Jobs applications: Too many to count. 

Resume tweaks: You’ve lost track. 

Cover letters: You might as well be writing to Santa.  

If you have a sinking feeling that your job applications are being sent to a black hole, you’re not imagining things. These days, many resumes never make it in front of human eyes. Why? Because AI’s sending them to the bottom of the stack.  

With hundreds of thousands of applicants applying to some job openings, companies are turning to AI to screen applicants. Nearly half of all hiring managers report using AI to review resumes.  

How to Adapt Your Resume for AI Scanners 

How can you get your resume past the bots and into the hands of someone who can say, “You’re hired”? Let’s break it down.  

1. Keep It Simple 

When it comes to your resume, boring is better. AI can’t read visuals, so skip the headshot, graphics, and creative template you found on Canva. (You still have permission to go all out on your cover letter.) 

 

Always follow the formatting instructions in the job posting. If they ask for a PDF, give them a PDF. If they want a .docx, send a .docx.  

 
Shameless plug: UT Permian Basin students and alumni have access to a suite of free resources through Career Services, including resume builder SkillsFirst. 

2. Use the Right Keywords 

AI scanners search for keywords: words and phrases that describe the ideal candidate. Your goal is to give these AI models what they’re looking for. In your resume, include the skills, training, and experiences you (truthfully!) possess that match the job description. 

Let’s say you’re applying for a management position. Your resume should mention things like: 

  • Project management 
  • Conflict resolution 
  • Problem-solving 


Not sure which keywords to include? Upload your resume to an AI chatbot like ChatGPT and ask it to suggest missing keywords or tailor your resume to the job posting. If AI is the gatekeeper, you might as well use it to your advantage. 

3. Focus on Hard Skills 

What skills should you put on your resume? Soft skills are nice, but hiring managers are instructing AI models to look for receipts. So, focus on hard skills: concrete evidence that you qualify for and can excel in the role. 

For example: 

  • Have experience with SWOT analysis? List it.  
  • Know a programming language like Python or Java? Namedrop it.  
  • Make decisions using Google Analytics? Put it in bold.   

Quantify what you’ve accomplished in your current role. If you brought in $100,000 in revenue this year, include that in your professional history under your current role.  

4. Keep It Human-Friendly 

Your resume needs to be both bot- and human-friendly. Use clear, concise language. Work keywords in naturally; don’t stuff them in. Include a brief summary at the top—just two to three lines explaining to hiring managers why their search is over. 

5. Keep It to One Page (For Now) 

Your resume should fit on one page, especially if you’re applying to entry-level jobs. If it’s too long, hiring managers might not read it.  

Later in your career, your resume might grow to two or three pages. But until then, less is more. 

6. Fill the Gaps 

The job market is not kind to “average.” Applicants, it seems, must be extraordinary—superhuman, even. A perfectly polished resume can go unnoticed if it’s missing something.  

That “something” is often a credential.  

A bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum for many jobs. A master’s degree is even better. These prestigious credentials show how skilled and serious a candidate is. Think about it: If you were a hiring manager, would you pick the candidate with or without years of education?  

What’s Your Resume Missing? 

Maybe your resume is *chef’s kiss* perfect. But most of us could use a little something extra.  

UT Permian Basin offers over 40 online college programs that can help you fill the gaps in your resume. Keep working while earning your degree online. Or, if the job hunt’s a bust, consider pivoting and pursue a credential that will help you get past AI scanners, impress hiring managers, and land your dream job.  

Not sure where to start? We put together a handy quiz that can point you in the right direction. 

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone 

UT Permian Basin is here to help you move forward, whether you’re updating your resume, switching careers, or starting fresh. Check out our online programs, and when you’re ready, apply to UTPB. Your resume will thank you.   

Sources: 
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-ai
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2024/11/25/how-to-get-your-rsum-past-artificial-intelligence-ai-screening