As artificial intelligence continues to shape the hiring landscape, understanding how to optimize your resume and cover letter for AI screening is essential. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now a standard part of the recruitment process, used by organizations to efficiently identify qualified candidates. This blog post outlines best practices for leveraging AI tools to enhance your application materials, ensuring they are tailored to each job opportunity.
Resume
Once you find a position you want to apply for, copy and paste the job description into the text input box on your preferred AI platform. Provide details about your experience, and ask the chatbot to generate bullet points tailored to the job description. AI can then create an outline of your resume that is specific to the desired position.
AI can help ensure you include keywords relevant to the job description. It can also improve your writing and keep your descriptions concise. AI may also filter out experience and skills that don’t align with the job and expand on achievements that do.
Always proofread and edit your resume to ensure it sounds natural and professional, and is free of grammar and spelling errors. You may ask AI to refine your wording to sound more professional or appealing to an HR representative. However, it's also best to have someone you trust read through it to ensure that it accurately reflects you and your skills.
Getting Your Resume Past AI Screening
In today’s job market, your resume is likely to be scanned and filtered by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—AI-powered tools designed to help employers identify the most qualified candidates. It’s important to follow best practices when crafting your resume so it successfully passes through an ATS and reaches the hiring manager.
Use a clean, simple format.
Avoid graphics, tables, columns, or images, as they can confuse the AI and cause it to miss key information. Use clearly defined sections with standard titles such as “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
Leverage the job description.
Read it carefully, pulling out keywords and phrases that align with your experience. This ensures your resume contains language that AI will flag as relevant. If your resume includes acronyms, write out the full phrase followed by the acronym in parentheses (e.g., “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)”).
Place key information at the top.
ATS typically scans resumes from top to bottom. Include a professional summary (3–4 sentences—think of it as your elevator pitch) followed by a bullet list of key skills. This is a great place to incorporate keywords from the job description.
Highlight measurable achievements and tools.
ATS systems look for specific skills and accomplishments—not just job titles. Mention the platforms, tools, and methods you've used and describe the results. Start each job entry with your most relevant achievements and responsibilities.
Proofread thoroughly.
AI can get confused by typos, inconsistent formatting, or awkward phrasing. Review your resume carefully, and have someone else review it to ensure everything is accurate and clear.
Cover Letter
Cover letters are a great way to connect with the employer and showcase your written communication skills. Don't underestimate the value of including a cover letter—it could be the element that sets you apart from other candidates. AI can help you write and refine your cover letter, making the process less intimidating and more strategic.
Start by writing a draft yourself so you can identify the hard and soft skills you'd like to highlight. Then, input your draft and the job description into your AI tool and ask it to tailor your letter accordingly. Be sure to proofread the final version to ensure it truly reflects your voice and experience.
You can also ask AI for help with:
- Crafting strong opening and closing sentences
- Expressing enthusiasm for the position
- Requesting an interview professionally
- Summarizing your experience while tying it to the job description
- Keeping your letter within the ideal length (250–400 words)
Just like with your resume, you can ask AI to make your cover letter sound more professional or customized for a hiring manager. Again, have a real person review it before you submit it.
While AI can be a powerful asset in your job search, remember that it's your unique experiences, accomplishments, and perspective that truly set you apart. By pairing innovative AI strategies with a personalized, well-crafted resume and cover letter, you'll be well-positioned to stand out—both to the system and to the people behind it.
Check out this related article featuring takeaways from MCOR's Impact Breakfast about AI in the workplace: Introduction to AI in the Workplace