How graduate students can harness AI in the job search

Searching for a job as a graduate student is both exciting and overwhelming. A recent Grad15 session on using AI in the job search (led by Evan Walsh, a career advisor at Harvard Medical School) offered practical strategies to help students navigate this process with greater confidence and efficiency. 

Here are the key takeaways that every graduate student should know. 

1. Why AI matters in the job search 

The job search is stressful and time-consuming. AI tools can streamline tasks, provide fresh perspectives, and boost your confidence. In fact, candidates who use AI in their search are twice as likely to land interviews and offers compared to those who don’t. 

Common uses include: 

• Resumes & Cover Letters: 69% of job seekers use AI to polish these documents. 
• Employer Research & Interview Prep: Only 10–15% use AI here, but this is one of the most impactful applications. 
• Networking: AI can help draft messages, suggest questions, and reduce the stress of reaching out. 

The key point: AI won’t replace your effort, but it can make the process more effective and manageable. 

2. Clarifying your skills, interests and values 

Graduate school sometimes means rethinking career directions. Walsh emphasized using AI for self-reflection and career clarity: 

• Upload your CV or resume (without personal details) and ask AI to identify transferable skills. 
• Prompt it to generate career paths aligned with your skills, interests, and values (SIV framework). 
• Use it for a values exploration activity to uncover what motivates you and where you’ll find meaning in work. 
  
  Example Prompt: Based on my background [insert resume], what are five transferable skills and three career paths that align with my values of collaboration and equity? 

The key point: This approach helps graduate students consider less obvious career options and connect personal values to professional opportunities. 

3. Discovering employers and opportunities 

AI can expand your job search beyond the “big name” employers everyone knows. Instead of endlessly scrolling through job boards: 

• Ask AI to identify mid-sized companies in a specific location that hire in your field. 
• Request targeted suggestions by industry, role type, or values. 

The key point: This method saves time and introduces organizations you may never have encountered otherwise. 

4. Enhancing resumes and cover letters 

Tailoring applications is one of the most labor-intensive parts of the job search. AI can: 

• Revise bullets to emphasize impact and measurable results. 
• Suggest language for cover letters. 
• Act as a mock Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to identify missing keywords. 

The key point: Don’t copy and paste. Recruiters recognize “AI tone.” Instead, use AI output as a brainstorming tool, then rewrite in your own authentic voice. Always quantify achievements yourself (e.g., percentages, project outcomes). 

 

5. Making networking less intimidating 

Networking fills 80–90% of jobs in the U.S., yet it’s often anxiety-inducing. AI can help by: 

• Drafting personalized outreach messages to alumni or professionals. 
• Generating thoughtful questions for informational interviews. 

• Suggesting polite follow-ups or thank-you notes. 

  
  
  Example Prompt: I’m doing an informational interview with a healthcare analyst at a biotech company. What are five thoughtful questions I could ask to learn about their work and organization? 

The key point: This helps graduate students move past the stress of “what do I say?” and focus on building genuine connections. 

 

6. Preparing for interviews and negotiations 

Interviews and salary negotiations are high-stakes moments. AI can: 

• Conduct mock interviews, generating questions and helping structure STAR-method answers. 
• Provide salary research, tailored to your degree, years of experience, location, and industry. 
• Suggest negotiation language to help you advocate for fair pay. 

The key point: Walsh emphasized especially for women and underrepresented groups that AI can help level the playing field by providing data and building confidence. 

 

7. Use AI wisely: It’s you and AI not you through AI 

Perhaps the most important advice: AI should augment, not replace your job search. Use it as: 

• A reflection tool. 
• A brainstorming partner. 
• A confidence booster. 

The key point: Always adapt AI outputs into your own words, voice, and authentic story. As Walsh put it: “It should be AI plus you, not you through AI.” 

Final thoughts 

AI is not a silver bullet, but it can make the job search less daunting and more strategic. Start small— try it to explore employers or draft a networking message. Over time, integrate it into resumes, interviews, and salary prep. 

For graduate students balancing academics and career planning, these tools can free up time, reduce stress, and help you step into the job market with clarity and confidence. 

 

Want more examples of AI prompts for different stages of your job search? Review this list.