Should you AI-ify your Resume?
“AI is here!” a phrase that for some brings about the same awe, wonder and excitement of Pauly D yelling “Cabs are here!” For others that phrase brings about confusion, anxiety and even moral objection. But just like with the early rise of social media, if you fail to get on board with AI you may be left behind.
As most companies start to dip their toe into the AI pond when it comes to hiring, so too should job seekers. AI tools can assist with interview prep, creating a professional headshot, and even finding job postings that match your skillset. But when it comes to your actual resume should AI be a part of the conversation? The short answer is yes, but with some nuance.
Resumes are you on paper — so your personality and individuality needs to shine through. Having AI build your resume from scratch may lead to inaccurate, robotic, generic or even false details that can turn hiring managers off and doesn’t show off the real you.
The best way to use AI when writing your resume is to have it enhance what you’ve already built. AI can assist with checking grammar, spelling, tailoring content and refining details. It’s still you, but with a stylist. Just like in the field, where you may use AI to be more efficient in your job, you should use AI to be more efficient in your job search.
Using AI during the application process can help you save time, effectively tailor your resume to the job you’re seeking, and can even reduce anxiety knowing you’ve had a second set of “eyes” reviewing everything before you apply. The goal is to have AI enhance your application quality and efficiency so you can apply to more jobs faster, while still standing out amongst the virtual stack of resumes.
According to a recent World Economic Forum Report, more than 60% of companies now use some component of AI in their hiring and recruiting processes, with nearly 90% of companies using automated systems to rank and screen candidates. On the flip side only 65% of job seekers are using AI during the application process whether it be for their resume and cover letter, headshots or interview practice.
In the competitive world of job seeking it’s imperative to use all the tools available to help you stand out in the application process. AI is the newest and shiniest tool in the tool box – don’t let it go to waste!
Ready to get started? Here are some quick do’s and don’ts:
Do:
Use AI to create an outline for your cover letter or resume based on the job you’re applying for
Use AI to suggest keywords to add to your resume or cover letter based on the job description
Use AI to check your resume for grammar and spelling
Check the accuracy of all AI outputs
Use AI to give your resume a design/layout refresh
Don’t:
Submit a resume or cover letter written solely by AI; always tailor outputs to your own voice
Share confidential or personal data with an AI tool
By JT Torrens
