A new report has found that GenZ Scots, those between the ages of 18 to 23, are more likely to use AI tools to help write a cover letter or CV in a bid to give them an advantage over other candidates.

The advancements of AI has already rallied HR across the globe, with about 44% of HR executives utilising AI in their hiring practices, according to 2023 research from DemandSage.

New research from HiJOBS shows that young Scottish job seekers are catching onto the trend and using AI tools to give them an advantage on the other side of the hiring process.

More than eight in ten of GenZ (83%) in Scotland have gone to extra lengths to secure a job, with is 20% above the national average. This ranges from sending a boss a gift, to over-exaggeratting their work experience, altering their appearance, to using AI.

About one in five (21%) of GenZ has admitted to using AI to help write their cover letter of CV, compared to only 6% of baby boomers also responding to the survey.

Turning to AI tools may be a compensation for young Scot’s lack of confidence – over a third (35%) of GenZ see confidence as the main barrier to getting their target job, while only 22% of baby boomers view this as an obstacle.

The confidence gap may stem from a lack of necessary training and education, with nearly a third (32%) of GenZ citing this as an obstacle compared to one in six baby boomers.

But the confidence gap does not stop at the youngest generation entering the job market – the gap seems to grow, according to HiJOBS, until peaking between the ages of 35 to 44.

Glaswegians appear to cite a lack of confidence as their biggest hinderence, with nearly one in four (39%) citing it as a barrier to getting their dream job.

Glaswegians are also more likely to use AI to help with a cover letter or CV than the national average, 16% vs 11%.

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Those in the Highlands and Islands and the North East of Scotland are not nearly as concerned about their confidence levels, with 69% not registering it as a barrier to entering the workforce. This may, of course, have to do with other barriers facing the more remote regions of Scotland, such as less job availability, poorer broadband, and less academic institutions.

Job Trends Overall

Overall, the majority of Scots are looking for a job that benefits them on the whole.

82% of Scots expect flexible working options, despite current pushback against remote working. This rising to 86% for female respondents, who still are more likely to face extra care and home responsibilities due to societal expectations.

Scots are also interested in progression, with 82% wanting opportunities for professional development.

Stability and appreciation for work is also vital to the majority of Scots, with 83% valuing a pension plan, and 82% expecting paid overtime.

Staff benefits like these were seen as just as important to GenZ jobseekers as a company’s values – a third of GenZ would be put off my companies not aligned with their values.

This, however, falls to only 14% of baby boomers, nearly a third (29%) of which say they would take any job with the right salary.

Students appear to be the most put off by companies which do not align with their values, at 44% compared to just a quarter of those in full time employment.