Getting noticed in the numerous AI generated exaggerated resumes when applying for jobs

[outdoorsNW]

I am looking for a new job and not getting many responses to my applications, far fewer than in past job searches. Based on some other recent posts about people with great sounding resumes, likely AI generated, who cannot answer basic questions about their resume, I am wondering if I am losing out to people with great sounding AI resumes but limited to no actual experience.

Do you think this is true?

If yes, how do I counter it without also submitting resumes greatly exaggerating my background?

I am usually customizing the resume for a particular job and matching the terms used. I am applying for jobs where I seem to be somewhat over or underqualified to see if I am targeting wrong. I am also avoiding giving any salary requirements unless forced to, when I try to give a large range or say the same as the job description.

 

[jpconnor]

I don't think you are losing out to AI. We, the interviewers, are still asking questions about specific experience based on the job posting. If the posting states experience in say, IATF16949, I ask questions about it. Right now the job market is uncertain. There is definitely a lack of discretionary income which 50% of our sales depends on. There are many hiring holds where, even though a job has been posted it has not been retracted.

 

[yodon]

Realize that there are hurdles before getting to the hiring manager. For example, HR (or an automated system) may screen resumes and make a "hit count" of buzzwords in your resume based on the job posting. If you have a low hit count, you don't make it past the first hurdle. It's been a while since I was job hunting, but when I started tailoring my resumes (and cover letters) to align (as appropriate) with the needs and wording from the job post, I started getting more interviews.

Also realize that for every job posting, there may be hundreds or thousands of applications. Connections always improve your odds. If you can get connected to someone who is connected to the hiring manager (or directly to the hiring manager), your odds go up. Use all networking opportunities to become known. Nobody should be recommended because they just met on LinkedIn (for example), but you might be able to establish enough credibility to get a "you might want to consider" suggestion.

It's tough. Job searching is really a full-time job. Do your homework before submitting. Stay positive and stay persistent.

 

[RoxaneB]

I don't think you are losing out to AI. We, the interviewers, are still asking questions about specific experience based on the job posting. If the posting states experience in say, IATF16949, I ask questions about it. Right now the job market is uncertain. There is definitely a lack of discretionary income which 50% of our sales depends on. There are many hiring holds where, even though a job has been posted it has not been retracted.

I think the challenge OP faces is getting to the interview stage in an environment where there may be a lot of AI-generated resumes. OPs resume may be moved to the 'do not proceed' pile during the initial screening stage, so there's not even an opportunity to shine during an interview.

If organizations are using tech to search for key words, it would not surprise me to hear that the resumes where the key words are used a lot are the ones that get through. Having recently gone through the recruitment process to hire for two positions, I was actively involved in the recruitment process, working with my internal recruitment team. They learned that, yes, there are key words I want to see, but I also care about resumes that say what was achieved, not just what was done. If a resume was acronym-heavy, I rejected it - partly because, while there are lot of acronyms in our role, I expressly said I needed people who can communicate with people who aren't as comfortable with data as we are.

Sadly, OP, you may be losing out to AI-generated resumes, but not necessarily because of your resume or its content. It could also be how organizations have set up the process and tech on their end for sifting through the numerous applicants.

Wish I had a solution for you, other than to suggest applying to smaller organizations where recruiting may be more hands-on or finding the recruiters on LinkedIn and messaging them directly about your resume (kind of like a virtual handshake) - I actually had an applicant do that with me and I ended up hiring her! Some, however, may find the direct messaging a bit off-putting.

 

[Ed Panek]

We shall see how the use of AI has enriched the recruitment process...or the reverse soon I think.

 

[outdoorsNW]

Thanks for the suggestions. To clarify a few things:

The problem is I am not getting to the interview stage as often as I would expect based on past job searches and cases where I meet a high percentage of what is being asked for.

I am customizing the resume with keywords matching the job description. However, I am concerned singular vs plural, past tense vs present tense, and similar could be a problem.

I am trying to use connections when I can, but I only have connections for a small percentage of the jobs I am applying to. Often the only way to reach out in LinkedIn is to send an invitation with its limited number of characters.

I don’t use many acronyms, except for ones used in the job description and ones that are extremely common in the quality procession, such as SCAR.

I am applying to organizations of all sizes on the basis of what I think is a good match for my background.

 

[Randy]

I am applying to organizations of all sizes on the basis of what I think is a good match for my background

That being?

 

[Slickpick]

I am usually customizing the resume for a particular job and matching the terms used. I am applying for jobs where I seem to be somewhat over or underqualified to see if I am targeting wrong. I am also avoiding giving any salary requirements unless forced to, when I try to give a large range or say the same as the job description.

How many different jobs / positions are you applying to? Are you staying within a specific discipline or applying to multiple roles?

What is the extent of your "customization"? If you have the required skillset for a particular position I don't see why you would need to tailor your resume when applying for said positions. If they ask for core tool experience for example, you will either have it or you won't...

 

[outdoorsNW]

I also suspect AI is not looking at accomplishments on a resume.

To answer the more recent questions:

I have over 15 years of experience as a manufacturing Quality Engineer (or Supplier QE) including project and fill in leadership experience. Much of the 15 years is electronics related (mostly aerospace) but some of it is in medical, renewable energy, and other industries.

I am applying to Quality Engineer, SQE, and Quality Manger jobs. So far I seem to get more interviews for Quality Manager jobs. I am typically applying to 2-4 positions per week.

As a result of how long I have been a QE, I have a long list of skills, experience, and accomplishments which is too long to put everything on a 2 page resume, even if I drop some older or repetitive items and exclude items not relevant to the particular job. For QE jobs I often remove some of my leadership experience unless the job description asks for leadership for a QE or SQE job.

I see many job listings that ask for 30-40 specific skills. Given my many years of experience, I often have experience with 70-95% of what is being asked for. While I list some skills, for many others I try to provide details. And many job descriptions use uncommon synonyms for at least a few things meaning I have to customize each resume.

For instance, I have experience and training with AS9100 and ISO13485. If a job asks for ISO 9001, some of the AS9100 references become 9001 and some of the 13485 references get removed. Electronics specific items get shortened for non-electronics jobs and more emphasis is placed on my experience with metals, plastics, and other non-electronics items.

My strengths include root cause investigations, internal and supplier audits, and process improvement and documentation.

 

[Ed Panek]

Check the “latest press releases “ for the company you’re looking at. It might be helpful to note in a cover letter how your skills tie into whatever that big news is about.

Some smaller companies work on only 1-2 big projects at a time. If you can come onboard familiar with the work they’ve been working on the last few years that could give an edge to you.