“The biggest thing is using the job description as a guide,” said Sara Gould, senior assistant director for career engagement at the University of Florida’s Career Connections Center. “Go through it old school with a highlighter, find the language they’re using in their document and then apply that to yours.” 

Zero in on required certifications or skills before worrying about “preferred” qualifications. Look for words or phrases that are repeated or meaningful in the industry. See how your background and skills can be shared using this language. 

Formatting is also key. If the application specifies what kind of document to submit, follow those directions closely. Typically, a plain Word document or PDF is safe. Fancy graphics or complex columns might confuse the machine reader, so stick to a straightforward layout. Most hiring managers are interested in the substance, rather than the style, of a resume, anyway. 

And don’t make the mistake of trying to outsmart the machine. Tricks like posting the entire job description into the resume in invisible white text will get you noticed, but not in a good way. “Those things can be flagged as an anomaly,” Gould said. “It’s a machine learning system, so they’re learning those tricks, too.” 

Employers who see these warnings on your application will know you’ve tried to game the system. 

But never forget that your goal is to impress the human behind the AI. Avoid robotic lists of keywords. Try to seamlessly weave in the most important qualifications, skills and key phrases into normal language so your own humanity shines through. 

Resume keyword scanners also make the personal touch as important as ever. 

“Don’t let them stop you from networking, following up, reaching out,” Gould said. “There’s still a person there.” 

AI interviews: dos and don’ts 

Also known as recorded interviews, AI interviews are an increasingly common screening tool. They typically ask applicants to record themselves answering timed interview questions. AI interviews may also include skills tests, where applicants have to demonstrate field-specific knowledge or answer questions designed to test for critical thinking. While basic programs might just send recordings to hiring managers, the most sophisticated ones can analyze responses, tone, even facial expressions and eye contact. 

“Some companies consider the virtual interview the new resume,” said Ja’Net Glover, director of career services at UF. 

As part of the transition to skills-based hiring, these virtual interviews and skills tests can help employers find good fits early in the process. 

That may sound intimidating, but preparing for an AI interview is similar to how to prepare for an interview in person or over video with a human. 

“Ask the employer you’re interviewing with what to expect during the process,” Glover said. If you learn what software they are using, look up the program’s website and research how it works. You can even use similar tools to practice. Both Google and LinkedIn offer machine-learning-based interview prep. 

In addition to doing your research, take the AI interview as seriously as you would any other. Dress appropriately for the job. Find a quiet, well-lit room to record your responses. Imagine you’re speaking with a live interviewer and behave the same way: warm and professional, without a lot of fidgeting. 

One advantage in favor of job applicants? They’ll be on their home turf. 

“Candidates can control a lot of factors that in a standard interview they wouldn’t have control over,” Glover said. That gives job seekers the chance to practice in the environment they’ll have to perform in. And practice is always the key to a good interview. 

“The more they practice, the more it’ll help them feel confident and prepared,” Glover said. 

Resources available 

UF’s Career Connections Center helps prepare students for navigating the AI-enabled hiring process through instruction, practice and feedback from career counselors. 

Starting in the fall 2022 semester, the career center will also provide access to Quinncia, a new machine-learning-driven interview prep tool that provides tailored feedback on resumes and interviews for AI-driven job searches. Just like resume reviews and practice interviews with human coaches — which will always be a good idea — practicing with the kinds of AI software that UF students will encounter can give them a leg up on the competition. 

Career coaches also constantly educate other staff and faculty on campus about the evolving use of technology in the hiring process. And they work with employers to identify trends in AI tools to prepare students for what’s on the horizon. 

“This technology will continue to evolve," Glover said. “It’s not going anywhere.” 

Eric Hamilton, August 10, 2022 

• There are almost as many degree types as there are subjects to study. Luckily, most of these can be broken down into a few categories to help you focus your search. 
• Master’s degrees 
• These are typically research-based or career-focused, designed for students to enter the workforce after graduation.  
• Many master’s programs are designed to teach you all you need, but some can also prepare you to enter a PhD program. 
• Most programs take 1-4 years to complete. 
• Doctoral degrees:  
• The most common type of doctoral degree is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).  
• Most programs are research-based, allowing you to explore your subject with a faculty advisor. 
• Most programs take 4-6 years to complete, depending on your research. 
• Professional degrees: 
• These are specialized programs for fields that require licensing or other certifications to work. 
• Common professional degrees are Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). 
• Programs vary widely in the time to completion based on the field. 

Work backwards 

• If you know what you want to do with your degree, start there! Use resources such as O-Net and other databases to see what education is typically required for your future occupation.
• If your undergraduate degree is in a related field, ask your instructors what they studied and what they would recommend. 
• Check out LinkedIn profiles for UF alumni that already have the type of job you want. What did they study? 
• Set up informational interviews with people in your desired field to learn about their education. 
• Start looking for jobs you would be interested in pursuing. Pay special attention to educational requirements to point you in the right direction. 

Where should you study it? 

Now that you have narrowed down what you want to study and at what level, it’s time to find specific programs. Some of the research you did on your subject may have given you some options of specific degrees or universities to consider. If not, or if you need more ideas, you have a lot of tools at your fingertips. 

Professional organizations 

• There are professional organizations for just about every field! They can be great sources of information about educational options, and some have graduate program listings online. Find yours through your Career Community. 
• If you will need a license or certification for your field, check with the licensing agency to find approved programs. 

Graduate school databases 

• There are numerous graduate school sites where you can research and compare programs. Some of the most popular sites are Peterson’s, US News & World Report, and Princeton Review. 

Graduate school fairs 

• In-person and online fairs are a great way to learn about multiple graduate programs at once and make some connections in the process. Check out our annual Graduation and Professional Schools Fair on October 20, 2022, in the Reitz Grand Ballroom. 

How do you get there? 

Once you have a group of 5-10 programs you’re interested in, start researching each program and its admissions specifics. 

Go straight to the source 

• Check out the department or program website for more specific information about the process, including application requirements and deadlines. 
• Attend admissions events if the program offers them. You can learn more about the program while meeting faculty, staff, and possible future classmates. 

The search for a graduate school program can seem overwhelming, but you can find your perfect match by following these steps. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to completing the next step of your education. 

• Look at their organization’s website and other job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed to see if the job they offered you is listed there 
• Visit their LinkedIn profiles to confirm that the person contacting you is an actual employee of the organization they are representing 
• Contact their human resources department to verify that they are reaching out to candidates to make hires without fielding applications 
• If it looks like outreach from a university department, look on the University of Florida jobs portal 
• If the position is not listed and someone with an “@ufl.edu” email reaches out advertising a position, look them up on the UF Directory and search the department for their name and call the department to determine if the person works there and is looking for an assistant