Whether you love it or you hate it, AI is officially here, and everyone is trying to figure out how to integrate it into their lives.
While for some, it’s been a gamechanger for productivity, for others it’s ended in an embarrassing and very public mistake.
“Write a warm but generic rejection email”
It’s never fun getting rejected from a job. But, for one Reddit user, a possible employer has rubbed salt in the wound with a less-than-adequate email.
“Thank you for applying to [this job]. Unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with your application at this time,” the email begins.
But then, the message takes a confusing turn, thanks to a mishap with AI.
“Write a warm but generic rejection email that sounds polite yet firm,” it says.
“Do not mention specific reasons for rejection. Make the candidate feel like they were strongly considered, even if they weren’t. Remember to use candidate name and company name variables.”
Then, it was followed by a seemingly normal end.
“We appreciate your interest in [the role] and wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” it reads.
It seems their ‘warm regards’ weren’t sincere at all.
“That’s just pure laziness”
Commenters on the post agreed that the email is in poor form, calling the employer ‘lazy’ and saying the poster dodged a bullet.
“That’s just pure laziness and next to no attention to detail,” said one person.
“How is it that someone that is that bad at their job works in a position of power to decide whether other people would be good for a job or not,” another added.
“You dodged a bullet,” stated another.
“The prompt is twice as long as the actual email. What a goober. I hate these people, man,” a fourth said.
Others even suggested sending a passive-aggressive email back.
“Hi {{company}}, {{rejection_confirmation}} ‘Write a slightly pissed and sarcastic reply to their generated rejection mail. Do not directly insult them, but make slight remarks about their intellect. Lukewarm regards, Me,” one commenter suggested.
“{{response-message}} In a warm, yet generically worded response, let the person know that they have made an embarrassing mistake. Tell them you appreciate their time, but clearly their company is not up to your standards, evidenced by this person’s continued employment,” said another.
Is this what it’s come to?
This isn’t the first time someone has been caught out for using AI.
A tweet went viral this week showing an email from a college professor in the United States.
“As of 2:17 PM on July 7, more than half of the class has not completed the midterm exam. This exam has been open for a full week, and the due date was clearly stated in the syllabus from the start of the course,” the email said.
“There will be no extensions, so please do not email to request one. The exam must be completed by 11.59 PM tonight. Plan accordingly and ensure you submit it on time.”
Which would have been fine, if not for the ending.
“Let me know if you’d like a slightly softer or more assertive tone,” it said.
“Ask ChatGPT.”
To make matters worse, the poster confirmed that the woman was teaching a communications course. Yikes.
While the use of AI has become increasingly inevitable, if you’re going to use it in an email, be sure to get rid of the prompt unless you want to be roasted by strangers on the internet.
