Jane Lu, founder of the online fashion retailer Showpo and a Shark Tank Australia panelist, recently shared a cringe-worthy job application that appeared to be written by AI. The application, submitted by a Gen Z hopeful for a role supporting her business course, was filled with glaring errors and unfinished prompts.
In a TikTok video, Lu called it “possibly the worst job application ever,” comparing it to a “ChatGPT copy and paste.” Reading it aloud, she highlighted a line that read, “I am confident that my experience in [relevant experience/skill] positions me as a strong candidate.” Key sections, like skills related to “specific projects, courses or initiatives,” were left blank, suggesting the applicant hadn’t proofread the submission.
In a humorous twist, the applicant also left an AI-generated prompt at the top of the cover letter, which read, “Here is a more polished and articulate version of your cover letter.” This oversight left Lu in shock. “They’ve copy-pasted this thing that’s, like, half-finished,” she laughed.
Lu playfully advised her followers to “use a little bit of this,” pointing to her head as she reminded them of the importance of personal effort in job applications.
A YouGov study found that while nearly half of Australians are aware of AI tools like ChatGPT, younger generations are most likely to use them—40% of Gen Z and 37% of millennials have used ChatGPT at least once. Lu’s video resonated with viewers, who shared their own experiences with AI-generated applications. One commenter noted receiving an application for a “medical administration position” when hiring for airport workers, while another recalled seeing Google template prompts left in a cover letter.
For Lu, this experience underscored the importance of personal input, encouraging future applicants to ensure applications are complete and polished before hitting send.
