Why We’re Talking AI-Written Resumes
AI is everywhere these days, right? It’s driving business communications, shaping creative content, and even sneaking into the world of job searching. With so many job seekers wanting to use AI tools to write their resumes, it’s time to discuss the implications and how to properly leverage this new technology with three AI resume prompts.
I get it. AI is fast, feels easy, and puts a resume together that you might think is good enough. People are beyond curious about using AI tools to whip up their resumes. And while I could spend an entire post advocating as to why you shouldn’t hand over your career story to an algorithm, today I’m going to take a different approach. Let’s discuss how to use AI effectively, if you must.
The best way to tap into the power of artificial intelligence is to use it as a tool to save time while keeping your resume human, personal, and impactful. As Alyssa Hammond from Bentley University’s career center puts it, ‘AI is a great resource for career development… but it’s not a replacement for the human applying for the job’. That’s exactly why this post is all about using AI with intention. It’s not smart to outsource your career story (pun intended).
The Limits of AI. It’s Only as Good as Your Input
Here’s the deal: AI is only as smart as the information you feed it. And many of my clients don’t even realize what they’re missing until we have a good old-fashioned resume branding and discovery session. That’s where we uncover the “hidden gems.” You know, the wins, the impact, and the stories they didn’t realize they could leverage to raise the bar on their career marketing strategy.
The Human Touch. Why Emotion and Experience Matter
Let’s be real: having a human partner who’s emotionally invested in your success makes a difference. As an executive resume writer and coach, I bring that human element that AI can’t replicate. We’re talking about real-life nuance born from human interaction with C-suite and senior executives across the globe. The kind of human insight that comes from experience and caring about the outcome.
Bridging the Gaps. What AI Misses in the 3D World
Finally, even though AI is powerful, it doesn’t live in our shoes. It doesn’t fully grasp the sacrifices, the behind-the-scenes wins, or the unique twists in your professional journey. That’s where a human touch can bridge those gaps and bring your story to life. There are things that AI can and cannot do.
3 Smart Ways to Use AI for Your Resume (Without Losing the Human Touch)
Tip #1: Use AI to Trim Down Your Resume Thoughtfully
One of the smartest ways to leverage AI is to help you pare down that lengthy resume into something punchier. While I still believe in keeping valuable content, we all know attention spans are shorter these days. So let AI be your assistant in distilling each section of your work history into the real home-run achievements. Ideally, you will do this before updating your resume, distilling it to focus not only on essential accomplishments but also to make room for the new job experience to take center stage.
Prompt Tip: For each employment section, use the following AI resume prompt: “Distill this employment history down to the top three to five home runs that showcase my ability to [insert the agenda for this role].” That way, you’re guiding the AI to focus on what matters most, and you’re still in the driver’s seat.
Tip #2: Use AI to Identify Common Skills and Themes Across Roles
Here’s another clever way to make AI your sidekick: have it analyze a few job ads or role descriptions that match the kind of position you’re aiming for. If you’re an executive and there aren’t always job postings, you can pull a couple of LinkedIn profiles or leadership bios to do the trick (for comparison purposes).
Prompt Tip: Once you’ve got those examples, use the following prompt: “Analyze these three or four job descriptions and identify the common key skills or themes they all mention.” This way, you avoid cramming your resume with every keyword under the sun and instead focus on the skills and themes that show up consistently across your target roles.
Tip #3: Let AI Help You Spot (and Bridge) Gaps
Once you’ve identified the common keywords and themes for your target role, match them to your own history. Cross off the ones you can clearly back up with achievements, leaving you with the skills or experiences that feel like “gaps.”
That’s where AI comes in. Feed it your resume “skeleton,’ which is a stripped-down, factual version of your work history, and ask it to help surface examples from your past that align with those missing keywords.
Prompt Tip: “Here’s my current work history, and here are the skills/keywords I can’t yet match. Can you suggest real examples from my experience that support these?” This keeps the AI in a supporting role, while you stay in control of what actually represents your story.
So, now that you’ve got these three AI-assisted prompts and strategies, you’re well on your way to beginning the work that truly matters…the storytelling. This approach lets AI handle some of the groundwork so that you can focus on the creative, personal touches that really champion who you are.
The Human Touch Still Wins
AI can’t replicate emotional intelligence or the instinctive nuance that comes from years of real-world experience. When I work with a client, I’m not just arranging words; I’m connecting the dots between their achievements and the story they want to tell. That human investment is what makes a resume feel authentic and memorable, which is why you should always do most of the lifting yourself.
In my review of 30+ AI-generated resumes from job seekers in the last six months, 78% used identical phrasing in their career summaries. It’s a clear sign that relying too heavily on AI makes you blend in instead of stand out.
As you move forward, remember to:
- Weave it into a coherent story. Ensure each career move connects and builds toward your next step.
- Define your personal brand. Highlight your unique value and the ROI you bring to employers.
- Polish the final product. Make the design, tone, and structure reflect confidence and professionalism.
AI can help you get there faster. But the part that makes you memorable? That’s all you or a professional resume writer.
Happy Writing.
Not landing interviews with your AI-generated resume? Email it to writer@careersteering.com for a free professional evaluation — and find out exactly what’s holding you back.