New Delhi: A recent post by Ananya Narang, the founder and CEO of Entourage, on the social media platform X, has gone viral after she shared a bizarre job application filled with placeholders instead of actual details. The post sparked a debate on AI misuse and lack of attention to detail in job applications.
Ms. Narang posted a screenshot of the cover letter, which was clearly generated from a template but left unedited by the applicant. Key sections that were meant to highlight skills and experience still read:
“I’m proficient in (mention your key skills, e.g., graphic design, social media strategy, research), and I’m passionate about (explain briefly how you can add value, e.g., creating engaging content, analyzing trends, supporting strategic initiatives).”
Frustrated by the lack of effort, Narang remarked, “No wonder we have so much unemployment today.” She then asked users for advice on how to respond to the applicant. In a follow-up post, she drafted a humorous reply:
“Dear [Applicant’s Name], Thank you for your interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. It appears your cover letter was an unedited AI-generated message, likely from ChatGPT.”
Online Reactions to AI-Goofed Cover Letter
Her post quickly gained traction, with several users commenting that such AI-generated applications have become increasingly common. Some pointed out the irony that the applicant failed to proofread and correctly use AI-generated content.
- “You should use ChatGPT to send a regret letter too,” one user suggested.
- “Create a prompt teaching them how to properly copy-paste next time,” another commented.
- Some humorously referred to the incident as “Natural stupidity with artificial intelligence.”
Rise of AI Tools and the Job Market
While AI tools like ChatGPT have become popular for tasks like creating resumes and cover letters, this incident highlights the importance of personal input and proof reading when applying for jobs.
Narang’s post serves as a reminder that AI is only a tool, and applicants still need to showcase effort and attention to detail to stand out in competitive job markets.
