Resume Writing Reinvented: Harnessing the Power of AI for Job Search Success

The role of AI in resume writing

Since AI has entered every corner of daily life, it’s not surprising that it now has a rapidly expanding role in job searches. A recent survey by resume tool provider Canva revealed that, of 5,000 job seekers surveyed globally, 45% had used generative AI to create, update or enhance their resumes. Canva’s own Magic Write resume template was used 5 million times in 2023, which is just one in a long list of popular AI resume generators, including VisualCV, ResumeGenius, MyPerfectResume, and many more.

The way generative AI tools work in resume writing is by using the details from your existing CV, plus the job description of the role you are applying for, to create a personalised and perfectly formatted resume focusing on the job-specific keywords that hiring managers or screening algorithms will be looking for.

Features and benefits of AI resume builders

Even if you feel confident when it comes to creating or updating your resume, an AI resume builder will produce comprehensively high-quality results in a fraction of the time. So, if you’re not yet convinced that an AI resume is a good idea, it’s worth taking a deeper dive into the significant advantages you can expect when using one:

Personalised content generation

Rather than having a ‘one size fits all’ resume for every application, you can use AI to personalise your content and customise it for an advertised role. Since the AI tools are equipped with advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, they can analyse and interpret the nuances of the information provided by users. As a result, they can adapt the tone, style, and emphasis of your resume’s content based on the target job description. Your most relevant qualifications and experience can be given a starring role to catch the eye of the recruiter – whether human or robotic.

Keyword optimisation

Many recruiters use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to save time and resources by collecting, sorting, scanning and ranking job applications. The ATS scans and parses the text for specific keywords and phrases, such as skills, qualifications, previous job titles and other terminology relevant to the job description. Based on this data, each application may be scored or ranked, and a shortlist of candidates with the highest scores prepared.

Algorithms found in AI resume builders can tailor and optimise resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems by strategically incorporating relevant keywords in a natural way, thus improving the chance of passing through ATS screening.

Formatting assistance

The more polished and professional your resume is, the more likely it is to impress a recruiter. Creating a visually appealing resume – with a logical structure, a clear layout using headings and bullet points, appropriate fonts and font sizes, and overall good design aesthetics – is much quicker and easier if you get an AI resume generator to help you.

Time and money saving

There’s no need to hire a professional resume writer when an AI resume builder can generate content and format it attractively in seconds – and they’re usually free to download and use.

Potential pitfalls of using AI to create your resume

Even with AI’s many benefits, you need to be aware of the possible drawbacks when using it for your resume writing, so you can take steps to avoid them.

Lack of human personality and instinct

Relying too much on AI resume writing, without judicious human editing, could produce an artificial-sounding result that lacks warmth. Make sure you review your AI-generated resume carefully before submitting it, to rewrite any unnatural phrasing and remove redundant wordiness or overuse of keywords and particular phrases.

Be aware, too, that an AI resume won’t reflect your individual personality unless you make some adjustments to the content and style, which could be too formal for the company or the role. And if you’re aiming for a career change and applying for a role where you lack direct experience, you may need to emphasise some of your transferable skills, or themes in your background that will resonate with your prospective employer, which AI may have overlooked.

Context and trends are missed

Although you may share goals and principles with the company whose vacancy you are applying for, this may not come across in your resume if they didn’t feature in the keywords of the advertisement or job description. Be sure to visit the company website to understand its core values, and then make sure they are reflected in your listed achievements and aspirations.

Remember, generative AI is not infallible when it comes to factual accuracy and is still immersed in what was happening last year rather than what’s going down this week. It may fail to adapt your resume to reflect recent events and trends in your prospective employer’s market sector, as well as omitting specific jargon and current buzzwords that would demonstrate that you are in touch with the latest developments in their industry.

Your authentic career story gets lost

AI excels at analysis, logic, and efficiency, but it’s still imitative rather than genuinely creative. As a result, the vital spark that sets your career narrative apart may be lost in the generic orderliness of a bulleted list. Feel free to intervene where it counts to tell your story and make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Risk of plagiarism

Applying directly from an AI resume builder, without any intervention from you to make it unique, may result in what the recruiter regards as plagiarised content. Your resume could look very similar to many others received during the recruitment process, leading to possible rejection. Ensure that your AI resume is truly personalised and run it through a plagiarism checker before you submit it.

Striking the right balance with AI resume writing

Used effectively, AI resume generators can create personalised content to fit an advertised vacancy, optimising the use of keywords that will score well with an ATS, all while assuring a professional and polished format and saving you time and money.

Conversely, thoughtless use of AI resume builders could result in a lack of individuality, human warmth and intuition, the omission of transferable skills and shared values, and a failure to reflect recent trends. Over-reliance on generative AI could produce plagiarised content that is likely to send your resume to the bottom of the pile.

Aim for a balance, by using AI as a facilitator and inspirational launching pad, not as a replacement for your own authenticity and originality. Be sure to include your own personal touches to establish your individual identity and unique talents. Review the results for correct grammar, repetition and plagiarism, as well as the use of localised Kiwi spelling and vocabulary.

When you have finished crafting your impressive resume, why not send it to Adecco? We have vacancies waiting that could be just what you are looking for.

A well crafted and on-target resume can be a job seeker’s most effective weapon at the outset of their search for fulfilling employment. But it can be daunting trying to create a document with compelling content, perfect grammar and formatting, and an eye-catching design. There is, nevertheless, a solution, because everyone can now harness the power of AI to ensure their resume hits the mark every time.