AI resume building: Tips to be careful when using artificial intelligence for a job search

NEW YORK (WABC) — Finding the right job can be the hardest work a job seeker can do and making matters worse, is the growing problem of applicants being fooled by artificial intelligence.

From phony recruiters to fake job sites, there’s good reason to be careful.

7 On Your Side has warned about job scam red flags, but now there are con jobs, and it starts with the offer to help with your resume.

It’s competitive out there in the job market, and you may want to get your resume in front of as many employers as possible. But push pause before doing two things: using AI to write for you and paying for a service which promises to distribute your resume to hiring managers for a fee.

Imposters exploiting generative AI will promise you volume, like getting your resume to thousands of recruiters.

Executive Coach Michelle Perchuk says people on the hunt in the job market should focus on quality, not quantity.

“A spray and pray approach to finding a job is not the right approach. Sending a resume to five thousand jobs and getting zero interviews is not an equation anyone should pay even one dollar for,” Perchuk said.

Some services can ask for a monthly subscription or pony up a one-time fee, but before clicking send, Perchuck says to ask questions.

“For example, who sees my resume? What companies are you sending my resume to? What levels of positions are you targeting?” she said.

Inquire about guaranteed outcomes, like the number of interviews or offers. Ask for results from other job applicants.

“Buying these services and not understanding how they work and who they send your resume to is really dangerous,” Perchuk said.

What’s included in the resume can also be dangerous.

“A lot of people put their phone number, their home address, their cell number and some people even put their social security number. When you put that information out there, these databanks of resumes can be sold to nefarious entities which could be printing credit cards without information,” Perchuk said.

She recommends name, email, contact number and your handle on LinkedIn only. When it comes to building your resume, Perchuk says never use AI to create a job description for yourself or write your resume for you.

Applicant tracking services which collect resumes have filters to detect the use of AI.

“Apparently, there is an invisible watermark on the content that AI writes,” Perchuk said.

Perchuk recommends using AI to help you brainstorm as a supplement, not a replacement, and get into the habit of rewriting content in your own words.

“Because when you are at the actual interview, if your hiring manager will ask about that thing on your resume, you are not going to be able to use your natural language to explain what you did. They’re going to know you used AI. You’re going to need to articulate your value as a job seeker,” Perchuk said.

Fake recruiters are also using AI to pose as HR reps on lookalike websites. Check the URL carefully and verify the job posting with the company. Real hiring managers will have the company name.com as their email and not be operating from a Gmail account.

“Job seekers are so desperate now; they are really prey to these scams,” Perchuk said.

You may be wondering what else is in it for the scammer. Perchuk says the goal goes beyond stealing your ID for financial gain. When they steal your resume, they can subcontract your job, cutting you and others out of the job market.

If they get a successful hire with your profile, it’s a treasure trove of documents like employment verification, payroll, and official contract letters. That could lead to fake visas or bank loans, all attached to your name.

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