The shiny new toy everyone’s obsessed with? AI-powered resume builders. No, they aren't new, but MAN I am seeing a new service for this every other day it seems.

They promise to churn out polished resumes and flood job boards with your applications overnight.

Sounds like a dream, right? Wrong.

As someone who’s been in the trenches of resume writing and career coaching, let me tell you: relying on AI to craft your resume (like what I did there? #iykyk) is basically just sho*ting yourself in the foot. So yeah, let's talk about why AI resumes are a bad bet, backed by insights from recent studies and my firsthand experience.

Trust me, hiring managers can see right through AI.

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OH- btw- my Latest You Tube Video goes live on this very subject today (Tuesday 24th) at 11:30AM PST. Here's the link: - I will be there live to chat with you in the comments.

AI resume builders turn out one thing- resumes that are as generic as they come. AI tools are FABULOUS at matching keywords and making things look tidy, but they don’t get who you are. They don’t understand your unique journey, your hustle, your grit. Maybe they will one day, but it isn't today.

BTW- this is my FAVORITE movie. ❤️ CHEESY AF- but it's awesome.

Think about it. These AI tools scrape the surface, picking up buzzwords and spitting them out in neat formats.

But they miss the nuances, the context behind your achievements, the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve poured into your career.

You end up with a cookie-cutter resume that blends into the sea of other cookie-cutter resumes. AND then you do that over and over for each job?

AI Can’t Capture Your Unique Story

Your resume should be a mirror of your personal journey, showcasing your unique contributions and skills.

I know, I know- everyone will be like well, Amanda, you are a resume writer- isn't that funny you hate AI resumes. 😎 Yeah, I get it. If they were amazing- then OMG they would be great. I LOVE AI and I'm looking forward to the future and what it olds- but right now, AI + the Job Search is not a pretty picture. Prove me wrong. :)

When you let AI handle resume writing, you’re stripping away your personality.

AI doesn’t know your aspirations, the challenges you’ve overcome. Projects you were a part of. Metrics and accomplishments. it will struggle to figure out how you fit in as a perfect candidate. It’s just a machine, pumping out cookie-cutter templates. Congratulations. You are just like everyone else! And then it just mass applies. Ohhh that's just so HUMAN huh?

Hiring managers are looking for authenticity. Yeah, I hate that word- but I said it.

They want to see the real you, the person behind the paper.

AI might get the format right, but it will never get the essence of who you are.

The Reality Check: HR Leaders Know When It’s Fake

I’ve been talking to HR leaders, and here’s the thing ya'll: they can smell an AI-generated resume from a mile away. (Heck, you can read LinkedIn posts and figure out when they are written by AI too- so why would your resume be any different.)

Candidates might look perfect on paper, hitting all the right keywords, but when it comes to interviews, they fall flat. It’s like expecting a gourmet meal and getting fast food instead. AI resumes are all surface, no substance. HR is F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-E-D!

AI-generated resumes are presenting new challenges for recruiters and HR professionals in several ways. One significant issue is the struggle with “keyword bingo,” where candidates excessively tailor their resumes to match job descriptions, potentially misleading recruiters and overloading automated systems with non-genuine matches.

HR professionals aren’t fooled by perfect keyword matches.

They want to see if you can walk the talk.

They’re looking for depth, for genuine competence, and for a fit that goes beyond the words on a page. Guess what- it isn't happening. I am sure there are plenty of you reading this that say- oh just get me into the interview and I will BE who they need. But you know what- they are already starting to look past AI generic resumes and you are less likely to be contacted. It is a red flag. Why do it to yourself?

AI Is Slowing You Down

Oh, you think AI is speeding up your job search? Think again. Studies show that candidates using AI-generated resumes actually face longer job searches. Sure, you might get past the initial filters, but once you’re in the interview hot seat, it’s game over. The lack of personal touch means you’re not leaving a lasting impression, leading to more failed interviews and an endless job hunt.

I saw a piece from FlexJobs that highlights that while AI can help streamline the application process, it often fails to capture the personal nuances and unique qualifications that make candidates stand out. It's not just me having this opinion. It is wasting your time as a job seeker AND recruiters /HR, not to mention the time other job seekers are spending trying to get into this job.

Hiring Managers want applicants to focus on human connection to stand out in a competitive job market.

Authenticity (yeah, I used it again) is your secret weapon.

