THE #1 WAY TO USE AI IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

Let's talk about AI and not the overhyped "write my resume" kind.

You have probably heard how AI can 10x your job search. And while that's true, most people are wasting it on things that actually make them sound more generic.

• Resumes
• Cover letters
• LinkedIn summaries

But the smartest use of generative AI

⟶ Identifying the right roles and companies for you.

Because if your targeting is off, everything else – your messaging, your networking, your applications – is misaligned too. 

Let me walk you through the exact 3-step process I use with clients to help them generate a powerful, customized company list in under 30 minutes. 

Step 1: Know where you want to go

Before you ask AI for help, get clear on what you want.

Start by jotting down:

• Industries you've worked in (get specific! Not just "tech" – think fintech, healthtech, data, etc.)
• Projects or domains you have touched
• Industries you're curious about (AI? Cybersecurity? Sustainability?)

This is your brainstorming zone – no censors, no overthinking. Just 5-7 minutes of honest self-reflection.

Step 2: Now let AI do the heavy lifting

Once you have got that raw list, it's time to prompt ChatGPT (or whatever tool you use) like a pro. Don't just ask: 

"What companies are hiring in XYZ industry?"

Instead, feed it context:

• Your resume or career background
• Your top industries of interest
• Geography preferences (e.g. Singapore, Europe, hybrid)
• Any visa or work restrictions
• Desired company size or revenue 

Prompt it to act like a recruiter or career coach, and ask for a list of industries that match your experience and interests, and which are growing.

Then, go one level deeper,

"Give me 20 companies in each of these industries, headquartered in [Location], with [criteria like size, growth, funding, revenue, etc.]."

Boom. You now have a tailored company list without spending hours researching manually.

Step 3: Pressure test and refine

ChatGPT isn't perfect yet. So once you get that initial list:

• Research a  few companies via Google and LinkedIn
• Spot patterns and competitors (if it gave you Stripe, look at Wise, Airwallex, Aspire too)
• Ask it to expand your search by industry subtype (e.g. from "payments" to "payment solutions" or "payment technologies")
• Ask for more – "Give me 10 more startups in this industry that recently raised funding"

You should walk away with a target list of 35-40 companies, instead of the usual 3-5 "big names" everyone applies to.

I used to spend hours building this list manually with clients. Now, we co-create it in 20 minutes flat with sharper insight and better direction.

Try it and tell me how it goes. 

With you in growth,

Shub