In a recent publication of The Wall Street Journal online, a growing dilemma was identified concerning job seekers who use Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs to write their resumes and cover letters. The situation is resulting in rising frustration levels not only for job seekers, but also for companies and employers.
The AI Conflict
While companies have used AI bots (i.e. ATS / Applicant Scanning Systems) to screen resumes for years, job seekers have
recently implemented the use of AI programs to construct their documents in hopes of saving time and money. However, this may be resulting in an even greater overall cost since companies are now deploying even more bots of their own to sort through the oceans of applications they receive daily. What now exists is a proverbial “bot war”. The differing algorithms are conflicting with each other and subsequently leaving both applicants and employers exasperated.
Oleg Segal, CEO and direct hiring supervisor of the organization, DealA, concurs that while AI has significantly altered the job-search landscape, it hasn’t come without potential conflict and drawbacks.
Drawbacks for Job Seekers
“A common conflict between AI-generated resumes and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is about keyword mismatch. Often, AI tools create resumes replete with industry jargon and keywords that might not necessarily align with the specifics that ATS algorithms are set to identify. Thus, potentially suitable applicants might be overlooked,” says Segal.
Anna Williams, HR director at Digital Silk who has observed firsthand the incorporation of AI in the hiring and resume evaluation process, concurs, “For job seekers, the implications can be frustrating. Despite possessing the necessary skills, they may be eliminated from the process due to these AI and ATS conflicts. It might force candidates to ‘game’ their resumes to cater to machines, which may not truly reflect their abilities or potential.”
Employer Perspective
Business Development Manager and owner of Ascendant Technologies, Matthew Franzyshen, cautions job seekers against “relying solely on AI resumes in the hiring process due to potential drawbacks such as bias, lack of context, and overlooking unique candidate qualities.”
While a certain amount of AI use in the job-search process is inevitable, Franzyshen advises job-seekers of the specific drawbacks that AI-generated resumes can have on the employee screening process. “AI systems may not accurately assess soft skills, personality traits, and cultural fit, which are crucial factors in successful hiring decisions,” says Franzyshen who also suggests that while AI can be a complimentary tool, human evaluation is imperative for a comprehensive and inclusive hiring process.
The Takeaway
The defining consequence is that the discord between AI resumes and Applicant Tracking Systems has made the chances of landing an interview — much less securing a job — slimmer because your resume may never fully permeate the AI “screening war”. This is mainly because AI-generated resumes (and cover letters) fail to implement one of the most important factors in any job search: the portrayal of your unique value in the workplace.
At Leadership Transition, LLC, we recommend using a professionally certified resume writer who holds multiple certifications in one or more of the three national resume writing organizations. Additionally, we recommend that you seek a professional with at least a 10-year history of writing resumes at the executive level.
Fred Coon, President & Managing Member
Leadership Transition LLC provides executive job and career transition strategies and services to senior level leaders who wish to make their next successful and financially rewarding career move.
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