WEBVTT 00:00:05.239 --> 00:00:07.339 Welcome to Data and AI with Mukundan, where you 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:10.400 learn AI by building. Hey, I'm Mukundan. This 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:13.240 show is about solving real problems with small, 00:00:13.279 --> 00:00:16.019 useful AI, things that you can actually use today. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:20.539 Each week, we pick one problem, build a simple 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:22.600 workflow or tool, and talk through the decisions, 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:26.179 what to automate, how to check quality, and how 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:30.300 to make it reliable. If you're a builder, creator, 00:00:30.500 --> 00:00:33.950 or just AI curious, You leave with the steps 00:00:33.950 --> 00:00:42.210 that you can copy tonight. Your calendar is a 00:00:42.210 --> 00:00:45.770 mess. Your inbox is flooded. And if you're on 00:00:45.770 --> 00:00:48.689 the job hunt, your head is spinning. Which companies 00:00:48.689 --> 00:00:51.170 did I apply to? What role was that recruiter 00:00:51.170 --> 00:00:53.729 even emailing about? Did I even send a thank 00:00:53.729 --> 00:00:56.670 you note? Well, today we are going to fix that. 00:00:57.149 --> 00:00:59.570 I'll show you how AI agents can transform your 00:00:59.570 --> 00:01:02.619 job search. Not hype. not even science fiction 00:01:02.619 --> 00:01:05.459 just real functions that you can use right now 00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:08.939 to track applications prep for interviews and 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:12.319 even handle follow -up emails by the end of this 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:14.920 episode you'll see exactly how to build three 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:17.480 job hunting agents one that tracks your applications 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:21.560 one that preps you for interviews and one that 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:24.900 drafts and reminds you about follow -ups together 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:28.040 they save you time and make sure nothing slips 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:31.000 up through the cracks. Welcome to Data and AI 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:34.079 with Mukundan, where you learn AI by building. 00:01:35.019 --> 00:01:37.819 I'm Mukundan and this show is about solving real 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:41.219 problems with small useful AI tools. Each week 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:44.480 we pick one problem, build a workflow and talk 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:46.579 through the decisions about what to automate, 00:01:46.819 --> 00:01:49.040 how to check quality and how to make it reliable. 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:52.019 I've spent years in data analytics and marketing 00:01:52.019 --> 00:01:55.859 science. I'm not impressed by buzzwords, I'm 00:01:55.859 --> 00:01:57.579 just impressed when something actually saves 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:00.680 me time. And let me be honest, job hunting is 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:03.819 stressful. Between applications, recruiter emails, 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:06.920 interviews, and follow -ups, it's too easy to 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:12.199 miss a step. That's where AI agents shine. If 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:14.400 they can plan steps, remember what's happened, 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:18.259 and adjust with feedback, they become game changers. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:22.740 So let's dive into three practical agents for 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:25.740 job hunting. The first one, job application tracker 00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:28.520 agent. So let's start with the most basic need. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:34.159 Keeping track of where you applied. So if you 00:02:34.159 --> 00:02:37.639 ever applied to 10 jobs in a week or 100 jobs 00:02:37.639 --> 00:02:41.199 in a week and forgotten which ones or you'll 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.759 appreciate this. Here's what the application 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:47.000 tracker agent does. You paste in a job post link. 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:50.539 It extracts the company name, role title, location 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:55.580 and salary range. And salary range. It logs that 00:02:55.580 --> 00:02:59.039 into a Notion table or a Google Sheet. It then 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:02.120 asks you, do you want to auto -set a follow -up 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:04.919 reminder in seven days? Here's why I would say 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:08.759 this feels magical to me. You never again need 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:13.099 to open 20 tabs to remember your pipeline. The 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:15.340 agent remembers that for you. So for example, 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:19.219 when I tried it, I pasted a real job post into 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:23.060 the agent. It responded back with, got it, company 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:28.060 X. Roll senior data analyst salary 140 to 190k. 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:31.900 Location, San Francisco. Lock to your tracker. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:34.139 Then it asks, do you want me to add a follow 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:37.879 -up reminder? That's planning, memory, and feedback 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:41.219 in one. Now here's the thing. Applications, they're 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:44.680 just the start. The real stress is interviews. 