Applying with AI

Making the Most of AI in Your Application

We appreciate that applying for a job can take time, energy, and commitment. With AI tools now widely available, it can be tempting to rely on them. Used well, AI can support your application, but it shouldn’t replace your experiences, your motivations, or your voice. This guide will help you make the most of AI while ensuring your application remains authentic.

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What Is AI and How Do We Use It at Trafford Council?

AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.

At Trafford Council, we’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.

When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:

  • A trained hiring manager reads every application

  • Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job

  • Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role

  • All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms

AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity. Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.

Using AI in Your Application

When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team. 

We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

Your application is your chance to show us:

  • Who you are

  • What you can bring

  • The values you hold

  • Why you want to make a difference at Trafford Council

AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.

AI is most helpful when used to:

  • Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria

  • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

  • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

  • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.

Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process

Do:

  • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

  • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

  • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

  • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

  • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

Don’t:

  • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

  • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

  • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

  • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice