If Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming all-pervasive, can job resumes be far behind? The answer is obvious. Ask Swati Nair, a mid-level manager in a luxury retail company. Despite a robust academic background and relevant internships, Nair was unable to land a job of her choice till a career counsellor identified the weak link — her resume.
Nair opted for an AI-based professional resume writing services, and finally grabbed the job she wanted. Like Nair, an increasing number of job seekers are turning to AI-based resume writing services to gain a competitive edge in the job market. Industry insiders say traditional text resumes are becoming outdated as jobseekers are utilising viral AI-powered chatbots for crafting cover letters, refining resumes, and preparing responses to expected interview questions.
A recent study indicates that 81% of India’s hiring managers expect text-based resumes to become obsolete in the next five years. Resumes, once the focal point of hiring, now play the role of an opening act for AI assessments. Rather than relying solely on human scrutiny, machine learning algorithms take the lead. A survey by visual communication platform Canva found while most jobseekers in India are satisfied with how their resume looks (62%), candidates may want to note that 7 in 10 hiring managers prefer more interactive resumes with visual elements like images and graphics (66%) and colours (61%).
Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, says, “AI is reshaping the recruitment landscape” by streamlining processes and enhancing decision-making for companies. The efficiency and customisation offered by AI tools have raised questions about the potential obsolescence of traditional resumes, he says.
About 84% of Indian hiring managers prefer candidates with digital portfolios. And India’s job seekers have been up to the task, using digital portfolios the most (52%) across all markets. Nearly 93% of Indian hiring managers believe it is acceptable for candidates to use generative AI to polish their resumes or application materials.
Highlighting the most sought-after AI tools that majority of job seekers are harping on, Job van der Voort, CEO & Co-founder at Remote, says while in a rapidly evolving job market, traditional resumes still hold value, but in the near future, AI will be the default method to match candidates with their ideal careers, utilising data-driven insights rather than relying solely on subjective self-presentation.
Canva commissioned Sago to survey 5,000 hiring managers and 5,000 job seekers from India, the US, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, and Brazil, to understand how screening candidates have evolved and why it’s crucial to embrace design to stand out in the crowd.
“Hiring managers in India too have shown openness in integrating generative AI to boost creativity, leading to improvement in the quality of talent discussions going forward,” says Amy Schultz, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Canva.
“Our research highlights how creativity and the use of Gen AI have notably lowered obstacles for jobseekers in shaping their professional brands, allowing them to stand out in the crowd and land their dream jobs”, Schultz says.
A Gurgaon-based senior HR manager sums it all up. “Job seekers appreciate the efficiency and precision that AI offers in aligning resumes with specific job requirements. As the job market becomes more competitive, the adoption of AI in resume writing reflects a strategic move by candidates to present their skills and experiences in the most compelling and tailored manner.”
Jobseekers increasingly use generative AI for their application materials. Nearly two-thirds (74%) of jobseekers in India admit they have used generative AI for their resumes. An overwhelming 82% believe it helps them simplify the resume-building process, save time (72%), and be more creative (72%). With its profound impact on their job search, 92% of job seekers are likely to use generative AI again to build or update their resume.
In fact, employers still need an efficient way to screen for the best fit. A well-crafted resume also can be a way to express a personal touch and highlight qualities that can’t be easily quantified, Voort says.
