Use AI as a tool for resume writing, but don't use it to write your resume. Image: kung_tom/Shutterstock.com
By: Nancy SegalEveryone is buzzing about the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT, Bard, and the rest. The goal is that AI will make our lives easier—across multiple fronts. Given the press around AI, I am constantly being asked by people if they can use ChatGPT, etc., to actually write their resumes.
The short answer is, “no;” no AI can totally prepare a customized resume for you (sorry). The level of customization, including ensuring that you have used metrics appropriately and included significant accomplishments to demonstrate your value, cannot be replicated by AI. Additionally, sometimes AI content has been plagiarized from content on the internet—you don’t want your integrity questioned. It should also be noted that some employers are getting more savvy about recognizing AI-generated documents. And, we all know that AI isn’t always correct.
The more subtle answer is, “it can help.” Here are some ways that using AI can be helpful:
· AI can be a great starting point for thinking about what you want to convey.
· AI can help you identify key words in a job posting.
· AI can help ensure that your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax is correct.
· If you’re having trouble figuring out how to say something, AI can help.
· AI can definitely save research time.
As useful as AI can be to getting started on crafting your resume and finding key words, do not consider the generated product to be final. You’ll need to carefully review what AI prepares for accuracy. You’ll also need to tweak the product to make it your own; you will need to change up the language to ensure that you won’t be accused of plagiarism. You’ll also need to include your personal accomplishments and numbers so that your resume tells YOUR story.
You should also check to ensure that AI is not using outdated concepts such as including an Objective on your resume or References. Finally, if you are putting together a federal resume, remember the requirements in terms of length, level of detail, and required information are not the same as a private sector one. There are many more private sector resumes on the internet for AI to troll than there are federal ones. And a private sector resume will not work for federal applications.
I recommend caution when using AI for resume writing; it can be a tool—but that is all it is.
Nancy H. Segal is a federal job search expert. Following her own senior-level federal HR career, she founded Solutions for the Workplace LLC to provide a HR management perspective to astute applicants to U.S. government positions.
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