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:48.319 Like how do you prepare without drowning in notes? 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:51.099 That's where the interview prep agent comes in. 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:54.689 It takes two inputs. the job descriptions, and 00:03:54.689 --> 00:03:57.830 your resume. With that, it outputs three things. 00:03:58.770 --> 00:04:02.830 Three tailored behavioral questions, three technical 00:04:02.830 --> 00:04:06.030 or case questions, a mock tell me about yourself 00:04:06.030 --> 00:04:10.409 crafted for that role. Now, this is something 00:04:10.409 --> 00:04:13.409 I tried. So I fed in a job description of the 00:04:13.409 --> 00:04:16.449 company I wanted plus my resume. Then the agent 00:04:16.449 --> 00:04:19.470 output was that tell me about a time you built 00:04:19.470 --> 00:04:22.389 an analytics dashboard. that influence product 00:04:22.389 --> 00:04:25.769 strategy and then it also gave me here's a sequel 00:04:25.769 --> 00:04:27.790 question write a query to calculate retention 00:04:27.790 --> 00:04:31.990 at 30 days here's a draft pitch i spent seven 00:04:31.990 --> 00:04:36.170 plus years in analytics that's planning it matches 00:04:36.170 --> 00:04:40.410 resume skills to job description needs also that's 00:04:40.410 --> 00:04:43.889 memory remembers both inputs adds feedback also 00:04:43.889 --> 00:04:46.290 because i can say make it shorter or focus on 00:04:46.290 --> 00:04:49.389 retention suddenly you got a practice set tailored 00:04:49.389 --> 00:04:51.860 to the exact job now the third thing i want to 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:55.220 talk about was a follow -up agent so now let's 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:57.579 fast forward right you nailed the interview the 00:04:57.579 --> 00:05:00.279 recruiter says we'll get back to you in a week 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:05.199 what happens next usually just silence unless 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:08.160 you remember to follow up enter the follow -up 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.480 agent after your interview it drafts a polite 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:14.500 thank you note in your voice it logs the date 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:17.240 it reminds you after seven days if you haven't 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:21.350 heard back i say interview with company Today, 00:05:21.430 --> 00:05:24.490 agent replies, here's a thank you draft. Hi, 00:05:24.610 --> 00:05:28.050 ABC, thank you for the thoughtful conversation. 00:05:28.470 --> 00:05:30.910 I've locked today's date. I'll remind you in 00:05:30.910 --> 00:05:34.209 seven days if you don't mark this closed. That's 00:05:34.209 --> 00:05:37.829 feedback in action. The agent checks back, doesn't 00:05:37.829 --> 00:05:40.709 just disappear. See why this works. Notice the 00:05:40.709 --> 00:05:44.410 pattern. Each agent has three ingredients. Planning 00:05:44.410 --> 00:05:47.910 where it breaks goals into steps. Memory, where 00:05:47.910 --> 00:05:50.730 you remember the context. feedback where you're 00:05:50.730 --> 00:05:52.370 retrying, nudging, or asking you to approve. 00:05:53.069 --> 00:05:55.790 Without those, you don't have an agent. You just 00:05:55.790 --> 00:05:59.550 have scripts. With them, you have something that 00:05:59.550 --> 00:06:01.949 feels like a partner. Now, here's the fun part 00:06:01.949 --> 00:06:05.430 of today's episode. I want to do a quick true 00:06:05.430 --> 00:06:09.470 and false quiz. Quick lightning round. Answer 00:06:09.470 --> 00:06:15.170 true or false. Question one. An AI agent is just 00:06:15.170 --> 00:06:17.550 a chatbot that answers questions. Second question. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:21.399 If you paste the job post, the agent can plan 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:24.259 steps like extracting data and logging it. Third 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:28.100 one, interview prep agents don't need memory. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:31.379 They just generate generic questions. Fourth, 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:35.759 feedback loops make agents resilient to mistakes. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:39.639 And finally, a follow -up agent that nudges you 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:43.379 after seven days is showing planning and memory. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:46.160 So all of these are true or false. Just going 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:48.170 to repeat the questions one more time. An AI 00:06:48.170 --> 00:06:50.250 agent is just a chatbot that answers questions. 00:06:50.470 --> 00:06:55.490 If you paste a job post, the agent can plan steps 00:06:55.490 --> 00:06:59.009 like extracting data and logging it. Interview 00:06:59.009 --> 00:07:02.509 prep agents don't need memory. They just generate 00:07:02.509 --> 00:07:06.930 generic questions. Feedback loops make agents 00:07:06.930 --> 00:07:10.930 resilient to mistakes. A follow -up agent that 00:07:10.930 --> 00:07:13.589 nudges you after seven days is showing planning 00:07:13.589 --> 00:07:17.879 and memory. Alright, so... here are the answers 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:21.740 now to the five questions any agent just a chatbot 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:25.420 it answers questions the answer is false if you 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:27.720 paste the job post then the agent can plan steps 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:30.079 like extracting data and logging it that is true 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:32.360 interview prep agents don't need memory they 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:35.339 just generate generate questions false feedback 00:07:35.339 --> 00:07:37.920 loops make agents resilient to mistakes true 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:41.720 a follow -up agent that nudges you after seven 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:44.319 days is showing planning and memory true now 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:47.160 I want you to reflect on three questions. What 00:07:47.160 --> 00:07:50.639 part of the job search drains you the most? Is 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:52.860 it the tracking, the prepping, or the following 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:55.959 up? Would you trust an agent to draft a thank 00:07:55.959 --> 00:08:00.459 you email on your behalf? Why or why not? If 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:04.100 you had to build one job hunt agent today, which 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:06.800 one would you start with? Share your thoughts. