Robots, Resumes, and Rejection: How to Optimize Your Application for AI Compatibility
It’s time to take control of your life, dear reader. That’s right! Knowledge is power in almost any aspect of your life, including winning the interview for your dream job. Today, we’re revealing everything as we take you through what you need to know, but didn’t know, about job applications in the world of AI.
The average job applicant these days needs to be knowledgeable, articulate, and, dare we say, a little bit sneaky. Everyone, from the university student who’s trying to snag their first “grown-up” job to the older fellow who’s looking to spread their passion for the industry in a new position, has something to learn from what we have to say in this post. But all must be wary, as this new world of job applications is fraught with robots and rejections. That’s right: the AI are already taking over! Don’t despair, though, dear reader. Whoops Word knows your enemy, and we’re going to teach you how to slay the AI dragon and win a job interview!
1. ATS: The Invisible Gatekeeper
You’re qualified for the job – you know it, we know it, and probably even the hiring manager would know it too. But first, you must slip past the gatekeeper: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This software is utilised by businesses of all sizes to scan, sort, and rank applications before passing the cream of the crop applications to hiring managers for assessment.
Think of the ATS like a bot version of Tinder – they swipe left and right on resumes, and then the hiring manager gets to weed through the matched applicants. (We apologise to anyone with traumatic memories of online dating who may feel triggered by this analogy.)
2. Keywords are King
While AI, such as ATS, with its language processing and machine learning, seems futuristic and super intelligent, its one-track-mindedness is actually what will work against you more than anything. You see, ATS are like bloodhounds in your resume – they’re looking for very specific words. If they can’t find them, either because they aren’t there or because they’re hidden amongst complicated formatting and spelling errors, they give up very quickly.
Key points here, dear reader: use clear, standard headings in your resume (our favourites include Professional Experience, Education, and Key Skills) and incorporate keywords for the job description. That’s right! Job ads provide you with the cheat code to ATS before you even apply. Pay attention and be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to that specific job opportunity.
3. ATS Hates and Loves
Remember what we said just before about hiding those treasured keywords in amongst fancy formatting? Don’t do that, please. ATS, despite its futuristic functions, is easily confused, and it lacks the emotional resilience to continue with your application once it has been frustrated. (Actually, AI doesn’t have any feelings… we don’t think… but don’t confuse the ATS.)
Extravagant templates, confusing graphics, columns, headers and footers, and creative font choices can be fun for a human reader. But remember, your resume has to slip past the ATS first, and it hates this stuff! Instead, opt for formats that flow easily, ditch the pictures and graphs, and keep it simple. While we’re on the topic of formatting, ATS really likes it when you follow instructions. So, if the application asks for your resume and cover letter in a specific document format, you'd best do as the instructions say.
The other thing ATS, and people for that matter, loves? Data. Evidence. Stats. Resist the urge to use generic phrases without evidence to back them up. Did you run a successful project that ran under budget because of your strategic prowess and created massive improvements for clients? (Of course you did, dear reader, we know you’re capable of such extraordinary things!) Show us the dollar signs, quote the percentages, and use the words “improvement” and “client satisfaction.” You love it, we love it, ATS loves it too, and the hiring manager will go wild for it!
4. We’re All at Risk
One of the main advantages of ATS is its ability to eliminate human bias. However, while this means workplaces are becoming more inclusive because ATS doesn’t care about age, gender, cultural background, or any personal detail, it also means even great candidates run the risk of having their applications tossed without remorse or second thought if they’re lacking in keywords and evidence of capability. Or worse, they encounter spelling and grammar errors (the horror, dear reader!).
While ATS’s ability to remove human prejudice from the hiring process is a major plus for society, it also means that the lovely PDF that would have immediately won somebody a job interview even as recently as a decade ago, now goes straight into the bin. No one is immune to this fate now! We must all tread carefully.
5. Hire a Professional
Gosh, if only there were someone who could help you navigate all these AI trip wires and give you the best chance at scoring an interview… oh, wait, there is! A professional editor is the ultimate hack in the modern world of job applications. Familiarity with these systems gives editors the leg up that allows them to help you write resumes and cover letters that strike the balance between writing for the bots and the human hiring managers you’re hoping to get through to.
By enlisting the help of a professional editor, you can be assured that your personality and passion are preserved in your application amongst all the optimisation and structure strategy that is designed to win over the AI systems. This skill of writing for both the AI and the human eye is what will ultimately win you that interview.
Do you need help, dear reader? Goodness, why didn’t you say sooner? Send us a message through the Contact page, and we’ll have you polished in no time!
