Though artificial intelligence (AI) and applicant tracking systems (ATSs) are smarter than they ever have been, strategy remains a key to success. However effective a resume may be, all that matters is getting that information in front of the human recruiter who can actually move a candidate forward. Designing an AI-proof resume is essential, and identifying the right tools is needed to do so.
The Spread of AI Hiring Tools
According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 88% of companies are already using some form of AI for candidate hiring. While these tools are typically applied for the initial candidate screening, these systems can filter out even highly-qualified candidates if their profiles don’t meet the AI system’s particular criteria. Companies are still adapting to these shortcomings, but the efficiency promised by AI is sure to continue posing issues for candidates in 2025.
Adapting to AI Hiring Practices
Pinning down exactly what an AI tool is looking for in a resume can certainly be difficult, especially because the criteria can vary by company. That said, there are a few effective approaches that may be applied, as well as a number of myths to avoid entirely.
“Early challenges included the vast variation between ATS parsers, myths and misinformation about resume formatting, and user anxiety about AI rejection,” Volen Vulkov said of designing his resume-building platform and career tools provider, Enhancv. “[We] saw how many qualified candidates were being rejected… Enhancv aimed to demystify the process and give job seekers tools to adapt.”
Myths About Resume Formatting for AI
While these myths may have held some truth as AI and ATS systems have proliferated and improved, they are largely untrue today. Formatting concerns, such as different colors, fonts, and icons, are outdated; a modern ATS system can easily handle these variations. Modern AI tools can even format resumes for the user, dispelling this myth. That said, a user should avoid relying on an AI-generated resume.
Three Methods for Getting a Resume Past AI
It is almost impossible to avoid AI resume screening today, but there are proven methods for getting a resume in front of a human recruiter. Perhaps most importantly are target keywords, the words and phrases an AI or ATS looks for when analyzing an application. By identifying resume keywords related to the job description and applying them in context, an applicant can find an advantage.
While formatting is not a concern, structure and readability are. By using standard resume headings, maintaining consistent structure and formatting throughout, and using spelling or grammar checkers to ensure that content is written correctly, applicants tend to stand out to AI. Lastly, an applicant must use an AI-safe, ATS-friendly resume file format. When it comes to ATS, there are two options, .pdf and .docx; other formats could sabotage an application.
Using a Resume Builder
Fortunately, applicants have a range of resume builder options that can help them get past ATS. Tools like Enhancv’s resume checker even enable users to pre-test ATS compatibility, helping to ensure that a resume has a better chance of getting in front of a human recruiter. So long as an applicant avoids misconceptions and abides by proven methods, it is possible to overcome AI and ATS tools.