How can AI help advance my career?

Whether you’re positive about the possibilities or concerned about the consequences, the reality is the same: artificial intelligence, or AI, isn’t going anywhere.

It’s already a practical tool. And with the NHS aiming for a "digital‑by‑default" future, AI will likely become part of your everyday work in the not-so-distant future.

So, the real question becomes – how can it help you?

One area where AI can make a meaningful difference right now is in supporting career progression.

As RCN Careers Coach Julie Watkins explains: “It can support you with tasks such as strengthening your CV, refining your supporting statement or helping you to prepare for job interviews.

“The key is not to be overwhelmed by it, but to explore how it can work to your advantage,” she adds. “Think of it as an assistant and an ideas generator.”

“It can even help you generate new career ideas by assessing your skills and matching them to potential career pathways,” says Julie. “If you’re stuck, for example, you could try something like: ‘I’m currently working in [X] field at [X] band. I’d like to use my transferable skills – what other roles might suit my skill set?’. AI will then provide a range of options to consider.”

There are, of course, a number of practical, ethical, and legal considerations when using AI.

Julie answers some important questions about these considerations.

What exactly is AI?

AI is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence.

This includes understanding language, learning from data, and making decisions.

There are many different types of AI and AI tools, but the answers covered relate to the two below.

• AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot).
• AI Content Generation Tools (such as Gamma for generating and editing presentations).

What’s an AI chatbot and how is it different to a regular chatbot?

Regular chatbots: these chatbots use predefined scripts, respond to certain keywords only, and are limited to whatever specific responses have been manually programmed into them.

AI chatbots: also known as Large Language Model (LLM)‑based conversational agents, AI chatbots are much more advanced than traditional robots and more commonly referred to in this context as bots.

In addition to answering questions, they can provide explanations, engage in casual conversation, source information, generate ideas, offer creative suggestions, help plan presentations or assist with writing tasks such as emails, reports, essays, and much more. 

How does AI help with CVs and job interviews?

AI can support you with defining your key skills for a CV, writing a strong supporting statement, and even helping with layout and formatting. You can also use it to build an action plan or simulate an interview to help you feel more prepared.

Many people struggle with how to phrase something on a CV or how to present their experience confidently in an interview. This is where AI can come into play: it can help you reword sentences, highlight strengths, or present information in a clearer way.

AI can also guide you through structured examples like the "CAR" method when writing your statement, helping you frame your examples using Context, Action, and Result, so your achievements come across more succinctly.

Is AI cheating?

Remember: AI is assistive, not authoritative.

It shouldn’t be the only tool you rely on for career exploration. Human insight is still essential – for verifying information, checking for bias, and making sure the suggestions are genuinely in keeping with your goals and situation.

How can AI help me as a student?

Always check your academic rules, but AI can be used in education when used appropriately. It can spark ideas, support early‑stage research and help you present your placement experience – be it phrasing it well in an application or explaining it clearly at interview. 

What about using it on a work device?

First check your employer's local arrangements and policies as some employers may not have approved AI tools for use. 

What privacy concerns do I need to be aware of?

Don’t ever share any confidential or sensitive data or information with AI tools as this can pose privacy and security risks. You can give a bit of context but not detail like name or address. And don’t post your CV in full.

AI tools collect and analyse data, often using it to train and improve its results. They don’t offer end-to-end encryption, which means data could be potentially exposed to unintended parties.

It’s always crucial to manage this data responsibly and make sure you’re compliant with data protection regulations. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with AI tools' privacy and security information, suggestions, and limitations.

How do I use an AI chatbot?

To use an AI chatbot, simply type a question, instruction, or request. This is known as a “prompt”.

The usefulness of AI chatbot tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot often depends on the effectiveness and detail of your prompt.

How do I write a good prompt?

Prompts should be clear, concise, and specific, providing enough context to guide the AI towards the desired information or output.

We have a useful list of prompts you can use and tailor to suit your personal circumstances for career ideas, exploration, planning, or research. You can also use a reducing text / concise language prompt such as: "Reduce the following text from my job application to 200 words maximum: [insert text]"

If you've already used a prompt such as "Give me 10 NHS interview questions" the response may be quite generic. You may want to refine your question, adding, for example, "relating to leadership”, or "relevant for a renal ward," or "relating to leadership skills."

How reliable is AI?

While AI tools are potentially helpful, applying caution is paramount. As responses provided are based on what you share with the tool and what’s available online, it’s important to verify information yourself. 

AI “hallucinates” when it generates information that sounds plausible but isn’t true – not because it’s literally hallucinating, but because of how large language models are designed to predict and complete text.

Make sure you:

• cross-check any output with reliable sources such as NHS guidelines, NICE guidelines, your organisation's best working practice and peer-reviewed journals
• use AI tools as a supplementary tool for generating ideas, rather than a sole and primary source of information.