One in eight people on earth use ChatGPT, but many are still using it ineffectively
ChatGPT crossed over one billion users within two and a half years since its launch. It鈥檚 permeated thousands of workplaces worldwide and has been the catalyst to set off the AI revolution.
But even though one in eight of the global population are using this generative AI tool, there are still many professionals who are not utilizing it the way it should be.
Incorporating AI into your workflow or using it to help you make money as a freelancer is not as simple as plug-and-play and hope for the best. You need to be strategic and ensure that you’re avoiding making the common mistakes that others are falling into, so that you stand out in an AI-ridden job market.
In this article, we鈥檒l explore a few common mistakes that both employed professionals and freelancers make when using ChatGPT, and how to fix them easily.
The 5 Biggest Mistakes ChatGPT Users Make
No doubt you鈥檝e heard, 鈥淕enerative AI will replace your job,鈥 or 鈥淐hatGPT will make you money.鈥 And while both statements are true to a great extent, here鈥檚 the part you need to know even more importantly:
Using AI won鈥檛 supplement your expertise.
In fact, copy-pasting ChatGPT or other generative AI outputs weakens your credibility.
Credibility equals clients or job opportunities, and clients/career opportunities equal income; so if you lose your credibility, do the math, and you lose your income.
Here are the mistakes you鈥檙e likely already repeating every day you use ChatGPT, plus how to remedy them:
1. Using ChatGPT Verbatim
If you use AI outputs to write your content for you, you have a big problem.
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Here鈥檚 what you should do instead:
Let AI assist you in outlining, brainstorming, researching, and grammar-checking. Even use it to give you ideas to spruce up your existing content. But never copy-paste ChatGPT word-for-word and pass it off as your own.
Also, don鈥檛 forget to incorporate personal stories and insight into your content. This makes you more relatable, and more trust, connections, and rapport, leads to more partnerships, clients, and job opportunities. People are the currency of business after all.
2. Using ChatGPT To Completely Write Your Resume
There鈥檚 nothing wrong in using AI to write your resume, but you must know where your limits are. After all, only you can sell your story honestly.
ResumeNow鈥檚 recent Hiring Trends survey of more than 900 professionals noted that most recruiters and talent managers are cautious about candidates using AI to create their resumes, noting that their should be regulations in place or this can cost them their jobs.
鈥淲orkers using AI to write applications should do so thoughtfully,鈥 ResumeNow suggests. “While AI can help with formatting and phrasing, employers still expect authenticity and personalization. An AI-generated skills section should only include skills that the candidate actually has.
鈥淛ob seekers should review and edit AI-generated content to ensure it accurately reflects their experience, avoids exaggeration, and includes specific, human details that demonstrate genuine interest in the role,鈥 the report advises, before adding: 鈥淯sing AI to apply for jobs is efficient, but it must be done with care.鈥
3. Relying On AI To Think
Stop using AI as a replacement for your own critical thinking skills. While it helps to have a second pair of eyes or an assistant, a fresh MIT study revealed some insight into the fact that repetitively using tools like ChatGPT could potentially negatively impact your critical reasoning skills.
So it鈥檚 essential to allow your expertise to lead the way and allow AI to guide you along the process.
Do this instead:
Every now and then, practice stepping away and performing cognitive functions without using AI.
This helps you in situations like a live negotiation, when you鈥檙e in a meeting or confronted with a situation that doesn鈥檛 permit you the time to 鈥渃heck with ChatGPT.鈥 In times like these, this skill set becomes invaluable and a direct precursor to financial and career success.
4. Using ChatGPT Standalone To Send DMs And Pitches
This shouldn鈥檛 need to be said but it must be said: stop sending bots into emails and DMs. How would you like it if you received a generic, robotic outreach email or LinkedIn InMail? Cold pitching is already something that puts people鈥檚 backs up initially, so why make it harder for yourself and place any roadblock in the way?
Instead, try this:
Use ChatGPT to write the template and research the individual you鈥檙e reaching out to, then personalize your outreach.
5. Hiding Behind ChatGPT
Never build your entire freelance business model off AI. It鈥檚 not worth it. You鈥檒l look fake in the end and it will seriously hurt your profits.
Instead, focus on:
Using AI to support you, not replace you
Becoming the face of what you do
Intentionally creating visibility beyond writing content–think live videos, masterclasses, live webinars, consulting sessions, attending networking events, anything that stops you from hiding behind AI and makes you feel like a real human
ChatGPT can certainly boost your salary and your income, but you鈥檝e got to know how to wield this tool ethically, learn the guardrails, and balance with your personal expertise. After all, whether you鈥檙e freelancing or employed in a traditional job sense, that鈥檚 why they hired you.
Every now and then, exercise your brain and practice independent thinking outside of AI
How do I avoid ChatGPT and Gen AI making me sound fake and robotic?
Audit your AI usage, and focus on defining your personal voice and let that shine through. Rewrite in your words, edit the output, and use the AI results as a rough outline. Most importantly, blend your unique insights and stories.
Is prompt engineering a high-income skill?
Yes it is, but you can only build a high income by combining your prompting skills with your own expertise and domain knowledge, to produce the highest quality results.
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