Wondering how to use AI to get a job? One of the smartest uses of AI is creating a focused target companies list for networking and relationship-building.
Instead of competing with hundreds of applicants through online applications alone, you can identify organizations that are a strong fit for your background and start building connections before jobs are even posted.
The first step in a targeted search is to create a target companies list, and AI can be a big help in this.
How to Use AI to Build a Target Companies List
In the past, I’ve shared methods for creating a target companies list by using LinkedIn. Now you can also use free AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or LinkedIn’s built-in AI features.
As I test, I went to ChatGPT and wrote,
Give me a list of 50 companies that:
1. have 1,000 to 10,000 employees,
2. sell consumer products related to outdoor recreation,
3. have remote employees,
4. would be likely to hire someone with the following resume.
For each company, include headquarters location, approximate size and why it may be a strong fit.
You might also want to include criteria to find companies that are growing, such as “have hired marketing staff within the past 12 months.”
I then pasted in a sample resume. ChatGPT quickly provided a list of companies ranging from Arc’teryx to Wild Country. Great! I now had a target companies list for the job search.
After generating your initial list, refine it by trying prompts like:
- “Which of these companies are currently growing?”
- “Which are most likely to hire remote workers?”
- “Rank these companies by likely fit for my background.”
- “What industry associations are connected to these employers?”
Of course, AI sometimes makes mistakes. In a real job search, I would next check another source to make sure the companies really fit my criteria before investing networking time.
Don’t Over-Filter Too Early
One caution: don’t make your initial target companies list too narrow. Many job seekers are tempted to filter heavily for company culture, mission or “dream company” qualities right away. But culture is difficult to judge from the outside, and experiences often vary widely from one team or manager to another.
Instead, begin with broader criteria such as industry, company size, location, remote-work options and likelihood of hiring someone with your background. Then use networking conversations, LinkedIn research and AI-assisted research to learn more about culture, management style and work environment before deciding which companies most deserve your attention.
At this point, some job seekers get bogged down in analysis paralysis, a form of procrastination. Remember, the point is to talk to people, soon and often. That’s really the heart of the process, planting the seeds of relationships and results.
How to Use Your Target Companies List to Gain Info, Contacts, and Referrals
It’s always easier to get someone to reply to a message if you mention someone or something that you have in common. Use LinkedIn’s filters and alumni tools to identify people you may have something in common with, such as:
- schools
- former employers
- professional associations
- volunteer work
- geographic background
- shared connections
For example, I searched LinkedIn for Patagonia employees who attended my alma mater, Cal State Northridge. I found many fellow alumnae there. If I were in job search, I’d then reach out to some of those people to seek networking conversations (a.k.a. informational interviews), from which I’d gain valuable intel about a company’s hiring practices and culture.
TIP: The post linked in the previous sentence will tell you how to approach your contacts, including a sample email!
Next, I could use AI to prepare for these networking conversations by summarizing a company, identifying likely business challenges, suggesting useful and intelligent questions to ask, and so on.
Of course, I’d make a point of building relationships with the people I spoke with, so that when a suitable position opened up I’d be well positioned to hear about it, and to be referred in for an interview. Candidates with a referral have a big advantage.
Does this sound difficult? It’s no harder than applying to dozens or hundreds of job openings (and rarely, if ever, hearing back). And it’s much more likely to lead to a job. You can read my post, “Networking: Organizations vs. Openings” for more tips, then give it a try.
Above All, Be Human
Use AI to accelerate research and brainstorming, but don’t try to outsource authentic relationship-building. Networking works best when your interest and communication are genuine.
So that’s how to use AI to build a target companies list. It’s a smart first step for a targeted, proactive job search that makes you stand out from the competition. (This post has been updated in 2026.)
