How to beat AI in Recruitment: Top tips for a successful resume

AI is changing the face of recruitment, and it can be a daunting prospect for job seekers. But don’t worry; there are ways to beat the AI and tailor your resume for success. 

Here are our top tips for ensuring your resume stands out from the crowd and gets past the AI.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

The days of traditional recruitment are long gone. Technology has revolutionized the way that employers find, vet, and hire top talent. 

One of the most disruptive technologies is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has made its way into recruitment. AI has been used to automate many aspects of the recruitment process, from screening resumes to scheduling interviews.

For job seekers, this means more than just using features like the Indeed search function to land the right jobs. It means having to tailor their resume in order to stand out from the competition and pass through the AI algorithms. While this might sound intimidating, some simple tips can help you beat the AI and get your resume in front of recruiters.

1. Keep it simple

The most important thing to remember is to keep it simple – don’t try to outsmart the AI. Instead, focus on making your resume easier for the AI to read and understand.

Make sure that you use clear and concise language in your resume, avoiding overly long sentences and overly complicated words. You should also avoid using jargon and industry-specific terms – the AI may not be able to pick up on these. 

Additionally, you should avoid including too much information. Stick to the basics, such as your education, work experience, and key skills and competencies. 

Also, make sure that you structure your resume properly and use formatting consistently. An AI algorithm won’t be able to process a disorganised or confusing resume. Be sure to include key sections such as a summary, experience section, education section, and list of any relevant skills or certifications. 

2. Use resume keywords

One of the most important aspects of applying for a job is ensuring that your resume has the right keywords. When employers or recruiters are using AI to scan through resumes, having the correct keywords in your document can make a big difference in how you stand out from the competition.

To make sure your resume has the right words to get noticed by AI, take the time to research industry-specific keywords and phrases related to your experience and qualifications. Also, consider including technical terms that are related to the job you are applying for, such as programming languages or software programs.

Once you have a list of keywords, use them throughout your resume in an organised way. Try to avoid making your resume look jumbled with too many words crammed together; instead, aim to incorporate your keywords into sentences that convey your qualifications in an effective way.

Don’t forget to double-check for spelling and grammar errors before submitting your resume. AI algorithms may not pick up on mistakes, but human recruiters certainly will!

3. Tailor your resume to the job description.

AI is playing an increasingly important role in the recruitment process, and if you want to be successful in the job hunt, it's essential to make sure your resume is tailored to stand out to the AI. Here are some top tips to help you do just that:

• Make it concise. AI is built to skim through resumes and search for keywords quickly. This means that when writing your resume, it’s important to keep it concise and focused on the most important points of your professional background. This means no wordy or overly detailed descriptions, as the AI will likely not pick up on them. 
• Focus on skills. Instead of going into too much detail about the specifics of your past jobs, focus on showcasing the relevant skills you have developed from each experience. This can be done through a bulleted list of your key achievements or responsibilities for each role. 
• Use relevant keywords. As mentioned, AI is programmed to look for certain words or phrases in resumes, so ensure to include any relevant keywords related to the job you are applying for. This could include technical terms or specific tasks, so research the job description and tailor your resume accordingly. 
• Follow proper formatting. AI may be able to detect formatting when skimming through your resume, so make sure to include things like headings, bold text, italics and bullet points to emphasise important points. This can help make your resume easier to digest and more likely to be picked up by AI software. 

4. Use numbers

When it comes to making a resume stand out from the competition, using numbers can be a great way to catch the eye of recruiters and their AI-driven systems. Including information such as how many years of experience you have in your chosen field or what your GPA was when you graduated can help show recruiters just how qualified you are.

If you’ve held several different roles over the years, be sure to include specific facts about each. For instance, if you worked as a software engineer, provide metrics such as the size of the team you worked on, the complexity of the projects you took on, and the measurable successes you achieved.

Including quantifiable information is also key if you’ve volunteered, served in the military, or worked in freelance capacities. List the number of clients you’ve served and the type of tasks you completed. Include specifics such as how much money you raised for a charity or your security clearance level while serving in the military.

By including numbers on your resume, you’re giving potential employers a better idea of your qualifications and accomplishments. This can help set you apart from other applicants and ensure that your resume passes through AI-driven recruitment systems with flying colors.

If you are not sure about what numbers to include, then you are free to use a professional resume builder to craft a resume that beats AI in recruitment.

5. Showcase your skills

You should highlight your accomplishments. Include a section on your resume that showcases achievements such as awards won, projects completed or milestones achieved. This will give employers an idea of what you’re capable of and could help you stand out from other applicants.

Tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. Highlight how your skills, experience and education match the job description and make sure to include any related keywords that AI might pick up on. Doing this could help increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters and landing that all-important job interview.

If you consider these things, you should be able to maximise your chances of success when applying for jobs with AI recruitment systems. 

6. Use a professional email address

Having a professional email address is key when it comes to creating a professional impression and standing out to an AI recruiting algorithm.

You want to ensure that it accurately represents who you are and your skills and experience. Your email address should include your name and something that identifies you as a professional. This could be anything from your job title to your work industry.

Having a professional email address also makes it easier for recruiters to contact you. It’s important that the email address is easy to remember so that recruiters can quickly find your contact information and reach out.

When creating a professional email address for your resume, it’s important to avoid free, public email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail. These accounts are generally not associated with a company and tend to have more security vulnerabilities than more established corporate email providers. 

Moreover, make sure your email address is up to date on your resume. It’s important to keep your email address active so that recruiters can easily reach out when they have a job opportunity. 

7. Use a professional headshot

While it’s not essential, a professional headshot can help you stand out from the competition and make a good impression on recruiters. It also gives the recruiter a visual representation of you, allowing them to put a face to the name and get an idea of who you are before they even read your resume.

When selecting your headshot, ensure it’s up to date and reflects your professional persona. Choose a picture that looks natural and shows you in a positive light. Wear professional attire, have good posture, and make sure the background is appropriate. It should also be clear and high resolution so that recruiters can easily see your face.

Having a professional headshot that accurately represents who you are and what you can offer on your resume could be the difference between you getting noticed or slipping through the cracks. 

Conclusion

As AI recruitment becomes increasingly popular, it’s important to know how to tailor your resume to be attractive to AI. With the right strategies and knowledge, you can ensure that your resume stands out from the crowd and impresses potential employers.