The Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FP USU), held a public lecture entitled “Practical Strategies for Using Artificial Intelligence in Job Applications” on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in the D.H. Penny Seminar Room, FP USU. The event featured Harapan Lumbantoruan, S.P., M.M., ELT, Director of CV. Agro Harapan Mulia, as the speaker, presenting the material “Smart Job Searching in the AI Era.” The public lecture was moderated by Vira Irma Sari, S.P., M.Si., a lecturer in the Undergraduate Program in Agrotechnology at FP USU, and attended by students of the Undergraduate Program in Agrotechnology.
The activity aimed to equip students with practical knowledge and strategies to prepare for entering the professional workforce, particularly by utilizing developments in artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence/AI) to support the job search process and navigate recruitment stages.
In her remarks, the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization of FP USU, Dr. Ir. Posma Mangasi Pintaria Marbun, MP., emphasized the importance of students being prepared to face developments in digital technology. According to her, university graduates are expected not only to possess academic competencies in their respective fields of study but also to be able to adapt to technological changes and workforce needs.
“AI is an extraordinary accelerator. When used intelligently, this technology can be highly beneficial for students in preparing to enter the workforce. I hope students will be well prepared, have strong competitiveness, and be ready to compete in the global job market,” she stated.
In his presentation, Harapan Lumbantoruan explained various strategies for finding jobs effectively through digital platforms, such as LinkedIn Jobs, JobStreet, Indeed, Glints, company career portals, alumni communities, and social media. Students were also encouraged to actively seek job opportunities and tailor their cover letters to the qualifications and requirements of each position they applied for.
The use of AI was one of the main focuses of the discussion, particularly in preparing a curriculum vitae (CV), optimizing LinkedIn profiles, creating relevant cover letters, and conducting job interview simulations. In addition, students were introduced to strategies for tailoring their CVs to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), preparing for psychological tests, and understanding the selection stages in the recruitment process.
The speaker also explained the importance of mastering skills required in the workplace, including communication, leadership, analysis, problem-solving, interpersonal skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and English language proficiency. Management Trainee programs were also discussed as one of the career development pathways that new graduates (fresh graduates) could consider.
The activity proceeded interactively through discussion and question-and-answer sessions between the speaker and students. Through these sessions, participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of applying AI to job application preparation while discussing strategies for addressing recruitment challenges in the digital era.
During the event, it was emphasized that AI can help accelerate and improve the job application preparation process but does not replace applicants’ responsibility to ensure the accuracy and honesty of the information they provide. Therefore, the use of AI must be accompanied by critical thinking skills, an understanding of one's own competencies, and the application of professional ethics so that application documents and interview answers continue to reflect actual qualifications and experience.
The public lecture was also attended by Dian Pebriyani, S.P., M.P., Manager of Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Internationalization at FP USU, as well as lecturers from the Undergraduate Program in Agrotechnology.
Through this activity, FP USU hopes that students will become better prepared for recruitment processes, be able to use technology wisely, and develop stronger competitiveness when entering the professional workforce. The activity is also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, through the strengthening of students’ knowledge and skills relevant to workforce needs in the digital era.