News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by foota on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @01:39AM (#37761224)
...was this AI generated?
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by mongol on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @01:42AM (#37761242)
Yes. I would not normally do it, but given the question, I thought it served a purpose.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by s4i on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @01:50AM (#37761287)
It was all pretty good until "Remember".
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by RheingoldRiver on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:02AM (#37761377)
Nah I could tell by the first line.

> Detecting if a cover letter is AI-generated can be challenging, especially as AI improves over time.

huh? that doesn't seem true, it's pretty easy to tell AI-written work

> However, here are some general tips that might help:

Oh lol.

(actually written by me ways to tell):

- it will ALWAYS give an irrelevant first couple lines that sound like they're from a third grader's "haha you have to write an introductory paragraph" assignment

- it tries to "both sides" literally EVERYTHING it says. like if you said "how do you make a snowman" it would say something like "Learning to build a snowman can be challenging. However, if you live in a cold climate with snow, it's a great activity for both children and adults!" like what? why do you need a POV contrast here? but it will always do this.

- there's next to 0 sentence length variation.

- no idiosyncratic tendencies, eg using "like" a lot. Few people write like this, we write like we talk (as you can see I picked this example because I'm, like, guilty of it myself)

- no personal anecdotes at all. people like to talk about ourselves. the fact that an AI-generated response will never do this is very weird. (though I guess it would if you said "write a cover letter about myself")

I'm sure there's a shitton of clues that I pick up on subconsciously but yeah AI content is pretty obviously AI content.

Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by baq on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:09AM (#37761431)
This is all true, but just a few more words in the prompt make it way harder. Just adding ‘be concise’ can make it passable.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by mrmanner on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @03:19AM (#37761902)
The ten-point ordered list is a clue as well
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by addandsubtract on Thursday October 05, 2023 @09:58AM (#37778704)
> why do you need a POV contrast here? but it will always do this.

Pretty sure this is from all the blog spam it was trained on. They all use this writing style.

Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by foota on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @01:54AM (#37761315)
What stuck out to me is the number of bullet points and the numbering, as well as the closing sentence.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by xigoi on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:08AM (#37761422)
No, already the first sentence is typical ChatGPT style.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by yjftsjthsd-h on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:20AM (#37761495)
Especially the first line IMO; the rest actually seems mostly passable, but that first line immediately flagged as GPT-generated to me.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by Legend2440 on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @01:42AM (#37761247)
That's the point lol, you can easily tell it's AI because ChatGPT has a certain style.
Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by vjk800 on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:31AM (#37761568)
You can also ask it to change the style. Here are three (also asked it to make it more concise):

*1. Academic Tone (Concise):*

Detecting AI-written cover letters is tough, but here are quick tips:

1. Watch for flawless language. 2. Look for generic, non-personal content. 3. Check for odd details that don't fit. 4. Absence of human touch, humor, or style. 5. Beware of repetitive phrases. 6. Too structured? Might be AI. 7. Cross-reference details with references. 8. Try AI detection tools (varying results). 9. Ask candidates direct questions in interviews. 10. Trust your gut but stay fair.

AI use isn't all bad; authenticity and fit matter most.

*2. Informal and Conversational Tone (Concise):*

Spotting AI-written cover letters is tricky, but here are the real-talk tips:

1. Too perfect? Red flag. 2. Generic content? Not a good sign. 3. Weird details? AI mistake, maybe. 4. Missing human vibes? Yep, AI. 5. Repeating phrases? AI does that. 6. Super structure? AI-like. 7. Fact-check with their profiles. 8. Tech tools? Hit-or-miss. 9. Grill candidates with direct questions. 10. Trust your instincts, but be fair.

AI tools aren't all bad; some folks use 'em to jazz up their cover letters. What counts is the fit for the job.

*3. Sci-Fi Futuristic Tone (Concise):*

In the quest to detect AI-generated cover letters, here are key signposts:

1. Absolute precision: Beware impeccable language. 2. Generality: AI leans generic. 3. Juxtaposed fictions: AI might invent details. 4. Humanity essence: AI lacks human touch. 5. Echo chamber: Watch for repetitive phrases. 6. Algorithmic straitjacket: AI can be formulaic. 7. Verification: Cross-check specifics. 8. Detection tools: Varying efficacy. 9. Directness: Ask direct questions. 10. Intuition: Trust your instincts.

AI use isn't inherently evil; focus on fit and authenticity.

Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by iamflimflam1 on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:49AM (#37761695)
This is a dead giveaway:

“Detecting AI-written cover letters is tough, but here are quick tips:”

It’s his ChatGPT opens most discussions.

Re:Tell HN: Please stop sending AI-generated job application... by rahimnathwani on Wednesday October 04, 2023 @02:30PM (#37769563)

  but here are the real-talk tips
This has a "how do you do, fellow kids" vibe.