Resume hacks: 5 tips to beat AI screening tools and get noticed

Just like a compass helps sailors find the right direction, keywords direct the AI's focus to your core skills.

Optimize your resume for AI screening by identifying relevant keywords. Carefully analyze the job description and industry trends to pinpoint the most sought-after keywords. 

These keywords often represent the required skills, qualifications, or specific job requirements. Once you have compiled a list of relevant keywords, strategically incorporate them throughout your resume.

While industry-specific jargon can showcase your expertise, striking a balance is essential. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can be counterproductive and raise red flags for an AI resume screening tool and human reviewers. Aim for a natural flow of content that integrates the keywords seamlessly. By aligning your resume with the language used in the job description, you increase the likelihood of passing the AI's initial screening.

JobTatkal Pro Tip: Place the keywords in sections that are most likely to be recognized, such as the professional summary, skills section, etc.

Formatting is crucial for artificial intelligence resume screening tools to understand your resume. Keep it clean, organized, and structured.

Avoid unconventional fonts, overly complex designs, charts, graphics, logos, or images – including a headshot of yourself – that might confuse the resume scanner AI.

As shown in the above resume, using a "fancy" font undermines the legibility of the details. Moreover, overlapping designs and multiple bar graphs add to the complexity, making it difficult for the parsing system to accurately decipher and extract the data.

• Use a simple, professional layout, preferably the reverse-chronological format.
• Clearly label each resume section with relevant headings, such as "Work Experience" or "Education"
• Include a short profile overview under the "Summary" section
• Select a professional and legible font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
• Use the same font for all sections, including headings, subheadings, and body text

The above image shows an ideal AI-friendly resume. It is segmented into distinct sections and uses a consistent font for visual uniformity. By avoiding graphics, the resume ensures clarity and prevents confusion. This design caters to the requirements of the AI screening tool while looking aesthetically pleasing for talent acquisition specialists.

JobTatkal Pro Tip: Avoid placing your contact information in the header or footer, as certain AI scanners cannot parse the information added in the header and footer.

Sheryl Sandberg once said —

Build your skills, not your resume.

However, to showcase your skills in the initial stages of your job search, you must exhibit them in the best possible way.

Start by leveraging powerful action verbs to describe your skills and experiences. Verbs like "led," "achieved," "implemented," or "optimized" can demonstrate your impact and abilities. 

Craft concise points that showcase quantifiable achievements or demonstrate the results of your efforts. Remember, your resume should tell a story of your accomplishments and how you can bring value to a prospective employer.

JobTatkal Pro Tip: Complement your hard skills with well-rounded soft skills that showcase your versatility and adaptability.

Your resume's file format can impact how AI systems parse and interpret its content. While different resume screening tools may have varying preferences, choosing a universally compatible file format such as Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Portable Document Format (.pdf) is generally recommended.

Additionally, give your resume file a meaningful name that includes your name and the position you're applying for. For instance, rename your resume as "FirstName_LastName_Position.pdf."

JobTatkal Pro Tip: Double-check the preferred format on the job application site before uploading your CV.

Meticulous proofreading is crucial before submitting your AI-friendly resume. Research shows that 59% of recruiters reject candidates due to poor grammar or spelling errors. To avoid this fate, carefully review and edit your resume for accuracy, grammar, punctuation, and overall professionalism.

Read each section multiple times, checking for any inconsistencies, typos, or awkward phrasing. Double-check dates, job titles, and contact details to avoid any discrepancies. Also, ensure that your online profiles, such as LinkedIn, align with the information provided in your resume.

JobTatkal Pro Tip: Display your LinkedIn profile as a plain text URL instead of a clickable hyperlink to ensure AI scanners can accurately interpret the information.