🤖 Don’t Let Robots Steal Your Job 🦾 Why AI-Written Resumes Are Killing Your Chances
Okay, let me get one thing straight: I’ve recently read more ”results-driven team players” on CVs as a recruiter than I can count. And let me tell you, most of them look like the same robot wrote them. AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude can create your resume, but if you’re not careful, your resume will look like all the other AI-written resumes. As an example, we recently recruited for a Data Analyst role. We received 540 applicants within 48 hours, in which 388 resumes were identical (71%!). The resumes had the same font, same font size, same experience, and a 100% perfect match to the job description. Direct IT Recruiting immediately (through AI) eliminated these resumes.
Do you really want your resume to blend in with the AI-resume-generated pack?
Here’s the thing: to be different, you must let go of the AI crutch. Okay, it’s convenient to have a computer spit out a shiny new resume that matches the job description perfectly, but where’s the individuality in that? Even the employees who work for Anthropic—the company responsible for Claude—advise job seekers, ”Hey, don’t use our stuff for that!” If the individuals who created the AI tools warn us not to use them, then we should heed their sage advice.
Keep your resume short and to the point, 2-5 pages, depending on your experience. Let’s be honest; I’m probably scanning the first page of your resume for about 6 seconds before deciding if I want to keep reading. (Yes, we timed it. No, I’m not embarrassed about it.) So, skip the fluff and get to the point. And why not make it pretty while you’re at it? A clean, minimalist design with some pops of colour can do magic. I recommend green or blue titles with black text for the main body to appeal to the eye. Just don’t overdo it—this is not a rainbow unicorn contest.
And if you are fortunate enough to obtain an interview, don’t destroy it afterwards with a cookie-cutter, AI-generated thank-you note. Nothing is more apt to scream, “I didn’t bother to write this myself,” than a message that begins with, ”Dear Hiring Manager, I am very excited to synergize with your team…”
Here’s the catch: AI is excellent at repeating dull things, but it can’t pick up on your personality, creativity, critical thinking skills or career accomplishments. And here’s the kicker: recruiters and employers are using AI to identify AI-written resumes. So, if a robot writes your resume, a robot might reject it. Isn’t that ironic?
In a time when machines are automating people’s jobs, don’t let the robot decline your candidacy and eliminate you from being considered for an interview. Delight employers with the value you may bring to their company rather than being a human-appearing chatbot. Be truthful with your resume. Ensure your picture and LinkedIn identity have been verified with a government ID; this helps recruiters ensure that you are a real person, not an imposter. Tailor your career accomplishments, certifications, and education to best reflect the key skills and required experience in the job description. I recommend Grammarly to correct any spelling and grammar errors on your resume.
In summary, a self-written resume will demonstrate to your future employer that you are the type of individual they want to hire!