Using AI in your job application

Technology is changing the way we work, and that includes how candidates apply for jobs. At M&S, we’re open to you using tools like ChatGPT or other generative AI to support your application but only when it helps you showcase the real you. We’re always excited to meet talented people who act responsibly, work hard and care deeply about doing the right thing. If you’re planning to use AI as part of your M&S application, here’s what we ask you to keep in mind.

Don’t rely on AI as your sole source of research about our business. These tools are often inaccurate or out of date. 

Use AI to support, not replace

AI can be a brilliant way to help you prepare, organise and refine your application.

• Organise your ideas: AI can help you plan how to structure a CV or application response but always make sure that the content is accurate to your career and experience.
• Refine your work: It’s fine to ask AI to improve grammar or flow but make sure the final version sounds like you and represents you and your experience in the best way.
• Get interview-ready: Ask AI to suggest practice questions or help you shape answers and think of real examples from your experience. Don’t use it to create fake examples – we’re looking for authenticity and demonstratable skills.

Don’t let AI speak for you

At M&S, we’re passionate about our differences and the diversity of thought our colleague bring to our business. We want to hear about you. That means:

• No copying and pasting generic answers from AI into your application. We see thousands of applications every day so we're able to spot a generated answer very quickly and easily.
• No made-up examples - real-life stories help us understand your strengths, your experience and what gets you out of bed every day.
• No live help during interviews or assessments - this is your moment to shine, and it’s important we see your thinking, not the tool’s. We want you to be focused on doing your best, not distracted.

Don’t rely on AI as your sole source of research about our business. These tools are often inaccurate or out of date. 

Why it matters

Our recruitment team is looking for the very best talent to help us to become a better, faster and more innovative business. We’re obsessed with quality and doing the right thing by our colleagues, customers and communities and that is reflected in our workforce too. Because of this, we want top talent who’ll bring honesty, curiosity and personality to their role. If your application feels overly polished or impersonal, it’s harder for us to understand who you are and that’s a missed opportunity for both of us.

Using AI in the right way can help you feel more confident, more prepared, and better able to show us your potential. But it should never hide the human behind the screen.

A good rule of thumb?

Use AI to improve, not to define, your job application for us.

If in doubt, ask yourself: Does this sound like me? Can I back it up? Would I say this in an interview? Would I phrase it in that way? If the answers to those questions are yes, you’re on the right track.

You can always let us know if you need any support or adjustments during the application or interview process. We want you to be supported to do your very best and our Recruitment teams are always here to help.

Your future at M&S starts with you and your authentic story. Let’s hear it.