The development of AI tools is moving at an incredibly fast pace and, in some cases, introducing significant changes to the way we live our personal and professional lives. Therefore, being aware of how the use of AI can intersect with the job application and assessment process is important.
Whilst employers look for tech-literate graduates, they often have different perspectives on the use of AI in their application/assessment processes.
We advise the following
- Check the stance of companies you are targeting. Many have published their policies on AI on their websites. Our Internship Programme hosts may also indicate their stance on AI in their internship vacancy descriptions.
- Keep in mind that recruitment teams want you to be honest and authentic in your applications and it is difficult to achieve that if you use AI to draft your answers. In using AI tools, you risk sounding generic and uninteresting.
- The view on AI varies greatly between employers. In the Careers Service Annual Employer Survey conducted in May 2025, we asked recruiters: ‘Do you allow or encourage the use of AI tools in the application or assessment process?’.
- Only 15% answered “Yes”: half of employers replied “No”, they do not want you to use AI in your applications.
- People hire people who demonstrate and articulate the skills outlined in their job descriptions – have faith in your own skills and be authentic.
In this article, Aurora Energy Research (a recruiter of Oxford graduates) shares its perspective on the use of AI tools in the recruitment process.
We also recommend that you read the University’s position on the use of generative AI Tools to support learning
General guidance
If you do choose to use AI tools, think about how you can use them effectively and ethically:
- Think of it as an assistant, not a complete solution: AI can help to get you started, do initial research on a sector, offer a broad structure/framework, or help to “polish” your applications. However, it is never a substitute for well-researched, tailored and personal content.
- Make it your own: AI-generated content is built on what others have written in the past, and will tend towards the most likely words and structures. This makes it more likely to be generic and lacking the personal touch that only you can provide. Customise the output to reflect your unique experiences and personality.
- Check references and sources carefully: AI tools can generate inaccurate or outdated references. Always verify the information and ensure it aligns with your own research.
- When in doubt: You will need to make your own judgement about whether or not it’s ethical and advisable to use AI tools. A question you should ask yourself:
“If the employer asked you whether you used AI tools, would you be comfortable telling them how and where you used them in your application/assessment process?”
Use of AI in further study applications
Many universities now provide guidance on the use of AI tools in graduate admissions. The University of Oxford, for example, allows AI to be used to research materials in preparing your application but not to generate documents. Some institutions advise against the use of AI for support with personal statements altogether. It's crucial to understand the specific policies of your chosen institutions before using AI tools for your applications. When in doubt, it is safest to avoid using AI tools. Ensuring that your application reflects your genuine voice and experiences will best demonstrate your suitability for postgraduate study.
Personal data and privacy information
If you are using AI tools, please take care and consideration when inputting and providing personal or confidential data.
You should read the privacy policy when using AI tools and understand how your data are collected and used. Before inputting data or uploading documents onto AI tools, consider the question:
Would you feel comfortable disclosing the following information with a stranger?
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Email
- Phone Number
- Employment/Academic history
Do not share sensitive personal data such as financial details or passwords with AI tools. Avoid sharing your own or others intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, designs, sensitive information, or content created by others into any AI tools.
