Hello hello Wonderers!

Due to a bad flu, the other day I found myself at home for a couple of days and I attempted the impossible task of decluttering the stash of interesting articles that I often find online and save to read later, but then often end up forgotten.

Surprise, surprise, I stumbled upon a real nugget by Laura Michelle Davis titled “The New Age of Hiring: AI Is Changing the Game for Job Seekers.” Brace yourselves; it’s not your typical bedtime story: it’s an article that discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job application and recruitment process. You can read it here.  📰

There’s no need to say that nowadays, just opening LinkedIn results in being bombarded with articles and posts talking about how Artificial Intelligence is increasingly taking hold in the field of recruiting: more and more companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), or resume robots, that use predictive analytics, machine learning, and algorithms to filter through job applicants, sort through candidates, evaluate their skills and estimate their performance. While for sure this can definitely be a game changer for companies, this AI takeover brings its fair share of challenges for employees and job seekers.

Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of AI. The fact that I might be rejected by a robot before I am connected with an actual human in human resources makes me a bit uncomfortable. This is why I was very struck by a part of that article in which, after listing all the issues that the job seekers now need to face while applying to a job, the author pointed out that the whole process “is still a human game”. Okay, but how? 

I have read tons of articles online on how to make your resume or CV more AI-friendly, and we’ll get there soon, but I think the real element of disruption here is: let your uniqueness and real self shine. A cover letter and a CV can be much more than a mere list of skills and experiences: they can showcase your authenticity and enthusiasm, and they should highlight why you, and not someone with your same skills, is the perfect candidate for that position. Your personality, your story, your passion for the job… they should all be evident from all the documents you’re submitting with your application. They will be a game changer when an actual human will get to read it. While AI might do the initial screening, it’s the human touch that seals the deal!

At the same time, however, we have to take into account that initial screening. So here I am with a few suggestions I collected on how to ensure you actually get to the point where a person is reading your application.

✂️ Customize with Care: Tailoring your resume and cover letter to the job description is crucial. Yes, it’s tempting to send the same application everywhere, but taking the time to sprinkle in keywords from the job posting can really make a difference.

💡 Highlight Your Skills: AI loves specifics. Make sure your resume clearly showcases your skills and experiences that directly relate to the job. Use bullet points to list your skills and achievements, making them easy for the AI to spot.

🌀 Format for Friendliness: Keep it clean and tidy! Use standard fonts and formats that are easily readable by both humans and machines. Fancy designs might look cool, but they can confuse the AI, and you don’t want that!

✏️ Master the Keywords: Familiarize yourself with industry-specific buzzwords and incorporate them naturally into your resume. If the job requires skills in “data analysis,” don’t forget to mention your proficiency in it. Just be honest – AI can sniff out deceit like a bloodhound.

🌟 Quality over Quantity: Applying for a hundred jobs might seem like a good idea, but quality beats quantity. Focus on the roles that truly align with your skills and experiences. This way, you can invest more time in tailoring your application for each position.

Once all of the above are done, just focus on making sure that your essence shines from your resume. Don’t let the AI gatekeeper stress you out too much. Remember, at the core of it all, it’s your unique human essence that seals the deal. You’ve got stories, experiences, and a personality that can’t be scanned or filtered. AI won’t stop you. And that’s your winning card in this human game of job hunting!

Let me know how it goes! I’ll be catching up with you in Working Wonders, Issue #12 in a couple of weeks! 🚀

Emma