Sending out your CV but not getting any bites? The issue may not be you—AI bots could be screening your resume before a human even sees it.
What’s new: Companies have adopted AI algorithms into their hiring practices, tasking the tech with screening resumes and filtering out only the candidates whose skills match the job criteria perfectly into the next round—but it hasn’t been a flawless integration.
- Experts say there are biases built into the tech, and there is evidence showing that top candidates can be overlooked based on something as simple as their name or gender, per The Guardian.
- And even if all your skills align with the job requirements, some AI programs will reject applicants based on personality tests unrelated to work.
Why it’s happening: Cutting costs is top of mind for companies right now, and using AI for the grunt work of sorting through hundreds of resumes saves time and makes the process more efficient.
- A Harvard research study found that 90% of 2,250 US, UK, and German companies used AI at some stage of their hiring processes.
Yes, but: The rise of robot recruiters could be to blame for two sides of the same coin—employers struggling to find talent and job searchers sending out hundreds of resumes that don’t even get them an interview.
Why it matters: Half of Canadians say they plan to look for a new job this year, so if you’re one of them, understanding how to get your resume past the AI gatekeepers and into the hands of a human is key.
Here’s how to make your resume appealing to AI:
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Keep it simple. No flowery language, no photos or graphics, and no special characters—the days of standing out with creative flourishes are over. Machine readability is the top priority.
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Use the correct keywords. Your resume should mirror the required skills listed in the job description. Does the job need you to speak French? Bilingual might be too broad—say you’re fluent in French.
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Be thorough. List all certifications and licenses applicable to the role you’re applying for.
- Make it obvious. To avoid being passed over, ensure you add your understanding of commonly-used software like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud, especially if the job description mentions it by name.
Bottom line: It looks like AI hiring is here to stay, but you don’t need to write in binary to get your resume past the starting point—use straightforward language and save the personality for when you’re in front of a human recruiter.