AI Can Be A Helpful Resource For Resume-Building

With summer in the rear-view mirror, September is an ideal time to take stock of your credentials, experience and skills when searching for a new job. September is also International Update Your Resume Month, a time to dust off your resume or start working on a new one explains Career Directors International, an association and learning lab for career industry professionals. Employers are looking for workers who can deliver from day one, and having a strong resume is a good start. This is vital for individuals with disabilities who are returning to work through Social Security’s Ticket to Work (TTW) Program.

An important step is to make sure your resume reflects your unique qualities in a clearly written and thorough manner so that it will be noticed by prospective employers. It must address specific job-required skills. As more is revealed about artificial intelligence (AI) and services like Chat GPT for writing resumes, it helps to understand how AI can be useful as well as potentially an issue.

AI Is Becoming The Norm In Resume-Writing

Many employers rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen candidates. Often the hiring manager won’t receive a resume because it lands in the digital trash. This could happen for a variety of reasons like having too many non-essential words, lacking job-specific experience or being poorly written. Tools such as ChatGPT or Kickresume can be beneficial in creating or updating resumes that have a higher chance of being considered.

While some employers may not accept applicants who have relied on AI to prepare a resume or apply for a job, others are comfortable with AI use in this area. In a survey by Sago, a global research company, for Canva, a graphic design platform, “45% of job seekers have used generative AI to build, update or improve their resumes.” The research also found that 90% of hiring managers surveyed said it is acceptable to use AI in job application materials and almost half reported they are fine with AI being used to create content for interviews.

An MIT Sloan study of nearly 500,000 global job seekers with roughly 70,000 from the U.S. revealed that job applicants who used AI tools to help write their resumes were 8% more likely to be hired, received 7.8% more job offers and earned 8.4% higher wages.

Employment Networks Provide Resume Support

A valuable benefit of Social Security’s TTW Program is the support from Social Security-authorized Employment Networks (EN) and state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVR). Experienced representatives can identify resources to help former workers search for suitable jobs and create or refresh their resumes. These professionals help their clients have the best possible chance of landing the right job. They can also provide support and access to resources including courses on understanding and using AI effectively.

Tips For Getting The Most Out Of AI

With AI continually evolving and gaining acceptance by employers hoping to attract talented workers, it is helpful to reinforce these points when using AI to build your resume:

· Use AI as a starting point but inject your own personal style.

· Make sure accomplishments and facts are verifiable and can be elaborated in an interview.

· Include key words that demonstrate your ability to meet the specific job duties.

· Be sincere and authentic.

· Double check spelling and grammar using free tools like Grammarly.

As I assist individuals returning to work after an extended absence, many are concerned with the job application process. How do they convey their skills and past accomplishments in a succinct and compelling way? What transferrable skills do they have? These are the questions that ENs and SVRs can help answer making this first stage of the hiring process more manageable – starting with a resume that catches the hiring manager’s eye.