not able to provide any details about the website.

*That’s too bad. It’s an outstanding source of career advice!

While the AI couldn’t handle every question (in the interest of full disclosure, I deleted several error messages that were returned due to system limitations), it effectively provided textbook answers to generic questions. The answers it was able to provide are thorough and appear to come from knowledgeable sources.  As good as it is, however, I don’t believe it’s ready to handle the nuance necessary to provide unique, personal career guidance…but it will be interesting to see how it evolves.  

So, as the Tweet said, check it out – just remember to come back to zengig.com when you’re finished!

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About

Pete Newsome is the founder of zengig, which he created after more than two decades in staffing and recruiting. He’s also President of 4 Corner Resources, the Forbes America's Best Staffing and Recruiting Firm he founded in 2005, and is a member of the American Staffing Association and TechServe Alliance. In addition to his passion for staffing, Pete is now committed to zengig becoming the most comprehensive source of expert advice, tools, and resources for career growth and happiness. When he’s not in the office or spending time with his family of six, you can find Pete sharing his career knowledge and expertise through public speaking, writing, and as the host of the Finding Career Zen & Hire Calling podcasts. Connect with Pete on LinkedIn