The job search is changing rapidly. More and more people are submitting applications completely created by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This goes beyond a written cover letter. It even includes entire project collections and code examples. For many, this is a new, fast way to apply.
This is important because it fundamentally changes the application process. If AI not only writes texts but also creates alleged work samples, companies can hardly assess an applicant's true abilities. The risk of hiring the wrong person increases significantly. At the same time, unfair competition arises. Authenticity and genuine performance become less important.
Tom MacWright, a well-known developer, reports many applications. These were obviously co-written by large language models, or LLMs. These documents then refer to AI-created portfolio websites. These websites, in turn, lead to GitHub projects with only AI-written commit messages. This means: A complete application process can now happen machine-driven. A human does not have to do much.
For you as an employee or freelancer, this means: You need to consider how to show your true skills and personality. If everyone uses AI, it becomes harder to stand out. Your human touch and unique experiences could become a significant advantage. Those who previously only used standard applications must now think differently.
Companies face a problem. If more and more applications come from AI, they must find new ways to discover real talent. Classic job interviews, practical tests, or thorough reference checks become more important. There is a risk of a cost trap. Companies could hire unsuitable candidates who do not possess their advertised skills.
The opportunity lies in speed for applicants. Those who know how to give AI the right instructions – i.e., use good prompts – can significantly accelerate the application process. There are also opportunities for companies: AI can help pre-sort a large number of applications if used correctly. The focus then shifts to human review of the best candidates.
The biggest risk is the loss of control over the quality of new employees. If an AI creates an entire portfolio, the applicant often cannot explain or replicate the work themselves. This leads to mis-hires. These are expensive and burden team performance. Ethical questions also arise: Is it fraud to present AI-generated content as your own?
