GenAI in resume writing, job assessments: Fair use or foul play?

Some bosses allow AI tools for tests; others bar their use to ensure fairness

- Megan Wee

Like many of his peers, final-year economics and data science major Jonathan Chan (not his real name) had been applying for jobs ahead of graduation in July.

One of the roles the 25-year-old applied for was with a local bank. As the position required computing skills, he had to complete a timed coding assessment as part of the application.

What caught him off-guard when the test began was a pop-up that flashed across the screen—notifying him that the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools was barred and that his eye movement would be tracked to ensure adherence.

Fortunately, the restriction did not stop him from completing the test and landing the role, although he was used to coding with the help of ChatGPT.

But his experience was rather uncommon. Several other young as well as mid-career applicants who spoke to The Straits Times said they had not been told to refrain from using GenAI tools.

Mr Benjamin Lee (not his real name), 23, completed his writing assessment for an internship role with the help of ChatGPT.

Instructed to plan a mock-up campaign, the second-year communication studies major turned to the AI chatbot for idea generation and he felt the practice was acceptable "as long as you don't use (the generated response) wholesale".

He said ChatGPT made tailoring his resume to different job descriptions more convenient.

He also turned to it for answers on what to wear for an interview and whether to initiate a handshake with the interviewer, among other things.

Another graduate, Ms Lim Zi Yi, aced her writing test for a content analyst role in a financial information company with the help of GenAI.

When she received her assessment, which was entirely in traditional Chinese characters, she promptly input the text into ChatGPT for translation into English first before working on analyzing it.