Customizing a resume for each job you apply for is extremely important. Even if this is your first job or perhaps the first step in a new career, it’s critical to ensure the hiring manager sees your application as the most suitable one rather than a generic application that may or may not match the company.

The job description for the job and some research about the company should provide you with plenty of answers. However, when you apply to countless jobs, one after another, this can be time-consuming. Do it in a rush, and you can make mistakes, too.

Fortunately, it’s the age of technology. Can you use AI to optimize your resume based on a job description? Absolutely. How? Let’s find out!

How AI/Resume Optimization Tools Work?

The concept of AI offers in a unique direction when it comes to writing a resume. You can use a company like Resume Writing Lab to get it done professionally, then use AI to optimize it based on the jobs you apply to.

Using AI to develop a resume looks like a viable idea, but it’s actually terrible. No matter how hard they try, AI developers will never make a robot sound like a real person. Furthermore, all kinds of issues may arise, such as AI:

• Adding experience you don’t have.

• Adding skills that might be required but you don’t have.

• Failing to go into small details, such as mentioning your specific education.

• Failing to “guess” your workplace and tasks.

Now, how do these AI resume optimization tools work?

While quite a few software programs are out there, many share the same operating principles. Sure, there are slight differences here and there, but the concept is the same in most AI tools.

Upload Documents

You’ll usually have to upload both your resume and the job description.

First, copy the job description into a document and save it. Copy it as it is, with bullet points and subtitles. Do not include irrelevant information, such as the offered salary, unless it’s included in the description rather than separately. Save the document and upload it.

Second, get your resume and upload it as well. There’s no need to copy any particular things, yet it depends on your AI software and the specific formatting requirements. Usually, you can upload your resume as it is, but some platforms may require additional adjustments, such as keyword optimization, file type conversion, or section reformatting, to ensure proper parsing.

Start Generating

Apply the changes, and you’ll usually be able to download the new resume with updated information. The whole process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Again, it depends on what AI tool you use. Some of them take minutes, others are almost instant.

Focus on Your Skills & Capabilities

Apart from changing words and descriptions to match a new job application, your focus should be on what truly matters to an employer.

While most people include skills using common words, artificial intelligence will enhance the wording by using stronger words. Remember that words can make an impact. When using AI to optimize your resume, make sure to include as many skills as possible.

No matter how basic they seem, include them there and let AI do its job.

Although info on your education or courses will be limited because you can only add that much, your skillset is an open book that can make a difference.

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Tips to Remember Before Using AI for Your Resume

You need to know a few things before you use an AI tool to change your resume according to a job description.

Double Check the Result

Don’t just read it quickly at a glance; double-check everything. Artificial intelligence is sometimes difficult to understand, so the result may not always be accurate.

For example, you could see changes in your work experience or responsibilities in other jobs. AI has also altered skills or education in some cases, so it’s worth double-checking every small aspect. If it’s not real, it’ll most likely hurt your application.

Check for Missing Things

The purpose of using AI to optimize your resume is simple to understand, but at the same time, no robot can beat the human brain.

During the optimization, AI may remove some irrelevant parts of your resume. Some of them may appear to have nothing to do with the application. But sometimes, this alteration doesn’t really make sense.

For example, if you’re applying for a role in a marketing team, AI may believe your years as a volunteer for a cancer charity are irrelevant. At first glance, it makes perfect sense. But if you think about it, you could showcase your ability to work in a team, smash deadlines, and reach different goals.

If you underline this type of experience in your resume, it will also make sense for the position you're applying to.

Therefore, even if AI removes some elements, you’ll still have to check and make sure it’s all right to do so.

Insert the Right Keywords

Some keywords are particularly important when applying for a job. Sometimes, they can define your best skills and capabilities. Other times, it’s just a psychological matter. Practically, there are some strong words out there that shouldn’t be missed:

• Improved
• Reduced
• Delivered
• Coached
• Managed
• Led
• Achieved
• Developed

Obviously, these keywords must be relevant to the job description as well. Insert them here and there in your previous job experience, education, volunteering work, or skills.

Make It Human

No matter how good the final result is, more and more people can tell the difference between AI and human content these days. AI looks perfect, but at the same time, it uses plenty of words without actually saying anything.

Depending on what software you use, you may have to make small adjustments to “humanize” your resume.

In the end, using AI to tailor your resume to a job description is a great idea. It saves time and gives you some useful insights. The more jobs you apply to, the more time you’ll save. However, AI isn’t perfect, so you still need to double-check everything and maybe even make some adjustments.

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