How AI Can Support Your Overall Career Growth
Using AI Responsibly
Before you start using AI more, there’s one thing I want you to keep in mind.
Be careful what you put into AI tools (especially free ones).
My rule is simple:
If you wouldn’t put it on social media, don’t put it into an AI platform.
You wouldn’t share your bank details or private information online, so don’t do it in an AI chat either. AI Tools are powerful, but they’re still online platforms, not private notebooks.
What’s usually okay:
Job descriptions and public company info
Your own experience (without sensitive details)
Draft CV bullet points you’re comfortable sharing
What to avoid:
Bank details or personal ID
Confidential work or client information
Anything you wouldn’t want shared publicly
Because I work in tech and my Master’s research looks at the risks and opportunities of AI, I’m very intentional about how I use it.
AI should support you — not put you at risk.
Pause. Think. Then paste.
Using AI to Explore Career Paths
Using AI to Explore Career Paths
AI tools can act like an on‑demand career coach, helping you explore options you might not even know exist.
What AI can help you do:
Map your strengths to possible roles
Some platforms run AI‑powered career tests that analyse your strengths, interests, and work style, then suggest matching career paths and example roles.
They can also highlight industries you might not have considered, but that match your transferable skills.
Translate your background into new directions.
AI can reframe your existing experience (e.g., teaching, hospitality, admin, call centre work) into skills language that fits roles such as project management, customer success, operations, or UX research.
This is especially powerful for career changers who feel “stuck” in their old job title.
Test “what if” scenarios safely
You can ask AI: “Given my background in X and interest in Y, what are 5 realistic roles I could explore over the next 3–5 years?”
Key idea:
AI doesn’t choose your career path for you. It helps surface options and patterns — you still decide what feels right for you.
Using AI to Identify Skill Gaps and Plan Upskilling
One of the hardest parts of career growth is knowing what to learn next. AI can remove much of the guesswork here.
How AI identifies skill gaps:
Analyse your current profile
Tools can scan your CV or LinkedIn profile and compare it with job descriptions for your target roles to highlight missing or weak skills.
Some systems also use performance data and assessments to pinpoint technical or soft skill gaps (communication, leadership, collaboration).
Compare yourself to target roles
AI can line up “where you are now” with “what the job market is asking for,” then produce a clear list of skills to build over the next 6–18 months.
How AI recommends learning:
Curated course suggestions
AI‑driven tools can recommend specific courses or learning paths from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and others based on your gaps and goals.
Instead of scrolling endlessly, you see a short, personalised list: “Do these next.”
Adaptive learning journeys
Some platforms adapt as you go: if you struggle with a concept, they offer extra practice, shorter micro‑lessons, or different content formats.
They can also highlight which skills are likely to be in high demand in 3–5 years (e.g. AI literacy, data skills, cloud).
Key idea:
AI helps you focus your learning so you’re not wasting time on things that won’t advance your career.
Using AI to Tailor CVs, Cover Letters, and Applications
AI is particularly good at turning your raw experience into role‑specific, keyword‑aligned applications.
What this looks like in practice:
Role‑specific tailoring at scale
You paste a job description and your CV into an AI tool; it highlights gaps, suggests keyword changes, and produces a tailored version that mirrors the language employers use.
This is crucial because many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that screen for specific skills and phrases.
Drafting cover letters faster
AI can draft a first version of a cover letter that ties your experience to the role requirements.
You then edit it to add your voice, values, and specific examples.
Automating repetitive parts of the job search
Some AI job‑search tools can autofill application forms, track the roles you’ve applied for, and remind you when to follow up.
Benefits:
Less time lost to admin, more time for high‑value activities (networking, skill‑building, portfolio work).
More consistent alignment between your applications and what recruiters actually search for.
Non‑negotiables:
You must review everything AI writes for accuracy, honesty, and ethics.
Never let AI fabricate experience or qualifications you don’t have.
Key idea:
AI can help you move faster — but your voice, values, and judgement still matter.