Appropriate use of AI tools when applying for roles at NRW
AI tools are becoming more widely used, and we understand that some candidates may choose to use them when preparing job applications. At Natural Resources Wales, we support the development of digital skills, including responsible use of AI. However, it is important that your application reflects your own experiences, insights, and voice.
AI can be helpful, but the strongest applications are honest, personal, and authentic. We want to get to know the real you. It’s often clear when parts or all of an application aren’t genuine, and this becomes even more apparent during interviews. Over-reliance on AI could reduce your chances of being shortlisted.
This guidance has been developed in partnership with the Neurodiversity Network and Assisted User Group.
Why authenticity is important
Your application and interview should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills and experiences. It is vital that you do not use AI during any live assessments at any stage of the selection process. This ensures a fair selection process for all candidates where we assess everyone based on merit.
What we look for in applications
Your application should represent your skills and personal experiences accurately and authentically. Good applications help us understand:
- how your skills and experience align with the role or scheme you are applying to
- what motivates you to do your best work
- what you have achieved and how you did it.
The two main parts of the process are the written application and interview stages. In each stage there are different things that AI might help you with.
The goal of using AI in your job application is to help you show us who you are and what you are good at. It’s not about creating a persona that isn’t you.
Acceptable use of AI in applications
You may use AI tools to support your preparation in ways that help you express your own ideas more clearly:
- Organising your thoughts using frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Researching Natural Resources Wales to better understand our work and culture
- Exploring industry or professional trends to help contextualise your experience
- Checking spelling and grammar, while reviewing suggestions critically
Unacceptable use of AI in your application
There are limits to how AI should be used. The following practices are not acceptable:
- Using AI to “sound perfect” instead of expressing your genuine voice
- Creating or exaggerating skills, achievements, or experiences
- Inputting sensitive or personal data into AI tools
- Using AI as a substitute for reflecting on your own experience and suitability for the role.
Your application should be a true reflection of who you are. We want to read about your experiences, skills and knowledge, in your own words.
AI use at the interview stage
Your unique experiences, perspective, and personality are what make you stand out. During interviews, we want to hear directly from you. AI should not replace your own thinking, preparation, or creativity.
Acceptable use of AI in interview preparation
If you are invited to an interview at NRW, AI can help you prepare and practice beforehand. Some examples of effective use:
- you could ask AI to read the job description and create mock interview questions to help you prepare example responses based on your experiences and skills
- ask AI to generate sample behaviour questions so you can practice how you deliver your responses
- compare your responses to example questions with recommended approaches, and personalise them
- ask for tips on body language and communication styles for interviews, and practise these in mock sessions
- find out information about trends in an industry or profession that you can relate to personal experiences
It’s important to understand that while AI can help you prepare for an interview, AI must not be used to produce responses during an interview.
Unacceptable use of AI in interviews
The following uses are not appropriate and may affect your application:
- inflate or invent your skills and experiences
- create answers for questions you are asked during a live or pre-recorded interview
- create answers for situation-based questions
- provide an AI tool with sensitive information about your organisation such as figures or personal details