AI and the Job Hunt: How the UK Is Using Artificial Intelligence to Get Ahead at Work

 

With the explosion of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, the way people apply for jobs is changing — and changing fast. From writing CVs to requesting pay rises, artificial intelligence is becoming an everyday tool for jobseekers and workers alike.

At TonerGiant, we wanted to understand just how deep this shift runs — and how it differs across the UK. So we surveyed 1,000 working-age adults to find out how comfortable people are with using AI in the context of job applications and workplace communication.

The results reveal a nation divided not just by preference, but by region, gender, and attitude. Some parts of the UK are enthusiastically embracing AI. Others remain sceptical, especially when ethics and accountability come into play.

 

Would You Let AI Write Your CV?

 

When asked whether they would use AI to write a CV or covering letter, just over a third (36%) of respondents said yes — while nearly half said they wouldn’t, and the remainder weren’t sure.

 

  • Yes 36% 36%
  • No 48% 48%
  • Not Sure 16% 16%

 

Gender

Interestingly, the gender split shows that men were significantly more open to using AI in this way (41% of men) than women (32% of women).

  • Men 41% 41%
  • Women 32% 32%

 

Region

But perhaps the most compelling insight comes from the regional breakdown. In the West Midlands, more than half of respondents said they’d be comfortable letting AI write their CV. Greater London also showed a strong embrace of AI, alongside the East Midlands and East of England, where upwards of 40% of people were happy to use it.

By contrast, the South West sits at the bottom of the table, with just 23% saying they’d be happy to use AI for their application. Other traditionally cautious regions like Wales, the South East, and Scotland also showed relatively low enthusiasm. These patterns suggest cultural and perhaps generational differences in attitudes toward tech-driven job applications.

 

Those who would use AI to write their CV:

 

  • West Midlands 51% 51%
  • Greater London 44% 44%
  • East Midlands 43% 43%
  • East of England 40% 40%
  • North East 39% 39%
  • North West 37% 37%
  • Yorkshire 33% 33%
  • Northern Ireland 32% 32%
  • Scotland 29% 29%
  • South East 28% 28%
  • Wales 27% 27%
  • South West 23% 23%

 

For the full data set or break down by city, contact TonerGiant on [email protected]

 

Trusting the Bots — Or Not?

 

Using AI to help with a CV is one thing — but letting it submit errors is quite another. We asked all respondents:

Would you correct any incorrect information generated by AI on your CV or cover letter?

  • Yes 63% 63%
  • No 25% 25%
  • Not Sure 12% 12%

Thankfully, most people said yes — but not all.

Around 63% of respondents said they would take the time to fix errors. However, one in four admitted they wouldn’t — either due to trust in the technology or a lack of attention to detail.

 

Gender

Women were slightly more likely to fix mistakes (64%) than men (63%). But again, the regional differences told a more dramatic story.

 

Region

In Northern Ireland and Yorkshire and The Humber, more than 32% of respondents said they would knowingly leave AI-generated inaccuracies uncorrected. This figure was nearly as high in the West Midlands and South West, pointing to a wider trend of either over-reliance on AI or under-awareness of its flaws.

At the other end of the spectrum, the South East and Wales emerged as the most meticulous regions, with more than two-thirds of jobseekers saying they would correct any AI-generated errors before submitting their application. Greater London and the North West also demonstrated strong levels of care and accountability.

These regional attitudes could have real consequences — particularly for employers trying to spot inaccuracies in a sea of AI-assisted applications.

 

Would not correct AI mistakes (by region):

  • Northern Ireland 32% 32%
  • Yorkshire & the Humber 32% 32%
  • West Midlands 31% 31%
  • South West 30% 30%
  • East of England 27% 27%
  • Greater London 23% 23%
  • North West 23% 23%
  • East Midlands 22% 22%
  • North East 21% 21%
  • Wales 20% 20%
  • Scotland 20% 20%
  • South East 18% 18%

For the full data set or break down by city, contact TonerGiant on [email protected]

 

Beyond the CV: Letting AI Do the Talking at Work

 

 

The use of AI doesn’t stop at the job application stage. We also asked respondents whether they would use AI to assist with emotionally charged or awkward workplace communication — things like writing a resignation letter, requesting a pay rise, or complaining about a colleague.

Surprisingly, only 32% of people said they wouldn’t use AI for any of these tasks. That means two-thirds are open to outsourcing professional communication to a chatbot in some form.

 

The most common AI-assisted workplace task? Requesting a pay rise. People in Greater London led the way here, with nearly one in three saying they’d use AI to help ask for more money. Support for this approach was also strong in Yorkshire and The Humber, the West Midlands, and the East Midlands — suggesting that confidence and clarity are key drivers for using AI in negotiation.

Resigning from a job came in close behind. In Northern Ireland, a striking 39% of people said they would use AI to write their resignation letter. Similarly high levels were found in the East Midlands, Greater London, and Scotland — suggesting that AI is increasingly being used as a social buffer in moments of high emotion or confrontation.

On the flip side, several regions demonstrated a clear preference for keeping these conversations human. In the South East, nearly half of respondents said they wouldn’t use AI for any workplace communication. This sentiment was echoed in the South West, Wales, and parts of Yorkshire, where traditional workplace etiquette still holds strong.

 

Those who would use AI to assist in requesting a pay rise:

  • Greater London 31% 31%
  • West Midlands 27% 27%
  • Yorkshire & the Humber 27% 27%
  • East of England 24% 24%
  • North East 24% 24%
  • East Midlands 22% 22%
  • Scotland 21% 21%
  • North West 20% 20%
  • Wales 18% 18%
  • South West 18% 18%
  • South East 16% 16%
  • Northern Ireland 14% 14%

Those who would use AI to help resign from a job:

  • Northern Ireland 39% 39%
  • East Midlands 35% 35%
  • Greater London 29% 29%
  • Scotland 28% 28%
  • West Midlands 27% 27%
  • East of England 24% 24%
  • North West 24% 24%
  • North East 21% 21%
  • Wales 20% 20%
  • South West 20% 20%
  • South East 18% 18%
  • Yorkshire & the Humber 17% 17%

What This Tells Us

 

 

AI is no longer just a tool for coders or creatives — it’s being used by everyday workers to help with some of the most personal and impactful parts of their professional lives. But this shift isn’t universal. Some parts of the country are adopting AI quickly. Others remain cautious, with concerns around accuracy, trust, and human connection.

Employers need to be aware of this change — and prepare for a hiring landscape where AI-generated applications (and errors) are increasingly common. At the same time, employees need to remain mindful of the role they want technology to play in their working lives.

 

About Toner Giant

 

 

As one of the UK’s leading office supplies retailers, Toner Giant understands how technology is transforming how we work. From supplying the tools that keep offices running to tracking the trends that shape the future of work, we’re proud to support professionals across every region of the UK.

 

Press Enquiries

 

  • This survey was conducted in March 2025 by TonerGiant with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 UK adults currently in work or seeking employment.
  • The full data includes breakdowns by region, gender, age and city.

For further information, interviews, or to request the full dataset contact [email protected] 

 

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