Introduction

AI is changing the way we design—not just the outputs, but the process itself.

Designers and writers no longer need to obsess over perfect grammar or polished copy in early drafts. AI can learn our tone of voice, pick up on writing conventions, and help us shape content that feels clear, consistent, and human. Researchers don’t have to comb through every transcript line by line to find insights—AI can do the heavy lifting, so we can focus on patterns and strategy.

And when it comes to job searching, AI can be a game-changer. Personalizing a resume and cover letter for each role is something we want to do—but when you're applying to multiple jobs, it can feel like a batch-and-blast process out of necessity. With the right tools, you can keep that personal touch without burning out.

Over the past few months, I’ve used ChatGPT to support every part of my job search—from writing tailored cover letters to reframing my experience for senior roles, refreshing my portfolio stories, and even speeding up my research practice.

This isn’t about outsourcing the work. It’s about saving time, protecting your energy, and making space for deeper thinking. Here’s how I’ve collaborated with AI to tell my story more clearly and confidently—without losing the human part of the process.

Collaborative Cover Letters (That Don’t Feel Like Templates)

Cover letters have always felt like a bit of a gray area. I’m never quite sure how much they matter—whether they’ll actually be read or if they really influence the decision to move forward. That uncertainty makes them hard to approach, especially when it comes to writing about myself in a way that’s confident but not overly eager.

With ChatGPT, I found a middle ground. I’d provide the job description, some context about the company, and a few key projects or traits I wanted to highlight. In return, I’d get a thoughtful draft that I could edit, refine, and make my own.

One of the most useful things I started doing was asking ChatGPT to identify relevant keywords or themes from the job posting and tie them back to my actual experience. That helped me anchor the letter in specifics and avoid generic filler.

I also started using ChatGPT to answer those short-answer application questions that show up more and more—things like “Why do you want to work here?” or “Tell us about a time you solved a complex problem.” It saved me time and mental energy by helping organize and connect my thoughts into clear, structured responses. I could focus on what I wanted to say, without getting stuck on how to say it.

The process didn’t just make things faster—it helped me strike a tone I was happy with: clear, genuine, and aligned with what the role needed. It’s still my voice, but with a little help finding the right words.

Polishing My Portfolio

Translating months of design work into a single, scrollable page is no small task. There's a balance between showing enough detail to do the work justice and keeping things concise enough that someone actually reads it. Your portfolio is meant to showcase your work—not necessarily your writing skills—so clarity and brevity matter a lot.

Once I drafted each case study, I used ChatGPT to rewrite every paragraph. This helped ensure a consistent tone of voice, tense, and structure across the entire portfolio. It wasn’t about embellishing the story—it was about making sure the writing was clean, professional, and easy to follow.

That layer of polish helped me focus on the substance of the work and how it was presented. The end result? Case studies that feel sharp and cohesive, with just enough context to highlight impact—without overwhelming the reader.

Bringing AI Into Interviews (and My Next Role)

So far, I’ve talked about how I’ve used ChatGPT to support my job search—but I’m just as excited about how I plan to use it in interviews and in my next role.

Let’s say I’m participating in a design exercise as part of an interview. I’m asked to tackle a problem, develop a research plan, and maybe even ideate a few solutions. These exercises are often time-boxed and high pressure, so why not bring in AI as a collaborative check?

ChatGPT can help you make sure you haven’t missed anything crucial. It can generate thoughtful questions to ask collaborators, suggest research or design activities tailored to the problem, and help speed up the ideation process without skipping strategic steps.

In fact, I tested this with a real project from my portfolio. I gave ChatGPT the project details and asked it to generate a research plan. In a matter of seconds, it returned a structured plan mapped out by week—including goals, stakeholders, rationale, and recommended methods for each phase. It was surprisingly thorough and gave me a strong baseline to edit and build from.

Looking ahead, I plan to keep using AI to craft research plans, synthesize findings, and streamline product copy—especially when I’m switching contexts or juggling multiple projects. It’s not about replacing my process; it’s about accelerating it with a smart partner who can keep pace.

Below is a sample research and build plan built by ChatGPT.