By Debbie Bunch
January 15, 2024
Depending on who you talk to, artificial intelligence (AI) is either going to save the world or destroy it. But a more immediate concern for a lot of people is, will it take my job?
The good news for respiratory therapists is the answer is no. Do a Google search for “the most AI-proof jobs” and you’ll find “health care professional” on just about every list — and many times, at the very top of the list as well.
But while AI isn’t going to take RT jobs, it is likely to change the way you search for and get a new one. According to the FlexJobs 2023 Work Insights Survey, which was conducted among 5,600 employed professionals in the spring of last year, 24% of people are already using AI in their job search and 33% are considering using it.
Here are five key ways AI could make your job search easier and more fruitful –
Writing Your Resume: Experts say the best resumes are those that specifically target the job being applied for, but customizing your resume for every job out there can be time consuming. AI sites will be able help. You’ll just feed your long form resume into an AI tool along with the job description in question and it will make sure the resume you submit for that job hits all the right marks.
Composing a winning cover letter: You can also put AI to work for you when it comes to writing your cover letter. These tools can not only check your spelling and grammar, they can provide feedback that ensures each cover letter you write is targeted directly to the job you are seeking to get.
Finding the Right Jobs to Apply For: These days, job seekers can quickly and easily apply to hundreds of jobs in less than a day if they want to. AI can help them winnow the number down to just those they have the best chances of getting. Indeed, this is already happening without any active participation by job seekers. Job boards are using AI to target ads to people with the right skills for the job in question based on the criteria they provided or, better yet, the resumes they uploaded to the site.
Interviewing Skills: AI can hone your interviewing skills by providing you with a good overview of the company you are applying to, the hiring manager you will face, and the role you want to assume. With good intel going into the interview, you’ll be able to tailor your answers to the culture of the facility and the needs of the department. AI can also help you see how your experience at your previous job can be used to meet the needs of the new facility, and it can give you examples of how others in your position have successfully demonstrated their skills to a similar employer as well.
Skills Assessment: Job ads generally cite a range of skills the applicant should possess. Do you really have all of those skills? AI can help you assess your current skills, identify gaps, and suggest ways to fill them. Making sure your skills match the job description will greatly improve your chances of getting the job.
AI is still new, and many people have yet to even try it out. Next time you want to apply for a new job, it might be worth taking a closer look at one or more of the AI chatbots out there to see how they can help you land the position you want.
