Next in AI: Are "Resumé Generators" the Future?

With the advent of new technology comes the ability to streamline our work. Tasks that were once difficult or time consuming are now straightforward. Resumé creation is one task that has become simpler with the rise of AI-based generators. AI resumé generators can write content, build a template and tie it all together for the user in minutes. But can AI resume generators truly replace the quality of a human-written resumé?  In other words, does AI possess the subtleties that human writing has?

The Positive Side of AI

It should be said that AI resumé generators do have their place. They make creating a resumé fast, easy and many times, free. The resultant resumés are often ATS keyword-optimized and are great for individuals with a straightforward resumé (e.g., no changes in location or career). However, in special circumstances where there are gaps in employment or little (or considerable) experience, AI generators simply do not measure up to human writing.

Where AI Falls Short

The privacy concerns associated with using AI

When using any online tool, many may ask: “How is my data being used?”  Answering this question is not straightforward. AI tools of all types can pose serious risks to your data in unprecedented ways. These include misuse of your personal data and threats to the ownership of your authored projects. (See OVIC and Transcend for their insights).

The minute you create a resumé using an AI generator, the data on your resumé is at risk.  The developer behind the generator may even choose to utilize your resumé’s data for tasks such as machine learning or data analysis—something you may have unknowingly consented to (See The Economic Times for more information).  If the tool you’re using can save your data itself, it may distribute your data without your knowledge, leaving you susceptible to identity theft or fraud.  The bottom line is that AI has too many privacy concerns to ignore and the risk of fraud, misuse of your data or identity theft is not worth it.

Robotic content

While it is true that AI-generated content seems convenient and can demonstrate a basic grasp of a topic, it lacks nuances in writing that are uniquely human (see TechTarget). AI-generated content has been called “thin”, lacking the depth and knowledge of topics that only humans can learn, understand and internalize. As a result, resumés written by humans tend to get noticed by ATS more frequently, as they do more than copying and pasting keywords from the job description. A human can orient your resumé for scenarios such as gaps in or lack of experience, changes in career or relocations (see Alberta Alis).

Your best chance of  success is a resumé written by a trained professional who can summarize your whole career history in a detailed and concise package.

The Benefits of Human Writing

Human-written content is not only tailored for ATS, but for you as well

A human resumé specialist can get to know you, a benefit not seen when using AI. By interviewing you, engaging your references and researching your target positions, a resumé specialist can develop your world-class resumé. These human interactions are something AI cannot match.

Human writing quality is unmatched

In addition to being expertly tailored, human written content has a nuance that cannot be obtained when using AI. In comparison to an AI module which only knows a narrow set of scenarios, a human specialist has years, sometimes decades, of experience writing resumés for all scenarios. Adjusting a resumé to target positions is only half the battle. In order to truly stand out, you need a resumé that tells a story, painting a detailed picture of your professional qualifications and achievements.  While doing so, your resumé must also speak to why you are uniquely qualified.

Human writers can build resumés formatted for niche use scenarios

AI is great for writing basic chronological resumés, however it lacks the ability to sense unique career situations and format resumés accordingly. For example, military personnel transitioning to civilian life may require a special resumé format. A human writer understands the specificity associated with these scenarios and can give expertise for your target industry.

Conclusion

In today’s world, it might feel like almost everything is run by AI. For general purpose, low risk tasks, or even creating basic chronological format resumés, AI is a useful tool to streamline the process. But for more sophisticated and complex resumé writing, AI still lacks many of the skills of human writing. In addition, the considerable privacy risks make the use of AI a dangerous gamble. Consulting a human specialist offers a customized strategy unique to your needs with the added benefit of stylish writing. While the goal of these AI resume generators is to make the task easier for the user, it is clear that AI is no match for a trained professional resumé writer. As well, the risks associated with AI use should not be taken lightly; to position yourself for success and practice avoiding these risks, you should consult a human specialist.

References

Alberta alis. “The Pros and Cons of Using AI to Write Your Cover Letter and Resumé – Alis,”Government of Alberta, alis, April 15, 2024, https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/resumes-and-references/the-pros-and-cons-of-using-ai-to-write-your-cover-letter-and-resume/

Economic Times Online. “AI and Privacy: The privacy concerns surrounding AI, its potential impact on personal data,” The Economic Times, April 25,2023, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/ai-and-privacy-the-privacy-concerns-surrounding-ai-its-potential-impact-on-personal-data/articleshow/99738234.cms?from=mdr

Hetler, Amanda. “Pros and cons of AI-generated content,” TechTarget, July 8, 2024, https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Pros-and-cons-of-AI-generated-content

OVIC. “Artificial Intelligence and Privacy – Issues and Challenges,” Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner, April 2021, https://ovic.vic.gov.au/privacy/resources-for-organisations/artificial-intelligence-and-privacy-issues-and-challenges/

Sullivan, Morgan. “Examining Privacy Risks in AI Systems,” Transcend, December 1 2023, https://transcend.io/blog/ai-and-privacy