RIP Resume: AI Is Writing A New Hiring Playbook
The days of spending hours tweaking your resume and tailoring it for every job may soon be over. Thanks to the rapid rise of AI tools, the hiring process is evolving at a breakneck pace, and a new player is taking the stage.
AI is already making waves across industries, and hiring is no exception. Job seekers are utilizing tools like ChatGPT. This has led to a surge in AI-generated job materials, with many candidates now submitting applications in bulk, often without much personal effort. A recent report showed that 37% of job seekers in the UK use AI for applications, with that number jumping to 60% among early-career candidates.
Employers are now grappling with a flood of applications, most of which look eerily similar. This leaves them questioning whether candidates are authentic or simply riding the wave of automation.
Some hiring managers, like Roei Samuel, founder of Connectd, have noticed odd behaviors during interviews, such as candidates providing perfect answers after shifting their gaze. This growing trust gap between job seekers and employers is forcing companies to rethink how they evaluate potential employees.
The Rise of AI Skill Cards
AI-driven Skill Cards are a game-changing alternative to traditional resumes. Instead of relying on a static document that job seekers update occasionally, Skill Cards are real-time profiles that track your skills, projects, and career progress automatically.
These digital profiles pull data from learning platforms, performance reviews, and even project management tools to continuously update your abilities and achievements.
AI-powered Skill Cards would allow employers to swipe through candidates’ skills and accomplishments with just a tap. Instead of reading through pages of text, they can instantly access a real-time view of a candidate’s abilities, certifications, and past work. It’s like replacing a 10-minute elevator pitch with an entire career summary at the touch of a button.
How Employers Are Adapting
Image via iStockphoto/Anchiy
With AI becoming a mainstream tool for applicants, employers are adapting their hiring processes. Many are leaning into skill-based hiring, focusing on structured questionnaires, coding challenges, and live interviews to evaluate how someone truly thinks and performs. These methods offer a more reliable view of a candidate’s abilities than just a polished resume.
Some companies, like Semrush, are now focusing on soft skills and experience during interviews. Real-time tasks and scenario-based exercises have become the norm.
Moving Beyond Resumes
Resumes, as we know them, are quickly becoming obsolete. Companies are moving away from outdated application materials like CVs and cover letters in favor of more dynamic and interactive formats. In fact, 77% of UK employers now use skills tests, and many tech companies are leading the charge toward skill-based evaluations.
This focus on skills, rather than the polished words on a page, is helping companies hire talent based on real-world experience. While AI-driven Skill Cards may soon replace resumes, the human element remains a core part of the process. Employers are still looking for candidates who demonstrate growth through adaptability and critical thinking. No AI tool can fake these.