5 Ways to Spot an AI-written Resume

A recent trend is the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for writing resumes.

Besides spell checking and formatting, AI tools like Chat GPT can generate complete resumes too.

This enables applicants to craft polished, keyword-optimized resumes quickly and efficiently.

However, although AI-written resumes may look perfect, they may not fully (or honestly) reflect the applicant’s actual capabilities.

This can lead to instances where your supposed “senior-level” virtual assistant can’t do basic administrative tasks.

Thus, knowing how to spot an AI-written resume can help you maintain the integrity of your hiring process and selecting the right candidates.

Here are some AI-written resume indicators to watch out for.

Why Applicants Do It

Before discussing how to spot an AI-written resume, it’s important to understand why applicants use AI this way.

The most common are:

• A lengthy application process: 
  • Some companies have such lengthy hiring processes and require a lot of paperwork like: “Submit a cover letter and answer 100 questions,” so applicants use AI to speed things up.

• Simultaneous applications at different companies: 
  • Some applicants believe that applying to multiple companies is the best way to maximize their chances of landing a job.
  • Thus, instead of crafting a personalized application for each, they use a one-size-fits-all application via AI.
• The increased use of AI by employers themselves:
  • Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help speed up their recruitment process.
  • These AI-powered systems scan resumes and pick those containing specific keywords that match the job description.
  • Because of this, some applicants game the system by having AI write and craft a resume that will get the ATS’s attention.

How to Spot an AI-Written Resume

So, how do you determine whether an applicant’s resume is AI-written? Here are some common signs to look out for:

Overly-Generic Language

A common sign that a resume is completely AI-written is it clearly lacks personality and a unique voice. In addition, you’ll notice a distinct lack of personal pronouns too.

This is because AI writing is optimized for efficiency and coherence rather than creativity. 

Thus, while AI-written resumes are (for the most part) grammatically correct, they often sound monotonous and read like a collection of buzzwords.

For example, AI-written resumes often repeat phrases like “results-driven professional” and “strong work ethic” all throughout.

When reading a resume, look for a consistent tone and verify references on your job posting and company, as this shows they’ve done their research.

Logical Inconsistencies

Even though AI is capable of writing short paragraphs, it struggles with staying coherent when generating longer content. 

Check your applicant’s skills and work experience section.

If the skills listed don’t add up alongside their work history, it’s a clear sign their resume is AI-generated.

Overuse of Optimized Keywords

Another way to spot an AI-written resume is to count the number of times industry-specific keywords appear on it.

This happens because applicants want to optimize their resumes to appear in a company’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

While this may help a resume pass an ATS, it will sound forced and disjointed, especially if it lacks substantive examples or context.

Therefore, carefully assess whether these keywords are integrated naturally within the content.

Unusual Formatting

AI tools can sometimes generate resumes with odd spacing or strange structures to better meet ASTs than human readers.

So if you encounter a resume with too much bold text in the wrong places or inconsistent bullet point spacing, it could be a sign it’s AI-generated.

Inconsistent Tone and Overly Complex Sentences

AI tools like Chat GPT tend to generate verbose sentences or use unusual language.

Although they’re grammatically correct, they often feel out of place or don’t fit the sentence’s context.

In other instances, the AI tool might mix formal and informal language, making them sound unnatural.

Are You A Robot?

As recruitment relies increasingly on AI, businesses must remain vigilant towards applicants who abuse it.

By keeping an eye on the points above, you’ll have an easier time differentiating human-made vs. AI-written resumes.

Or, you can also skip the hassle of finding qualified candidates yourself by partnering with a trusted outsourcing company, like Remote Staff. Click here to see our full list of candidates.

We have candidates for virtual assistants, admin assistants, and many more. Good luck!