Using AI Tools in Your Application: Guidance for Candidates

We recognise that artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot Chat and Gemini can be helpful when preparing a job application.

We are interested in hearing about your experience and skills in your own words. While we value people who know how to use AI, we ask that you minimise using it in your application.

We are keen to hear how your experience and skills align to our values and the skills and experience needed to perform well in our roles with clear real examples from you. To support you in this, please see guidance on the STAR model from the National Careers Service, which can help you ensure you are telling us your whole story. We also provide clarity on the skills we are looking for in our adverts.

Applications we receive are reviewed by at least two hiring managers and we do not use AI in our recruitment process.

There are boundaries around how AI should be used during the recruitment process, and we want to be transparent about what is and is not acceptable.

Our experience of reading applications is that those that have heavily used AI contain generic paragraphs that are strikingly similar to other applicants’ responses. This makes it extremely difficult to differentiate between applications, and doesn't provide enough evidence of your individual skills. There is a risk that we will therefore not be able to shortlist you. Instead, we recommend you ensure your application stands out by presenting clear examples of your actual skills and experiences in your own words.

The guidance below sets out how you may use AI tools when applying for roles at BHT Sussex and where the use of these tools would be considered inappropriate or unfair.