Guidance on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini can be a helpful and legitimate support when preparing your application. Used responsibly, they can assist with:

• brainstorming ideas
• organising and structuring responses
• improving clarity, spelling, grammar, and formatting
• summarising publicly available information about Nottingham City Council Housing Services or the service area relevant to your application.

If you chose to use AI, this should support your application. It must not replace your own experiences, judgement, or personal insight. AI tools do not understand context in the way humans do, cannot assess the reliability of information, and cannot represent your lived experience. Content that relies too heavily on AI may appear generic and may not reflect who you truly are.

Our recruitment process is designed to assess you - your experience, values, and approach - not a polished or automated version of you.

What we expect from you

• all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate, and based on your own real experience
• your application must reflect your personal values, judgement, and way of working
• you must be able to confidently explain and expand on any part of your application at interview
• any misrepresentation may result in your application being withdrawn

Authenticity is essential. Candidates are assessed on who they genuinely are, not on AI-generated or overly generic responses.

Acceptable and responsible use of AI

Using AI responsibly will not disadvantage your application.  Appropriate use includes:

• improving clarity and grammar: asking AI to suggest clearer wording or correct spelling and grammar in text you have written
• structuring responses: using AI to help organise your thoughts or structure an answer before rewriting it in your own words
• formatting support: assistance with layout, presentation, or phrasing while keeping your own voice
• research support: gathering background information on Nottingham City Council Housing Services or the relevant service area, provided you verify facts independently
• accessibility support: using AI as an aid to support writing, comprehension, or communication needs.

AI may suggest wording or alternatives, but the final content must be meaningfully rewritten, personalised, and grounded in your real experience.

Unacceptable use of AI

The following uses of AI are not permitted:

• providing false, exaggerated, or misleading information about your experience, qualifications, or achievements
• presenting AI-generated content as your own without substantial rewriting or personalisation
• fully generating responses or examples that replace your authentic experiences
• presenting the work, ideas, or experiences of others as your own
• manipulating or misrepresenting your application in any way.

What does ‘fully generate’ mean? Submitting content that has been written by AI and not substantially rewritten, personalised, or clearly based on your own real experience is considered unacceptable.

Good practice checklist

Before submitting your application, ask yourself:

• is every example based on something I genuinely did or experienced?
• does this sound like my natural voice and way of communicating?
• have I reviewed and edited any AI-assisted content carefully
• could I confidently explain or expand on this answer in an interview?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes, your use of AI is likely appropriate.