How to Optimize Your Resume for AI Screening
It’s becoming more common for recruiters and job hunters to leverage AI to streamline the process on both sides. AI is making it easier for employers to analyze huge numbers of applications more efficiently. While technology certainly helps job seekers, with 30% of professionals in one survey having admitted to using the technology to prepare for a job interview, its use by hiring teams also presents some unique challenges. Professionals need to understand how these systems work and tailor their documents accordingly to give them the best chance of securing an interview. Here are three important things to keep in mind.
Use keywords wisely
AI scanners are trained to pick out keywords that are relevant to the given position and are used as a basic means of quickly assessing a candidate’s suitability. When crafting your CV for a specific role, it’s always a good idea to keep a copy of the job description handy. This way, you can pick out words and phrases that are listed in the skills and experience sections, and highlight your proficiency in these areas on your resume.
You might look to leverage strategic keywords in your job titles, role descriptions, and the skills and education sections. At the same time, stuffing your CV with keywords will be detrimental to your chances of progressing; even if recruiters are using AI to analyze your resume, it still needs to appeal to human readers and appear natural. This is especially true if you’re going for a role that requires high levels of reading and writing comprehension.
Focus on the format
To create the perfect resume, it’s important not to make the format an afterthought. While it’s true that the content is key, ultimately the most well-written document could go to waste if it hasn’t been formatted properly. Firstly, think about keeping everything clean and simple. Don’t use unusual font types or different text sizes throughout – keep the headings and main body consistent with sizing and font.
In addition, graphics or tables should generally be avoided, since some AI systems might struggle to interpret the information within them. Finally, think about the file type and how the document is saved. If you save it in a text file format (.txt) you can get an idea of how it might look to an AI system. However, when submitting a PDF, it is always a safe bet that you will have fewer formatting issues because PDFs are more secure than Word documents. Ultimately you should make sure you carefully check the job listing to see if the company has specified a format, in which case you should always follow their preference.
Proofread for errors
With or without the use of AI scanners, you must keep your documents error-free. Spelling, misuse of punctuation, or chronological mistakes can cost you dearly, and is a clear indicator to both AI tools and human readers that you lack attention to detail. Whether you ask a trusted friend or family member to proofread your document, or you run it through an online grammar checker, make sure it’s free from mistakes before sending it off or you can expect to automatically be filtered into the ‘no’ pile every time you apply.
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search
and succeeding in your career easier.
How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way
You will find great info and job search coaching to help with your job search at JobSearch.Community
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter
Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your job search at www.TheBigGameHunter.us.
Career Coach Office Hours: June 18, 2024
We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www.TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to www.TheBigGameHunter.us makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.
