Copilot versus ChatGPT: Which is better for job inquiries?
BlackTechLogy: Could artificial intelligence help to reduce the time-consuming process of writing cover letters?
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I love to write. I love to write so much that I used to scribble on sheets of paper all day long until I learned cursive handwriting. And when I did learn cursive handwriting, I was serious about mastering it. To this day, and even from Generation Z, who too often cannot write or read cursive handwriting, I get compliments on my handwriting.
I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but every job is inventor in a dog’s mouth. I thought I was going to be a full-time novelist instead of going the journalism and editing route, but I’ve still purposely made sure to have some kind of writing gig or project even when my full-time work is in editing and fact-checking.
So, you would think that writing job submission content (i.e., resumes, cover letters, professional summaries) would be a breeze, right? Wrong. I hate writing cover letters, specifically when applying for the same kind of job and within the same industry — whether it’s full-time work or the decade I spent on Upwork.
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I used to be convinced that hiring managers and job recruiters didn’t read them. I’d get contacted for a job interview, and one of the first statements was, “Tell me about yourself.” In my mind, it was a way to avoid admitting they forgot why they reached out. So, what was the point of the cover letter if I wasn’t even memorable enough before the interview started?
My opinion changed when I was hired by a client to be an Upwork client. Once I was in the driver’s seat to hire writers, I realized why cover letters matter so much. The resume is going to be what it is — the years, the dates, the locations, the alma mater. But the cover letter is where you can point a finger and go, “Hey, look at me. Here’s why you should consider me and that one part in my resume.”
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The first time I tested ChatGPT writing
Up until this year, I’d completely ignored ChatGPT and other artificial writing platforms. Why would I use them? I already know how to write. But I was given a paid assignment to write seven types of the same type of dish, and I only knew one way to make it. So, I decided to try ChatGPT to see what artificial intelligence could come up with. That’s when I found my new favorite toy. This was much different than my experience editing AI legal copy and AI financial copy. I was both creating the copy and editing it to look as I wanted it to.
For people with overloaded inboxes, I fully understand why the AI-powered email app Superhuman may be the way to go. (I like answering my own emails though — usually.) And I’d used Gamma to create a slideshow celebration of my dog Junee’s fourth birthday. As much as I liked the artwork and how convenient it was to edit the slideshow instead of starting from scratch on PowerPoint, the way Gamma rewrote all of my text became a nuisance. I wanted it to read how I originally wrote the captions, so I changed everything back to my old way.
As I suspected, not all AI platforms are created equally, and I would not be impressed by them all. So, what about ChatGPT and Copilot? Would I want to rewrite their AI-written content too? Yes and no.
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Cover letters, resumes and even professional summaries can be treated similarly to new recipes. For example, let’s say I want to improve my career summary. This is the current version:
Shamontiel is a full-time freelancer with 20 years of journalism and editing experience, 17 years of digital editing experience, six years in mid-level management roles, 23 years of administrative experience, and 26 years of social media experience. She’s completed approximately 253 interviews for news, mental health and feature stories. Her volunteer leadership projects include being a two-year condo board president and treasurer, a five-time Toastmasters officer, and a yearlong host of a storytelling club.
I decided to put my career summary to the test and see if ChatGPT and Copilot could write a better version. This is what both AI platforms came up with:
ChatGPT rewritten career summary for Shamontiel
Shamontiel is an accomplished full-time freelancer with over 20 years of experience in journalism and editing, including 17 years in digital editing. With six years in mid-level management and 23 years in administrative roles, she brings a wealth of expertise to every project. In addition, Shamontiel has extensive experience in social media, with 26 years of hands-on involvement. She has conducted more than 250 interviews across a range of topics, including news, mental health, and feature stories. Her leadership extends beyond her professional work, having served as a two-year president and treasurer of her condo board, a five-time officer with Toastmasters, and the host of a yearlong storytelling club.
Pros of this ChatGPT career summary:
ChatGPT does a better job of separating different job talents (ex. social media, mid-level management) instead of merging them altogether in one list.
Cons of this ChatGPT career summary:
Because I largely edit in AP Style, the Oxford comma is bothering me. Publishing platforms that also use AP would question whether I know what AP Style is if I turned the summary in this way. I’m also not big on flowery adjectives (ex. accomplished, wealth of expertise, extensive experience); I’d rather highlight the numbers and the jobs to make the same point.
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Copilot rewritten career summary for Shamontiel
Shamontiel is a dedicated freelancer with two decades of journalism and editing experience, including 17 years specializing in digital editing. Her professional journey includes six years in mid-level management roles, 23 years in administrative positions, and 26 years of hands-on social media experience. She has conducted 253 interviews across news, mental health, and feature stories, showcasing her ability to navigate diverse topics. Beyond her career, Shamontiel has demonstrated leadership as a two-year condo board president and treasurer, a five-time Toastmasters officer, and the host of a storytelling club for a year.
Pros of this Copilot career summary:
This summary specifically states that I can work on a “diverse” amount of content. My original summary just listed the topics without highlighting the versatility. Copilot also reminds a reader that these leadership roles are sometimes professional and other times voluntary. In my original summary, that gets buried in a list format.
Cons of this Copilot career summary:
Like the ChatGPT summary, the Oxford commas return and go against AP Style.
Using AI writing assistance when you need it most, including math
Between the two rewritten summaries, I lean more toward Copilot. But like any other AI platform, sometimes the end result is a matter of opinion. For people who aren’t as confident in writing, Gamma, Superhuman, ChatGPT and Copilot are probably a breath of fresh air. They can treat an AI writing assistant the same way I treat ChatGPT when I need to do extensive math problems. (Calculating my rate to edit books by page, chapter and word count is not fun, and I’m exhausted any time someone wants to pay a flat rate instead of the hourly rate. I’m also grumpy every single tax season but refuse to let anybody else do my taxes. A math whiz, I am not! But I can do the basics.)
I don’t recommend depending on AI to write (or rewrite) an entire resume, cover letter or summary without reviewing it for any added touches. Like a recipe, just because the ingredients and cooking instructions are on the page does not mean you can’t season and spice it up as you see fit. AI writing gives you the box instructions. It’s up to you to open the kitchen cabinets and see what else you can do to make it your own.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the weekly posts every Wednesday. Thanks for reading!