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:08.660 I'll link the discussion thread in the show notes. 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:11.939 Here's your challenge. Build a mini job hunt 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:15.319 agent. This week, keep it simple. Pick one goal, 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:18.279 like track every application. Break it into three 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:21.100 steps. Add a scratchpad or sheet for memory. 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:24.259 Add one feedback rule, like ask me before saving. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:28.180 That's your V0 .5 agent. No perfection required, 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:30.420 just proof. With this help, share it with one 00:08:30.420 --> 00:08:32.419 friend who's job hunting. They'll thank you. 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:34.679 Before you go, please rate the show 5 stars on 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:37.419 Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It takes seconds, 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:40.460 but makes a huge difference. And if you're listening 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:42.559 on Apple, leave a short one -line review, please. 00:08:42.909 --> 00:08:46.629 I need them all. Next time, we're going even 00:08:46.629 --> 00:08:49.450 bigger. What happens when one agent isn't enough? 00:08:50.429 --> 00:08:52.970 Multi -agent systems that pass tasks between 00:08:52.970 --> 00:08:56.210 each other. Until then, remember, if your agent 00:08:56.210 --> 00:08:59.149 doesn't save your time, it's a toy. And if it 00:08:59.149 --> 00:09:02.330 does, it's a tool you rely on every day. Before 00:09:02.330 --> 00:09:05.529 you go, I just wanted to let you know that I 00:09:05.529 --> 00:09:09.190 record with Riverside. I'm an affiliate partner 00:09:09.190 --> 00:09:11.570 Riverside. They helped me record this episode 00:09:11.570 --> 00:09:15.470 and they have amazing audio quality. So that's 00:09:15.470 --> 00:09:17.250 something I just wanted to recommend if you're 00:09:17.250 --> 00:09:20.529 ever deciding to do your own podcast. This is 00:09:20.529 --> 00:09:23.789 a great platform to record because their editing 00:09:23.789 --> 00:09:27.250 features are amazing. Their AI editing is I think 00:09:27.250 --> 00:09:30.110 next level. Helps you remove all awkward pauses 00:09:30.110 --> 00:09:34.789 and gives your sound a strong voice. It gives 00:09:34.789 --> 00:09:38.659 you a strong voice. so i would highly recommend 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:41.700 riverside as the reason why i chose to be an 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:43.759 affiliate partner because i actually use the 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:48.799 product and i love it so link to join their platform 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.980 is in the show notes and again i'm an affiliate 00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:55.679 partner so if you make any purchase i may make 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:59.460 a small commission from it i also host an rss 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:03.340 .com also i'm an affiliate partner of rss because 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:09.200 they have an amazing distribution channel. 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So if you 00:10:51.399 --> 00:10:55.440 are interested in any research for your content 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:58.779 or for in general, you want to learn about anything, 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:02.139 want to read research papers or any kind of... 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.779 thing to improve your knowledge cider .ai is 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:08.419 your platform to use so again i'm an affiliate 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:11.360 partner and i'd love if you're able to support 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.840 the show by clicking on my affiliate link and 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:23.299 joining cider .ai hey it's mukundan if this episode 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:25.700 helped you two tiny favors that make a huge difference 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:29.440 rate the show five stars On Spotify, you can 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:31.799 just open the show page and tap the star button. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:34.299 On Apple Podcasts, scroll to the bottom of the 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:37.059 show page and tap five stars. Also, leave a one 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:40.659 -to -line review on Apple Podcasts. Tell me one 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:43.120 takeaway. I read every single one and it helps 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:45.799 more people find the show. That's all for this 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:47.419 week. Thank you for joining and I will see you 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.539 in the next episode of Data and AI with Mukundan, 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.659 where you learn AI by building.