Folks keep asking me if I’m worried about my job as a professional resume writer since they keep hearing about AI-generated resumes. Nope. Not at all. Then they get a confused look on their faces as they try to understand why I’m not panicking. Here’s how it boils down for me—AI can analyze, but it can’t really make strategic content choices or, heck, even interview my clients.
To put AI into perspective, Zippia shares some key stats to consider, including the fact that 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created daily, and the AI industry is growing 16.4% each year. Along with AI, ChatGPT (and other, similar programs) are being used daily to help people create written documents. The question of the hour… Should you trust your career to a bot that creates content based on your prompts? (Can you guess which way I’ll land on this question? The answer may be obvious, but my reasons ARE NOT. Keep reading to learn why you should not use AI to write your resume.)
The Rise of AI-Generated Resumes
ChatGPT launched in 2022, and it continues to gain a bigger and broader audience of users. It’s been especially popular among job seekers who are seeking to speed up their resume-writing and application process. One study reports that 18% of job seekers incorporate AI-generated resumes into their job searches, with a bigger percentage being on the younger end of the age spectrum.
While AI can help with many things, and the convenience of using it for creating documents is a bonus, the efficiency of AI-generated resumes can be questionable.
Recruiters Can Spot ChatGPT Resumes Almost Immediately
Recruiters see hundreds of resumes every day, and this experience has enabled them to distinguish between human-crafted and AI-generated resumes. There is now even AI-driven software that recruiters use to spot AI-written resumes. Can you guess what they do with them? Many toss them right out the window.
When job seekers use ChatGPT, they may gain access to standard formats, but they also lose that personal touch and authenticity. AI tends to overuse “canned phrases” that signal red flags for hiring managers. Generic documents won’t score you any points in your job search. Plus, remember that ChatGPT can only create resumes that are as strong as the information they receive. If you aren’t adept at crafting prompts, you’re likely to get something that is lacking at best and fiction at worst.
Don’t Trust ChatGPT to Do the Heavy Lifting
There’s no arguing that ChatGPT offers convenience, but it also lacks finesse. A compelling resume that gets you through ATS systems and engages recruiters requires more than just plugging keywords into a template. Instead, you need a nuanced understanding of the job market, industry trends, and how your skills and experience mesh with that dream job.
AI-generated resumes are likely to sound the same and do little to differentiate you. AI won’t ask you questions about what you did, specifically, at your last role. It won’t prompt you with ideas of your accomplishments (or, in fact, ask for them at all). You can’t have a true conversation with an input box on your computer screen, and that’s where AI-generated resumes will miss the mark.
What Recruiters Want to See on Your Resume
Recruiters are looking for your value add. This includes what you’ve done that fits with what they need, as well as your relevant accomplishments. AI-generated resumes often prioritize keyword optimization above meaningful content. Even asking ChatGPT to give you keywords to help your resume be seen by ATS systems can result in an odd selection of words and phrases—some of which aren’t appropriate keywords at all.
If you are in a niche industry with specific terminology, AI algorithms may not include those words recruiters want to see. By relying solely on AI tools, you run the risk of underselling yourself and potentially missing out on excellent career opportunities.
An Experienced Resume Writer Makes a Difference
When you work with a resume writer, you gain access to a partner in your job-search journey. When that writer is experienced (as is the case with us, Virtuoso Resumes), you’ll also get an advocate who asks questions to learn more about you and ensure that your value proposition is clearly illustrated. Plus, having supported hundreds of job seekers, your writer will know what works in today’s market, positioning you for success. Unlike AI templates, custom-crafted resumes talk about you specifically and are tailored to your industry and career goals.
The Key Components of a Great Resume
AI-generated resumes may touch on some of the components necessary in a great resume, but they could fall short on others. Here are the aspects your resume must have to generate results:
Contact Information
While it may seem obvious to include this, you’d be surprised how many people forget their contact information. At a minimum, you should have your city and state, phone number, email address, and custom LinkedIn URL.
Title
What do you want to be when you grow up? If you don’t share your career goal with your readers and ATS systems, they won’t know where you fit. A title positions you appropriately for success.
Targeted Summary
A concise, yet impactful, introduction at the beginning of your resume highlights your value proposition, serving as a snapshot of your professional brand.
Keywords and Skills
ATS systems are looking for a clean, easy-to-parse layout that includes the keywords that are listed in the job description. These must be included for your resume to be easily found. This is one section that AI can help you with! Upload your target job description and ask the AI to identify keywords. Then upload your resume and ask it to identify any gaps between your resume and the job ad.
Well-Crafted Accomplishments
AI-generated resumes will include what you did, but what about how you added value? Accomplishments are the crux of your marketing position and must be written in a way to capture attention.
How a Resume Writer Beats AI-Generated Resumes
An engaging resume doesn’t just list your job history; it tells a story. A resume writer pulls out your unique accomplishments and differentiating factors. Through consultations, targeted questions, and worksheets, an experienced writer will learn more about you and how you can make a difference for a future employer. They’ll then translate that information into a story that entices recruiters to reach out to you for an interview.
Today’s resume writers also understand the importance of shepherding your resume through ATS systems. From formatting your resume in a way that parses easily to including the right keywords—and educating you on how to update your documents each time you apply—a professional writer gets your resume through this all-important hurdle and empowers you for continued success.
Having an ATS-compatible resume doesn’t mean your document has to be boring. An experienced resume writer uses simple formatting to include color and design that makes your resume stand out among a sea of sameness. Additionally, your writer can educate you on when you must use a certain format and when you can break the rules.
Position Yourself for Success
Yes, AI-generated resumes do offer convenience in getting some of your ideas out of your head and onto paper, but they cannot incorporate a personal touch and the experience you’ll get from a professional resume writer. Remember that recruiters see hundreds of resume every day, and they are adept at filtering through the same-old boring documents. Instead of entrusting your future to AI and ChatGPT, invest in yourself by hiring a professional resume writer. At Virtuoso Resumes, we leverage our extensive experience to your benefit and help you stand out and secure new opportunities.
Contact us to get started.
