AI-Generated Resumes: Are They Helping or Hurting Your Job Search?

The recruitment industry is undergoing a major shift as AI becomes a standard tool for both job seekers and employers. While AI can streamline the application process, recruiters warn it's making hiring 'incredibly difficult'.

Brodie Shane, an IT professional, uses AI to tailor his CV for each job listing. He keeps a 'master document' of his experience and lets AI pull from it to create customized applications. 'I'm very specific with the prompt so it doesn't make up any of my experience,' he says. He's not worried about blending in, noting that many employers already use AI to filter applicants.

However, David George, senior managing director of recruitment agency Michael Page, says the widespread use of AI is causing all CVs to 'look the same.' He emphasizes that 'trying to work out what a good CV is versus a bad CV is almost irrelevant now.' Instead, the focus shifts to humanistic skills and the interview process where job seekers must sell themselves.

Michael Page's 2026 Talent Trends report found 67% of job seekers use AI to tighten language, tailor CVs, and summarize skills.

AI Should Be Paired with 'Personal Touch'

George advises job hunters to use AI but warns against losing individuality. 'AI cannot pull together what you actually achieved in a job; that's got to come from you. You should absolutely be using AI to polish your CV, but you've got to add the personal touch.'

Employers May Be Missing Good Applicants

Meqa Smith, a recruitment consultant, advises clients to be more intentional with job descriptions and application guidelines. Including a video question can help filter out less serious candidates. 'If we create a process that helps filter out the wrong people and get the right people to opt in, we can then buy ourselves time to interact and engage with people.'

George warns that employers overusing AI in hiring may miss top talent. 'If employers use chatbots or AI at a very early stage, you're putting people off. The experience for the potential future superstar might be so poor they never join your business.'

Using Less AI 'Not an Option'

Professor Gianluca Demartini from the University of Queensland says recruitment has become a game between applicants and employers, both using AI for efficiency. He warns that AI can make mistakes, including biased selections based on race or gender. 'On the applicant side, we lose unique flavor and personality. The bigger risk is employers implicitly discriminating against minorities.'

Despite risks, Demartini believes AI use will not decline. 'It improves efficiency, but we need to be skeptical. It's essential that the human using AI is in charge and takes responsibility for decisions made or recommended by AI.'