Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard about the ChatGPT “Roast Me” trend. If you haven’t already participated, please stop reading this very second and go try it! Simply upload a photo and give the prompt “roast me”. And then…brace yourself. After wasting hours of time - obviously not during the workday (wink, wink) - I can assure you that the result is always a mix of humor and humble pie.
If I have a photo of us on my phone, chances are that I already roasted you and cried laughing about it. What I’m learning about myself – err, already fully aware but in denial – is that I take things so personally. How does AI so effectively dose out a massive reality check in the time those three little dots are forming on the screen? It’s impressive.
I took a screenshot during a recent video meeting with my fully remote team and naturally, I had ChatGPT roast us. Sheer perfection. It identified subtleties in my colleagues’ posture, expressions, attire, hairstyles, background choice, surrounding décor. And more often than not, the things AI called out are actual nuances alive and well within those dear souls. Including myself…it said I looked like I was silently judging everyone’s grammar…guilty as charged!
Seemingly nothing can spare us from the keen eye of AI and I now find myself thinking, if there was a snapshot of my life right now, what would be “roasted”? Which led me to the realization that job seekers can use this to their advantage by preventing a roast in the first place.
Roast Prevention Techniques
Use this amazing technology to set you up for success! You can ask AI to roast you and then address those potential critical flaws or you can obviously ask it for sound advice. I find learnings in both approaches.
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Upload your LinkedIn profile picture to ChatGPT and provide a prompt that asks for a constructive critique about your image. When I tried this, I was given some positive feedback (I’m blushing) balanced with some solid tips I will absolutely keep in mind the next time I have a headshot taken.
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As you prep for a video interview, take a selfie or screenshot of yourself in the setting where you will virtually meet with the hiring team. Upload the photo and ask ChatGPT to provide you with feedback about the virtual background you selected, or the décor displayed behind you. If it roasts you by calling out your collection of bobbleheads, or the visible toilet through the open bathroom door, or a dusty pile of books you’ve all but forgotten about, it’s a good reminder that your environment contributes to your persona.
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Recruiters and hiring managers often look at candidates’ social media to get a clear picture of the holistic individual. Of course, I personally would never have posted anything that could be perceived inappropriate (ahem) but maybe you have. While ChatGPT cannot access your personal social profiles, it can offer general tips to ensure you are portraying yourself the way you want for potential employers. Then, you may be reminded to delete the picture of you riding that tiger statue on spring break.
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You can submit a photo of yourself in an outfit you selected for an upcoming interview. You could be rocking that vintage turtleneck, convinced you’re the next runway sensation; however, AI might roast you because it looks suspiciously like something from your grandma's closet. If you request constructive criticism you may be encouraged to try a brighter color for example.
Through all the cheeky remarks, AI challenges you to dig deeper. You start asking yourself what your choices say about you. Am I really a cool, fun-loving person, or am I just curating a vibe of “Okay, but mostly just a homebody who prefers sweatpants”? It’s like having a sassy best friend who’s not afraid to throw shade in the name of personal growth.
Embrace the cheekiness and the inner dialogue sparked by AI. After all, who knew that an algorithm could take you on a journey of self-discovery, one roast at a time? Because sometimes, getting a little burned is the best way to find out who you really are!