If you’re a job seeker right now, you need tips for writing a resume and cover letter that appeals to humans and is optimised for machines. As with any new technology, when used correctly, AI can be extremely helpful to both applicants and recruiters. There’s no doubt it has dramatically changed the recruitment process over the last few years, with application tracking systems (ATS), AI resume screeners, automated assessments, and AI-assisted applications becoming increasingly prevalent. In this blog, we explore how you can navigate this new world, equipped with the knowledge to benefit from this technology while avoiding common pitfalls.

How AI Is Changing the Recruitment Process

The hiring process is now faster and more efficient than ever, thanks to AI and automation. What this means is that recruiters benefit from finding the right candidates quickly, but if you’re a job seeker, you need to understand how applications are screened.  If you’re not vigilant, your application may be overlooked even before human eyes have a chance to view it. Conversely, if your application is too AI-assisted, you will lose the authenticity that matters to human beings. It’s a balancing act! So, here are a few valuable tips for writing a resume and cover letter to ensure you don’t miss opportunities in the AI-recruitment era.

ATS scanning and ranking

Many companies now use automated tracking systems (ATS) to manage applications. ATS helps recruiters scan resumes for relevant keywords from the job description, such as skills and job titles, to determine how well you match the position they’re looking to fill. This means it’s more important than ever to read the job description carefully to ensure the skills, experience and requirements mentioned appear in your resume as keywords.

Employers use ATS software to:

• Collect job applications
• Store candidate information
• Scan and parse resumes
• Rank or filter candidates
• Help recruiters manage the hiring process

AI tools recruiters use

Recruiters are increasingly using advanced AI tools that go beyond basic keyword searches, including résumé parsers, skills matching, and sentiment analysis. When you understand this new technology, you can make sure it works to your advantage.

Resume parsers

Resume parsers, also known as resume scanners, work by extracting key information, including:

• Name and contact information
• Work history
• Job titles
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications

They work by quickly breaking a resume into structured data to filter, rank and search thousands of applications efficiently.

Tip

If your resume isn’t formatted cleanly, the parser may misread it, causing it to be filtered out before it even reaches a human recruiter. So, ensure you don’t use any unusual fonts, text boxes or images in your application.

Skills-matching tools

Skills matching tools compare your experience and job requirements and assign a match score indicating how closely you might be an ideal candidate for a particular role. The system looks for:

• Hard skills (Python, project management, bookkeeping).
• Soft skills (communication, leadership)
• Certifications
• Experience level

Tip

Make sure you include all skills mentioned in the job description, including soft skills such as communication and leadership experience.

Sentiment analysis

Sentiment analysis takes application scrutiny to the next level, evaluating your tone and communication style in your cover letters or any written communication. This gives recruiters insight into your confidence and professionalism. In hiring, it can be applied to:

• Cover letters
• Assessment responses
• Candidate emails
• Interview transcripts

Sentiment analysis can predict:

• Confidence
• Enthusiasm
• Mindset (positivity/negativity)
• Communication style

Tip

You don’t need to sound over-enthusiastic, but confidence and professionalism are crucial in all written communication. Some sentiment analysis may flag generic or AI-generated content as low engagement or low authenticity, so be careful how you use AI in your application. Remember, AI is helpful as a planning tool and can help you write with professionalism and confidence but make sure it’s in your own words to avoid this common pitfall.

 

Personality and authenticity matter

Candidates are also increasingly using AI-assisted tools, such as ChatGPT, to create professional resumes and draft cover letters. While this often results in more polished applications, it also increases the number of generic submissions. As a result, discerning recruitment professionals now look carefully for signs of genuine interest and real-world experience that AI-generated content can’t easily replicate.

Tip

Take advantage of AI as a planning tool and even to assist with guiding professional, purposeful writing, but ensure the final application is human-written and has personality.

Tips for Writing a Resume in the AI Era

One of the most important tips for writing a resume in the AI era is to balance optimisation and genuine human connection. So, make sure you adhere to a few basics.

Optimise for ATS and human readers

• Use clean formatting, standard headers (experience, skills, education).
• Avoid text boxes, images, and columns that ATS might misread.
• Stick to common file types (PDF or DOCX) as required by the employer.

Keyword strategy without ‘stuffing’

• Look for keywords in the job description and ensure these are included in your application.
• Use keywords naturally and use bullet points for impact.
• Focus on skills, tools, certifications, and industry terminology.

Show measurable achievements

AI technology can match your skills to a job description, but it can’t understand the big picture or the real impact you’ve made in your career. So, make sure you include clear numbers or results in your résumé. When you highlight your achievements, such as how much you increased sales, saved time, or improved a process, it gives human recruiters a quick and convincing picture of what you’ve accomplished.

Keep a master resume

Save a master copy of your resume that includes all your roles and achievements. But don’t send this version out for every job application. Instead, create a tailored version for each job using both manual editing and AI assistance.

Humanise your value

AI can list your skills, but it can’t show the real you. Try using strong action verbs to share real-world examples that highlight skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. If you do this well, you demonstrate qualities that are difficult for AI to replicate, helping recruiters understand the unique value you bring.

Here’s an example:

Generic/AI

• Responsible for managing team projects and communicating with stakeholders.

Human, specific, strong action verbs

• Led a team of 6 to deliver a customer support project two weeks early by communicating clearly, resolving conflicts quickly, and collaborating across departments.

This improved version shows:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Real human behaviour that AI struggles to show

Cover Letter Tips for the AI Era

The cover letter is arguably the most human element of the hiring process until the interview. It’s a chance to offer a direct, personal glimpse of what you have to offer. Make sure you use AI to brainstorm, but don’t let it replace your unique voice.

If you use AI, make sure you also include personal details about the job you are applying for to ensure it’s personalised.

• Mention specifics about the company, team, or role.
• Reference relevant company initiatives, products, or values.
• Explain why the role excites you, which is something AI writing tools can’t fake convincingly.

AI is helpful for:

• Idea generation
• Outlining
• Editing for correct spelling/punctuation, and grammar

Avoid:

• Generic, overly formal AI tone
• Letters that don’t match your real communication style

How to Use AI Tools for Applications

AI is a valuable tool for drafting versions of your application, summarising your experiences, and ensuring you meet job description targets. But it can’t replace genuine passion or nuanced storytelling, which provide the context behind your achievements. It also cannot predict what makes you a good fit for the organisation or role.

A foolproof way to ensure your application isn’t overly reliant on AI is to avoid AI’s ‘fingerprints,’ which are obvious signs of its use.

AI fingerprints include:

• Generic phrases, like “I am writing to express my strong interest…”
• Overly polished, unnatural sentences.
• Inconsistent tone between resume, cover letter, and interview style.

 

While the temptation to save time and improve your application with AI is great, personalisation and human connection matter more than ever. So, make sure you have these tips on how to write a resume handy to strike a balance between using AI as a helpful tool and maintaining your unique voice and humanity. If you do this well, you have a competitive edge in the AI-recruitment era.