Employers don’t want just another applicant who fits the job description; they’re looking for people with unique perspectives and genuine passion.

An AI-generated resume might get you through the door, but it won’t get you the job.

It’s the human touch, the story only you can tell, that makes the difference.

Found this great piece from Scott Williams, talent acquisition director for NBCU News Group and NBCU Local. Williams and Allie Barclay, talent acquisition manager for NBCU News Group, share how they review journalism job submissions and what helps applicants’ resumes stand out to employers.

Once an applicant submits a resume into NBC News job portal, AI parses through the submissions and highlights certain words associated with skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. However, Williams said this is not a large factor in determining whether somebody moves forward in the process. “We take a look at the entire resume,” he said.  

Even if a candidate matches their resumes exactly to a job description, they will need to speak to their actual skills and abilities.  

“We will find out eventually,” Williams said about whether a candidate is qualified. “That’s why we have initial conversations.”  

Barclay said she receives applications in real time and likes to review each one, not just the resumes the NBC portal recommends. Barclay and Williams also warned against writing a cover letter that is a rehash of a resume. “It is not going to move the needle at all,” said Williams.  

So yes, talk about your successes, your failures, your lessons learned.

That’s what hiring managers want to see.

They’re looking for someone who can bring something new to the table, not just another cookie-cutter candidate.

When you let your personality shine through, you’re not just another applicant; you’re a person they want to know more about.

Companies Want Real People, Not Robots... No Really...

I'll get to the human side in a moment, but can we talk about the whole craziness that happened on July 9th, 2024 with Lattice ?

I think this somehow slipped through the news cycles pretty quietly for those that aren't HR geeks like me, but WHOA.

"Today Lattice is making AI history. We will be the first to give digital workers official employee records in Lattice. Digital workers will be securely onboarded, trained, and assigned goals, performance metrics, appropriate systems access, and even a manager. Just as any person would be." - Lattice, CEO, Sarah Franklin

Lattice’s announcement was part of the company’s greater effort to integrate AI into the workplace in a “responsible” way, according to the company, which meant treating the technology like a human hire: training it, onboarding it, and even assigning it a manager.

On July 12th they pulled back a bit, thank goodness. Update, July 12: This innovation sparked a lot of conversation and questions that have no answers yet. We look forward to continuing to work with our customers on the responsible use of AI, but will not further pursue digital workers in the product.

Eventually....

It WILL happen, but let's make sure YOU are not going to fall victim to being hired while a company trains an AI 'employee' to put you on PIP due to out performance and take your job.

They want people who can contribute to upskilling and reskilling. AI resumes, stuck in keyword mode, miss the boat on showcasing your potential.

Employers are looking for adaptability, for people who can evolve with their roles and bring fresh ideas.

They’re not just filling a position; they’re investing in someone who can grow with the company. AI doesn’t capture that. It doesn’t show your potential, your ability to learn and grow. And that’s a major miss in today’s job market.

My Plea... Take Control of Your Resume

If you want to stand out in your job search, take the time to write your own resume or seek professional help. Even if you don't use me... WRITE your resume yourself.

You know your achievements, metrics, and the value you bring to a potential employer better than any AI. Apply with a resume that truly reflects who you are. Don't be a generic candidate.

Pro Tip from The Job Chick: The Power of Metrics

Always aim to include metrics that highlight your achievements.

This is an easy way to transform vague job description bullets into powerful statements.

Here’s a specific example from a recent resume transformation for a VP of Sales role:

Before:

“Managed a sales team and was responsible for meeting sales targets in the technology sector.”

After:

“Directed a team of 15 sales professionals to exceed sales targets by 40% in the technology sector, driving a $1.2 million increase in annual revenue through strategic account management and innovative sales strategies tailored to Fortune 500 clients.”

This change highlights not just the responsibilities but the significant impact and results achieved. I brought in concepts that were wanted in the job description too- it's called using keywords in context. Including specific numbers and outcomes makes your resume more compelling and showcases your value to potential employers, providing a clear fit for future roles within similar high-performing companies.

😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

11:30 AM PST- Join me LIVE for a video on this subject.

OH- btw- my Latest You Tube Video goes live on this very subject today at 11:30AM PST. Here's the link:

- - I will be there live to chat with you in the comments.

X,

Job Chick OUT!

Amanda Goodall ❤️😎

Your FAVORITE Resume Writer - Anyone guess what my fav movie is?

Founder, The Job Chick