Is ChatGPT Your Next Employee?

Many companies are struggling to keep their workforce and refill positions in a world that is working through post-pandemic issues such as returning to the office. Many have also changed product lines and additional offerings, requiring new skill sets and different workforce members. At the same time, potential employees seek to gain interviews and navigate the opportunities. Through this crossroads, one can also consider the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bridge the gap. But is it the total solution?

John Bailey noted McKinsey recently asked executives to envision the post-pandemic workforce. Disruption and digitization were the focus, looking at how the impact will change people's work. He also noted the effect of employee shortages, such as the recent disruption to the trucking industry. In the future, the automation of vehicles is being looked at to fill the need, allowing the filling of positions with technology. A recent article in Fast Company noted that ChatGPT could help develop content and create ideas, but it can't innovate. So while it can support work, people will still need to be available to initiate and deliver following generation concepts.

Does ChatGPT think it will help to fill the workforce?

Though intriguing and impactful, AI products are all about assisting with shortages and may create a renewed interest in the workforce. From having a mentorship with ChatGPT, individuals new to the career search can access answers regarding how to prepare for interviews, how to prepare their resume and gain insight to job and company expectations.

ChatGPT can be used by individuals in several ways to gain employment. Here are a few examples from ChatGPT itself:

1. Resume and cover letter writing: ChatGPT can help individuals with the writing process of their resumes and cover letters. It can provide suggestions for improving the structure and wording of these documents, as well as offer advice on how to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
2. Interview preparation: ChatGPT can help individuals prepare for job interviews by answering common interview questions and providing feedback on their responses. It can also provide tips for presenting oneself professionally and confidently during the interview.
3. Job search: ChatGPT can help individuals with their job search by providing suggestions for job search strategies, such as which job search engines to use or how to tailor resumes to specific job postings.
4. Skill development: ChatGPT can provide recommendations for courses or certifications that can help individuals develop skills that are in high demand in their desired industry. It can also provide advice on how to highlight these skills on resumes and during interviews.
5. Industry research: ChatGPT can help individuals research specific industries or companies they are interested in working for. It can provide information on job requirements, industry trends, and company culture, which can help individuals make more informed decisions about their career paths.

ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for individuals seeking employment by providing guidance and support throughout the job search and application process. Remember, the tool utilizes your information, so it may take several edits to get the information listed to fit your needs.

Should companies rely on it to select and onboard new talent?

From creating onboarding materials such as workbooks and digital courses to providing access to questions and answers regarding your industry, ChatGPT can be helpful.

However, it can also be of concern when people rely on it rather than utilize it as a tool to support their research and work. Suzanne Lucas shares the importance of "When A.I. Meets H.R.: Prepare Your Policies Now", including guidelines for ChatGPT usage. Her biggest takeaway looks at you and your employee's legal responsibility for your company and how it is worth the effort to ensure the responses from ChatGPT are correct. As with any tool, confirmation is critical to keeping accuracy and trust in a company.

Will you use generative AI in your business?

While ChatGPT is a great start, some A.I. companies specialize in tools and technology specific to your business. James Maguire notes the 100 Top AI Companies in 2023. You may need to realize that you already use A.I. in different forms, such as cloud storage and web service applications, healthcare and transportation, and e-commerce and manufacturing.

When ChatGPT answers how to use it in business, it offers the following:

1. Customer support: ChatGPT can be integrated into a company's website or app to provide instant customer support. It can answer frequently asked questions, guide on using products or services, and even troubleshoot issues.
2. Sales support: ChatGPT can engage potential customers and help them understand a company's offerings. It can answer questions about products, provide personalized recommendations based on customer preferences, and even facilitate the sales process by guiding customers through the checkout process.
3. Marketing: ChatGPT can be used to generate leads and engage with customers through targeted messaging. It can be programmed to provide personalized recommendations and promotions based on customer behavior and preferences.
4. Internal communication: ChatGPT can be used to facilitate communication within a company, for example by answering HR-related questions, providing onboarding support for new employees, or helping with IT-related issues.
5. Data analysis: ChatGPT can be used to analyze customer interactions and feedback, providing valuable insights into customer preferences and behavior. This data can be used to improve products and services, optimize marketing efforts, and identify areas for improvement.

Overall, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve customer engagement, streamline internal processes, and gain insights into customer behavior.

As every new tool comes out, its attraction is usually in its efficiencies, impact on revenue, and long-term growth. Adopting tools like ChatGPT can be at the individual or company level; the crucial issues are aligning it with policies and procedures and recognizing it can be of value alongside your workforce.