Anne Hathaway Warns Against AI-Generated Thank-You Notes in Job Applications

Artificial intelligence (AI) -based tools like ChatGPT have made mass job applications easier than ever. These AI tools enable candidates to apply for thousands of roles simultaneously with minimal effort. But Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway argues this isn't the right approach to job hunting. According to Hathaway, candidates who rely on AI-generated thank-you notes after interviews may be revealing more than they intend. Speaking in an interview with Hits Radio, the actress said she recently noticed multiple job applicants sending identical thank-you messages generated with AI tools, making it clear they had not written the notes themselves. Hathaway recalled that she was involved in hiring for a role and received thank-you notes from several candidates after the interview process. While the first message appeared thoughtful and professional, she soon realised that every candidate had sent the exact same note.

“I was in the process of hiring someone; they were all very nice candidates, and they all sent me thank you notes,” Hathaway said, adding that every single one was written by AI. Explaining how she identified the use of AI, Hathaway said, “They were all the exact same thank you note.” When the first note arrived, she thought, “How nice, how professional.” However, after receiving identical versions from other applicants, she quickly realised what had happened.

“I was like, ‘Oh, no … I see something I’m not supposed to see’. So I just want to warn you: If you’re out there thinking that you’re getting away with something, there’s a chance that you might be revealing yourself,” Hathway added.

How AI-generated thank-you notes may hurt job seekers

During the interview, Hathaway's longtime co-star Meryl Streep suggested that hiring managers may view AI-generated thank-you notes as a sign of limited effort from candidates.

“So many Anne Hathaways that you’re going to apply to—you just can’t write it yourself,” Streep said. She added that failing to personalise a thank-you note could be costly, particularly when applying for a highly sought-after opportunity.

“Oh, my God, that would be an absolute killer. Nobody on that list gets that job,” she added. The discussion comes at a time when many job seekers are turning to AI tools to manage large numbers of applications in a challenging employment market. While AI can help speed up application processes, experts and hiring managers have increasingly warned that generic, AI-generated content may make candidates appear disengaged rather than efficient. Sophie Rocha, a marketing professional at the Gen Z careers platform Home From College, said a personalised thank-you message can still help applicants distinguish themselves in a crowded hiring process.

“It really takes two seconds, and clearly … people aren’t sending them, so you will stand out if you send a thank-you to your interviewer after you get off the call,” Rocha said.