Possibly screwed over by AI

[Zkr623]

In the interests of time and to avoid errors, I wanted to reply as quickly and smoothly to an interview request by email from a recruiter who wanted to move to the next step. So I let my AI app formulate a quick reply. Only after sending, I noticed AI had added a telltale 'signature' to the bottom.

" Thank you for reaching out. Thursday, November 20th at 1pm works perfectly—I’ll be available and looking forward to our conversation.

You can reach me at (XXX) XXX XXXX.

Best regards,

Would you like a slightly more casual or more formal version as well? You can reach me at 2XX XXX XXXX

"

Am I screwed? AI suggested a followup to tell her to disregard the last email BUT that would just draw more attention to it. I am so embarassed. Aren't recruiters trained to look for details? Is this over?

I don't know how you expect anyone else to tell you whether you're screwed or not! We don't know if the recruiter even noticed or, if they did, whether they'd care.

Honestly I think they could probably tell it was AI even without the signature. The whole thing just doesn't sound very natural - 'reaching out' is quite American and (at least in my experience) not as commonly used here, and most people wouldn't repeat the time and date.

To be honest it's probably one of those things where if they have hundreds of candidates then someone who (they might interpret)
a) was too lazy or lacked the confidence to write such an easy email and
b) so slapdash as to miss the signature
would be an easy cut. On the other hand if they are struggling for decent applicants or you tick the box in every way they'd probably overlook it.

The fact you needed AI for such a basic email would put me right off hiring you if I'm honest. I'd wonder why you couldn't do that yourself.

So you used AI
AI fucked up
You wrote some of it but you made a spelling mistake?
Its for a interview? But you said you were looking forward to the conversation?
Depending on the job role, I wouldnt be to impressed

Depends what the role is. My employer probably wouldn't bat at an eye as long as there was no indication the application was written by AI. Some employers are also quite keen on using things like copilot so you could always say you've been trying out something like that - which essentially you were.

Well I hope attention to detail is not a requirement in the job you are applying for

If it's quick a confirmation email, why on earth are you using AI? Good job you didn't want the job anyway.

I mean, surely creating the prompt would have taken you longer than just writing out a short email?!

Attention to detail and not being lazy are important in most jobs.... in fact probably all jobs. I'd consider someone using AI and not even checking it as unemployable really.

We would never hire anyone using the terms, 'reaching out', 'synergy', 'blue skying thinking', 'drilling down' or 'wanking' on their application.

Words can say a lot about a person.

It would rule you out where I work as we use AI a lot, and you've proven you can't do that with care.

The spelling mistake would also be a red flag, although could be overlooked without the other mistake.

Others might rule you out just for using AI.

So I think it's highly likely you've messed up your chances, try to learn from it (by owning up to your mistake, not blaming AI).

I don’t know if you’re screwed. Yes it’s a bad look. But as always, it depends on the other applicants. If you were the preferred candidate at that point then it might not matter much. If there wasn’t much between you and another candidate then I guess the mistake could be more costly. Good luck.

Ask AI if you are screwed?

👌

Did anyone see the Pakistani Newspaper that wrote a whole article on ChatGPT and forgot to take the prompt out - it was in the news last week 😂

Seriously, I don't see an issue with using AI to write emails or reply to job adverts but you really need to proofread it carefully and make it less "AI" which is where you went wrong. I'd be prepared to be called out on it during the interview or for the interview to be cancelled, depending who the email was for. Not for AI use or laziness but for lack of attention to detail.

Also, I have had to stop using emdashes when I write! I used them loads and everyone thought I was using AI - they are a total giveaway to AI use!

Much easier just to type it yourself.
Lazy enough to use AI. To lazy to bother checking it properly.
I would be clicking delete and next immediately.

What’s the job? Personally, I don’t think coming across as lazy and slapdash, or incapable of writing a simple response without the help of AI, are qualities I would be seeking in a future employee.

There seems to be a massive double standard when it comes to AI and recruitment.

It's fine for employers to use it to the extent that they don't even speak to people, they just use a bot.

But woe betide any candidate who uses it.

However, OP, if you do use it, you do need to proof-read properly. And don't use "reach out". Unless you are in the US. Its use seems to have exploded in the past couple of years and it makes no sense. What was wrong with things like get in touch or contact?

Laziness and lack of attention to detail. I wouldn’t be impressed.

Nothing wrong with using AI in my line of work (marketing) but lack of attention to detail and not reading through before submitting would definitely put employers off

It would have taken longer to type the prompts into AI than to type your one line email all by yourself...

If you were applying to our team it would bother me as we require ability to write emails and attention to detail. But it might depend on the job.

And no, you haven't been screwed over by AI, but you may well have been by your own failure to check what you sent before you sent it

This is one of the reasons I don't do much with AI; I'm dyslexic and abysmal at proof reading, so no judgement from me on that front.

However, one thing worth considering while job hunting is that no part of any recruitment process is 'informal'. Any interaction you have in the context of getting a job could be the difference between you getting it and not, including every document, every email, and every person you meet from the second you arrive on the premises. It's not nit-picky or shallow for a recruiter to use every piece of information they have to make sure they get the right person for the job.

In my organisation, HR would have offered you a timeslot so I wouldn’t see the response.

I don’t think that’s really the case here. Most employers don’t have an issue with people using AI for CVs and cover letters. But OP used it for a one line reply because in her words she was too lazy. And she’s not even dealing with a random employer who won’t read her emails, it’s a recruiter. There’s a time and place for AI and this wasn’t it