Use of Artificial Intelligence and Technology
How I Use Artificial Intelligence in My Career Coaching and Resume Writing Practice
Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of today’s technological landscape. From email and search engines to word processors and customer relationship management systems, I encounter new AI features incorporated into the platforms I use every day. The prevalence of these tools presents both benefits and downsides.
As a career coach and resume writer, I use AI tools for research, organization, analysis, and efficiency. Even so, I always apply my own judgment and take proactive steps to ensure client confidentiality and data security.
I am mindful that the use of AI may introduce additional risks, such as potential unauthorized data access, inadvertent information sharing, or third-party data storage beyond my control. These risks create complex ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding client consent, data sovereignty, and the potential for misuse or unintended dissemination of sensitive information. To address these concerns, I carefully review each AI tool's privacy policy and restrict the sharing of identifiable information when handling client data. I opt out of allowing AI to use content entered into my account for AI training. I use strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and a password manager to keep my accounts under my control. In addition, I continuously evaluate the implications of integrating AI into my practice to ensure that I not only adhere to legal requirements but also uphold the integrity and confidentiality expected in the coaching profession. These are a few ways I try to uphold professional and ethical standards in my coaching practice.
My approach is simple: AI supports my work but never replaces my professional judgment.
A Tool, Not a Decision-Maker
There’s a lot of buzz about what AI can create. I care more about how it can help me capture information, organize it, and deliver better results to my clients.
Throughout my coaching and writing process, AI helps me:
- Capture and organize information more effectively.
- Identify frequent themes and communication patterns.
- Analyze large amounts of text efficiently.
- Streamline administrative workflows.
- Generate ideas for coaching activities and educational resources.
- Create visual materials and educational content.
Because of these tools, I spend less time on administrative tasks and more time working with clients, understanding their goals, and creating strategies just for them.
For example, I use Fathom AI Notetaker to generate accurate meeting transcriptions, streamlining note-taking and follow-ups. Clients and I can access meeting summaries for quick review. Clients appreciate having instant access to transcriptions and find it improves our communication and session follow-up.
I also use Fathom AI during practice interviews, which has drastically reduced my turnaround time in providing useful feedback to the client. In the past, I transcribed each practice interview myself, then reviewed it to identify themes and problem areas and make suggestions. For a 90-minute meeting, transcripts can easily exceed 50 pages. Now the transcript is ready in a few minutes, instead of two to three days! I can dive right into the review process and spend my time re-watching the video, reading the transcript, and compiling useful suggestions for the client. Because the transcript has timestamps throughout, I can tell clients to watch a problematic reply and see for themselves how they answered, which helps them internalize my suggestions for improvement. The feedback I have received from my clients about their practice interview experiences since implementing this tool has been overwhelmingly positive.
Where Human Judgment Matters
Career development is fundamentally a human process.
Technology can identify patterns in data and offer suggestions, but it cannot fully understand workplace culture, individual career goals, leadership style, office dynamics, or the personal nuances of an individual’s experience—the interpretation and nuanced understanding of these aspects require human judgment and experience.
For that reason, AI can inform, but does not determine:
- Career strategy
- Positioning decisions
- Resume content
- Interview coaching recommendations
- Professional branding approaches
- Final written deliverables
Ultimately, my clients and I make these decisions together.
AI and Resume Development
It is understandable that new AI tools have prompted concerns about resume writing and professional branding.
AI can help identify keywords, organize content, and suggest improvements, but often lacks context and produces generic or exaggerated text. I always review and edit AI suggestions to align with the client's real experience, goals, and voice.
Throughout the process, I actively involve clients by discussing their experiences, asking for their input, and collaborating on resume drafts. For example, after our initial session, I share a draft of the client's resume and invite them to review it. We then discuss their feedback in detail, clarify their career priorities, and revise the document together to ensure their unique story shines through. This collaborative approach ensures that I deliver tailored materials that truly reflect each client’s unique qualifications and goals.
One principle I emphasize throughout my coaching practice is:
Elaborate. Don't exaggerate.
A resume should not fabricate a candidate’s background. It must clearly present their actual work, its impact, and its value.
AI can support this process by offering ideas and structure, but it cannot replicate the depth of review, contextual judgment, or personal connection achieved by an experienced professional.
How I Use AI in My Coaching Practice
The AI-enabled tools I currently use include:
-
- Fathom AI for meeting capture, transcription, and summary generation.
- Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Office AI features for content analysis and visual content creation.
- ChatGPT for research, brainstorming, content organization, and coaching resource development.
- Grammarly for editing and writing support
- SkillSyncer for applicant tracking system (ATS) analysis and keyword alignment.
- Adobe Acrobat AI features for document summarization.
- Apple Intelligence features for productivity and information gathering.
- Zoom for meeting capture, transcription, summary generation.
As with any tool, I evaluate these technologies based on how they complement my professional expertise. When deciding whether to adopt or continue using an AI tool, I consider how well it supports client goals, its reliability, security and privacy standards, ease of use, and whether it genuinely improves the client experience. AI tools enhance my processes but do not determine outcomes—those rely on the insight, discretion, and collaboration between me and my clients. Some tools have proven essential to my work, while others I use infrequently, or not at all.
Professional Responsibility
The value I provide to clients does not come from software or AI alone, but from my ability to assess their experiences, use technology as an aid, identify their strengths, help them articulate their story, understand employer needs, and develop strategies aligned with their background and goals.
Technology helps, but it cannot replace professional judgment.
Professional judgment always remains essential.
As AI technology continues to develop, I will remain committed to critically assessing and responsibly implementing new tools, always maintaining a clear balance between technological support and human judgment. My ongoing aim is to leverage advancements while ensuring that expertise, ethical standards, and the human element are central to my practice.