Custom GPT: An Essential Tool for Job Seekers
An innovative custom GPT has greatly assisted Indian-origin product manager Amar Saurabh in securing a pivotal role at PayPal during his job search.
Background of Amar Saurabh
Amar, who is in his 30s and based in San Mateo, California, previously worked at Meta for five years and then moved to TikTok. While the dynamic environment at TikTok was thrilling, he desired the stability offered by a more established company in the United States. Amar commenced his search for new job opportunities in April of this year.
Challenges Faced in the Job Search
Initially, Amar encountered difficulties during the application process. He mentioned that during the first two months of submitting his job applications, he received only a couple of interviews. According to a discussion with Business Insider, he noted the challenges he faced while navigating the job market.
Utilising Technology for Job Applications
To enhance his efforts, Amar employed ChatGPT to draft messages for recruiters and to refine his résumé. However, he found that the tool sometimes produced errors. He shared that having used ChatGPT for various tasks, it occasionally mixed up information or provided generic responses.
Building a Custom GPT
In response to these challenges, Amar developed his personalised solution using the “custom GPT” feature of ChatGPT. He called it PM Job Search Advisor. He uploaded his résumé, LinkedIn profile, and details of his projects, specifying his interest in senior product management roles. Amar indicated that the setup process took him approximately an hour and a half.
The Impact of the Custom GPT
The AI assistant significantly streamlined his job application journey. It facilitated the creation of tailored recruiter messages, adjusted his résumé for various postings, and aided in interview preparation. Before attending interviews, Amar would enter the job description and seek advice on which aspects of his experience to emphasise, as well as what questions he might encounter during the interviews.
Increased Response Rates
After two months of using his custom GPT, Amar observed a noticeable uptick in responses to his applications. While the number of applications he submitted remained the same, he received significantly more replies and requests for interviews.
Interviewing and Joining PayPal
Amar participated in interviews with major companies, including Reddit, Intuit, and PayPal, eventually joining PayPal as a lead product manager. He acknowledged that his custom GPT was invaluable in drafting emails to the PayPal recruiter and preparing for each stage of the interview process. When he received the job offer, Amar utilised the tool to negotiate his salary effectively.
The Future of Custom GPTs in Job Searching
Although Amar noted that his GPT occasionally forgot certain details, he felt that using it was akin to conversing with a person who might occasionally err but learns from those experiences. Now comfortably established in his new position, Amar envisions custom GPTs as a transformative tool for job seekers moving forward. He stated that the advantages of a personalised GPT are significant and are expected to evolve as more data is incorporated. Amar’s next ambition is to enhance the tool to autonomously apply for jobs and respond to application inquiries.
