Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably well aware of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s revolutionizing nearly everything. From healthcare to finance, education, and retail, there’s hardly an industry that isn’t being entirely disrupted and turned on its head by the impacts of AI.
Hiring and recruitment are no exception. However, as a tech-savvy job hunter, there’s no reason to worry. Instead, learn how to use the power of AI to your advantage. By harnessing its incredible speed and intelligence, you can use this transformative technology to optimize your resume and cover letter so they break through applicant tracking system (ATS) barriers and appeal to human recruiters.
Keep reading to discover specific AI tools that will help you defeat ATS and impress employers.
What is ATS?
Chances are good you’ve heard of applicant tracking systems (ATS) already since so many companies rely on them (and have for years) to filter out resumes that don’t meet certain criteria. Essentially, these programs scan resumes for keywords and phrases that match the job description and assess formatting, ranking applicants based on this information. The key takeaway? If your resume doesn’t align with the employer’s ATS criteria, it will likely never reach a human’s desk for consideration.
So how can you use AI to combat ATS? Here are the exact steps to follow:
#1: Identify the Right Keywords
To create an ATS friendly resume in the past, a resume writer would have had to skim through the job description, manually noting repetitive keywords and phrases, and then add them into the language. This took time. Now, various AI tools like Jobscan, Resume Worded, Huntr, and ChatGPT can quickly analyze the description for you and highlight the most important keywords. To do this, simply:
- Upload or paste the job description of the position you’re applying for into the AI tool.
- Prompt the tool to extract notable keywords for you. Request that it list or highlight the keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned. These often include specific skills, job titles, and industry-specific terminology.
- Naturally incorporate these keywords into your resume and cover letter. Avoid keyword stuffing; instead, make sure the keywords that apply to your individual skills and experiences fit seamlessly and logically into your resume’s language.
#2: Optimize Your Resume Content
Once all the notable keywords in your target job ad have been identified and incorporated into your resume, optimize its content further with the help of AI:
- Use an AI tool like SkillSyncer to compare your resume against the job description. These kinds of AI-powered services often provide a match rate indicating how closely your resume aligns with the job listing. In addition, they suggest edits you can make to improve this alignment.
- Prompt AI to rephrase your job responsibilities and achievements so they sound more impactful. For instance, instead of saying that you “managed a team,” you might say you “led a team of 10 to achieve a 20% increase in sales.”
- Have AI check your resume and cover letter for readability and formatting issues that might hinder ATS parsing. Clear, simple formatting with standard fonts and bullet points is essential.
In each of the above instances, AI speeds up the process, making it faster and easier for you to tailor your resume for every application, quantify your achievements, and ensure that your resume is both formatted correctly and easy to read.
#3: Refine Your Cover Letter
If you choose to include a cover letter with your application, it should complement your resume and be well-written. AI can help you in both regards:
- Utilize AI-driven tools like Jobscan and Rezi to customize your cover letter for each job. They can tailor your language to match the company’s tone and the job’s requirements.
- AI can suggest which experiences and skills from your resume to emphasize based on the job description. Highlighting relevant experience will ensure that your cover letter speaks directly to what the employer is seeking.
- Grammarly and Hemingway are excellent AI tools for proofreading and improving the clarity of your cover letter. They can help you keep your writing professional and error-free.
#4: Perform Final Checks
Before submitting your application, perform a final check using AI tools:
- There are several AI-enhanced services out there that will check to see if your resume will pass ATS scans and point out any potential issues so you can fix them in advance. Some of these include Zety, Kickresume, Enhancv, and Resume Worded.
- AI can also be prompted to provide constructive feedback on your resume and cover letter, suggesting improvements you might have missed.
Leverage AI to Transform Your Resume and Cover Letter
If employers are using AI to streamline their hiring and recruitment processes, who’s to say you can’t also use it to bring your application documents to the next level? The truth is that leveraging AI to enhance your resume and cover letter is a game-changer in today’s competitive job market. By strategically employing AI to craft a powerful resume and cover letter, you’ll be well on your way to beating ATS, impressing HR, and locking down the perfect job opportunity.
Need additional help building a resume? Get step-by-step directions in Steal My Secrets: A 1-Day DIY Guide to a Killer Resume (available as both an eBook and paperback on Amazon) or contact CopyHawk today for professional resume writing services. Wishing you lots of job search success!