5 ways AI chatbots can boost your job and internship search

In recent years, generative AI and AI chatbots like ChatGPT have ignited a flurry of conversation on college and university campuses. We’ve been talking about it a lot at SAS, too, and for good reason – generative artificial intelligence has garnered significant attention due to its considerable promise and possible risks.

We’re committed to responsible innovation , and as the market leader with the most trusted AI and analytics platform, we’re dedicated to working with customers, partners and others to increase the awareness of, and need for, AI that is ethical, equitable and sustainable.

Curiosity is at the heart of what we do, and we know students are curious about this new technology. Innovative tech is a fixture at SAS, and we encourage our employees’ inventive spirits – including creative, trustworthy use of AI . There’s no doubt that AI chatbots are incredible tools; and that when harnessed correctly, they can make life and work faster and more productive.

If you’re a student, you may be wondering, “How can I use chatbots to boost my internship and job search?”

Here are five ideas (and bonus, prompt suggestions!) to get you started.

1. Resume writing

Starting from scratch to build your first resume and need an outline? Or do you have a base resume and need to customize it for a specific opportunity? Want to make your bullets more impactful or concise? Need help writing an objective statement? Chatbots are a great tool to help you refine and edit your resume.

Example prompts: [input information] Paraphrase this bullet to emphasize professional experience,” or “Rewrite this bullet for [job role].”

2. Interview prep

Got an interview coming up and need some practice questions, or looking for ideas for questions to ask your interviewer? Ask a chatbot for some examples – feel free to be as general or specific as you’d like. You can also ask a chatbot to pretend to be an interviewer and do an entire mock interview and then ask for feedback on your responses.

Example prompt: Ask me some behavioral interview questions for a software developer intern job.

3. Company research

Researching a company ahead of time is an important step of the job search and interview process, and AI chatbots make it easier than ever.

Example prompt: “What should I know about [company name]? I’m applying for a job there.” OR “What do employees say about working at [Company name]?”

4. Industry insights

Curious about a new industry? Use chatbots to aid your research. For company research and industry insights, we recommend using chatbots that provide source links so you can verify the accuracy and timeliness of your findings.

Example prompt: “Give me a paragraph summary about the ________ industry.”

5. Skill development

Looking to sharpen your skills? Chatbots can help you research and identify what skills you need and how to grow them.

Example prompt: “What skills should I develop if I want to be a [job role]?” For more detailed answers, ask, “How do I develop [skill]?” next.

Clearly, AI chatbots are powerful tools – in fact, ChatGPT helped us draft this blog! Just remember that generative AI isn’t foolproof or 100% accurate, and it’s important to apply your own research, judgement and perspective. Keep these tips in mind:

Make sure your prompts are clear and specific – this helps generate more accurate and relevant responses. If the initial response isn’t what you’re hoping for, ask follow-up questions or provide more information to refine the response.

Resist the temptation to blindly copy and paste – Trust us on this one! Always give AI-generated content a once-over before pressing send or submit to make sure everything is accurate and well-written (i.e., it doesn’t sound like it was copied and pasted straight from a chatbot.

If you’re using a chatbot to spruce up your resume or write an email, be sure to add your own personal flair – we want to get to know you and the authenticity that only you can bring to the table. Let your personality shine with simple edits to make your communications more authentic to who you are.

We hope this helps you navigate the emerging world of AI chatbots and grow your early career. Let us know in the comments – what’s your best tip for using chatbots?

Searching for a game-changing internship that’ll help you learn, grow and chart your path forward? Our award-winning internship program is focused on development, culture and community. Click here to learn more about our internships and early career opportunities.

Looking for more? Check out these other resources for students:

Virtual Interviewing 101: Tips to Nail a SAS HireVue

Resume 101: Tips + Tricks for Students

Navigating the internship offer process

Our SAS Culture Code