As if navigating the hiring process wasn’t challenging enough, recruiters are increasingly using AI detection software and quick human reviews to filter out resumes and cover letters entirely generated by AI tools.
To be fair, employers are simply responding to the proliferation of “AI slop,” which professional resume writer Lynne Williams defines as mass produced application documents that lack personality, color and authenticity.
While employers often get the blame, many tech job seekers are using AI in a way that leads to their rejection. According to a survey by Resume Now, 35 percent of workers say they rarely or only occasionally review AI-generated output before using it.
Don’t let bad habits ruin your chances. Here are five surefire ways to avoid producing AI slop.
Avoid the Sea of Sameness
Williams can spot an AI-written resume in seconds. “They all use the same style,” she said.
Resumes that are completely written by AI contain large sections of dense text instead of bullet points, black and white formatting and few personal details. Also, the keywords seem mashed together, overused and lack context.
In fact, modern applicant tracking systems (ATS) are shifting from simple keyword matching to semantic scoring to evaluate resumes. So, providing context and emotional intelligence that AI cannot is crucial.
For instance, when a candidate claims to be a “results-oriented team player with a strong work ethic” but offers no supporting examples, related skills or personal anecdotes, it is considered to be a red flag by recruiters.
Including passions, hobbies, recent courses or certs and side projects on a resume and complementary LinkedIn profile helps to bring out your personality and supports transferable skills like leadership or teamwork.
Convert lengthy paragraphs into two-line bullet points front-loaded with metrics (numbers, percentages or dollar amounts) and strong action verbs to show, rather than tell, your impact. And use boldface type or color to highlight specific sections.
Never ask an AI tool to write or rewrite your entire resume or “you’ll drown in a sea of sameness,” Williams warns.
Avoid Mirroring Job Descriptions with AI
Using AI to directly “mirror” the job description, or copy-pasting it into the profile section of your resume, to get past ATS filters can backfire.
When a candidate’s profile, title or headline does not align with their work history, Kelli Hrivnak, head of Recruitment for Knak Digital, sees it as a red flag.
“It is almost like reading a fiction novel,” Hrivnak said.
Your opening summary is supposed to be supported by years of experience, core competencies, projects and quantifiable achievements.
As a tech pro, when your resume focuses on the execution of tasks and responsibilities listed in the job description instead of how you made the company money, saved the company money, or improved processes, it brings everything into question.
Instead of asking AI to rewrite your resume to match a job description, use it for analysis to identify gaps. Then create original content to make sure your resume aligns with the requirements of the role.
Don’t Rely on AI to Fill In the Data
Even if your resume makes it past the ATS, using AI to create your resume can trip you up in interviews.
Resumes made exclusively with generative AI often contain inaccurate or “hallucinated” project details, outcomes, or metrics to fill in gaps.
When tech candidates cannot explain the how or why behind an accomplishment or impact bullet point, the conversation falls apart, Hrivnak says. It signals a lack of ownership or potential fabrication leading to rejection.
The key is to never use AI to curate data or ideas. Instead, source and highlight real-life examples of KPIs or outcomes by reviewing scorecards, project documentation and performance plans.
Keep AI in Its Place
The problem with ceding control of your resume’s content to a bot is that it neglects the writing process. You know, the part where you brainstorm the story you want to tell, the projects and work samples you want to highlight and the discovery of your unique value proposition. The things that help you stand out.
Start by creating at least seven to 10 success stories to strategically insert into your resume and share during interviews. Then produce a summary of your professional value, top achievements, and chronological work history.
Be sure to incorporate must-have tools and frameworks, software, programming languages and methodologies into your examples by explaining how you used those tools to drive impact and results.
Once you’ve collected all the material, create an outline and a rough draft of your resume, revise, rewrite and proofread. It is less likely you will be accused of using AI or sounding impersonal or generic if you write the content, including all the accomplishments and stories, in your own words.
Polish Your Writing with AI
Using AI does not have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Use it to correct grammar, proofread or suggest better action verbs rather than asking it to rewrite the entire content or a specific section. And use it to help format the success stories for your resume or the summaries for your project addendum and interview responses.
“Ask for options, suggestions or modifications that improve clarity or improve alignment by taking the job description into consideration,” Williams said. That way you maintain creative control over the content.
Finally, since your ultimate goal is to impress a hiring manager, getting feedback from trusted colleagues is one of the most effective ways to ensure your resume is compelling to a human, not just a bot.
Your resume is the one document that has to sound like you — not a bot trained on everyone else's career. Use AI to sharpen it, not replace the person behind it.
