“Can AI really help me land a job?” Student reactions to the use of artificial intelligence in career preparation

Abstract

Many companies use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen job applicants. With more colleges also adopting AI programs to provide feedback on job seekers’ applications, will students be receptive to using these tools? This research shows certain key factors – perceptions of AI program effectiveness and enjoyability, higher networking anxiety, and being a first-generation college student – predict increased interest in using AI programs for career preparation purposes. Additional qualitative analyses also reveal why certain subsets of students have negative attitudes toward such programs. Recommendations for colleges offering AI tools and discussion of ideas for further research are provided.

Keywords:

• Career development and preparation
• artificial intelligence
• VMOCK
• first-generation college students

IRB approval information

The project described in this study was given approval by the CSUN Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects of California State University, Northridge (IRB #: IRB-FY22-158). All participants were given a consent form at the start of the study, as per the guidelines of the IRB at our institution. Identifiable information was not collected or used in our study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).