Using AI For Your Resumes? 8 In 10 Hiring Managers Can Spot It!

About eight in 10 hiring managers can spot an AI-written resume, according to a new Resume Genius survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers. Yesterday, I reported that more than two-thirds of hiring decision-makers say that AI resumes are sabotaging the recruitment process by slowing it down, making it difficult for them to verify real skills and experiences. Now, Resume Genius’ latest study confirms the attitude of employers to AI-generated resumes in greater detail, based on what they’re seeing in job applications right now:

• Approximately 79% say resumes are more polished and visually appealing than five years ago
• Around 78% say resumes are better tailored to specific job postings
• About 76% of hiring managers say the overall quality of resumes has improved in recent years

However, as they note, “better tailored doesn’t always mean more distinctive. AI tools can quickly mirror job descriptions and insert keywords, which helps candidates check the right boxes, but can make applications sound the same.

Among hiring managers:

• Four in five say they can often tell when a resume has been written by AI
• An estimated 77% say many resumes appear completely or partially AI-generated
• A further 69% say resumes are more generic or formulaic than they were five years ago

Additionally, around three in four hiring managers state that:

• Candidates should disclose AI assistance in application materials
• AI-written resumes make it harder to understand what a candidate actually did
• Heavy reliance on AI actually makes candidates seem less skilled

“At the same time,” Resume Genius notes, “some hiring managers view thoughtful AI use positively, but opinions are split.”

About 59% say using AI signals a candidate’s adaptability, while half of all hiring managers say it signals efficiency.

“When hiring managers think a resume was written with AI, it’s usually not one glaring mistake,” they said. “It’s the overall feel. If the tone sounds off or the details feel thin, that’s often enough to raise suspicion. And most hiring managers say they do notice these signals.”

Top 3 AI Resume Mistakes To Avoid

The top three AI giveaways to avoid?

• Unnatural phrasing or tone (51%)
• Repetitive or overly generic language (44%)
• Vague or inflated descriptions (41%)

Coming in at fourth and fifth place are buzzword-heavy writing (41%), and, yes, ironically, perfect grammar with no variation (39%).

Source: Yahoo