Applying for a job used to mean polishing your CV, writing a careful cover letter, and hoping a human would actually read it. Now, many people use AI to write their applications — and many companies use AI to decide who gets hired. The job market hasn't just gone digital. It's become automated.

Many employers now use AI to sort resumes, write interview questions, and analyze candidate responses. Job seekers, meanwhile, use tools like ChatGPT to generate cover letters and tailor applications quickly. This has made applying for jobs faster than ever — but also more crowded.

Recent research shows that after the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, cover letters became longer and better written, but employers trusted them less. Because so many applicants now sound polished and professional, it's harder for companies to tell who is truly qualified. As a result, hiring has slowed and starting salaries have dropped.

AI is also changing interviews. Some companies use automated systems to ask questions or review recorded answers. While this saves time, experts warn that AI can repeat or even increase human bias — for example, by reacting differently to names, accents, or facial expressions.

These concerns have pushed governments and labor groups to act. Several U.S. states are creating rules for how AI can be used in hiring, and lawsuits have already appeared, including cases about discrimination and accessibility.

Still, AI is unlikely to disappear from hiring. Supporters say it can help find talent that human recruiters might miss. But for many applicants, the process now feels colder, more mechanical, and less human.

The risk is not that AI replaces people — but that people start changing themselves to impress machines. And in that race, some great candidates may never even get the chance to be seen.