How to build a resume for the AI hiring era, according to experts

"I've actually seen myself as a hiring manager, an application came in from a candidate who had put a bunch of text in all white at the bottom of the resume, but the system actually highlighted it. And so it was very clear that this was not actually relevant to their skills or experience. I would say that if you're using that to put information that is not actually applicable to your skills and experience, that's gonna be really hard to explain to an employer."

"Think about the fact that you are creating your resume for two different audiences, right? You're creating it for an algorithm and you're also creating it for a human. This dual-audience approach requires balancing algorithmic optimization with authentic representation of qualifications and experience."

As AI-powered hiring systems become standard, job seekers increasingly attempt to optimize resumes through techniques like keyword stuffing and hidden text. However, representatives from major job search platforms—Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Greenhouse—confirm these tactics fail. While keyword stuffing might pass initial AI screening, human reviewers quickly identify irrelevant content, damaging candidacy. Hiring managers report seeing applications with white-font text that systems flag as suspicious. Experts emphasize that resumes must serve dual purposes: satisfying both algorithmic filters and human reviewers. The most effective approach combines relevant keywords naturally with authentic information about genuine skills and experience, prioritizing human connection over algorithmic manipulation.

Read at The Verge