Here’s a Free Startup Template You Can Download and Customize
If job hunting sounds more difficult than usual, you don’t think so. With the US job market showing signs of slowing down, artificial intelligence is playing a big role in how employers are managing one of the most competitive hiring environments in years.
Many companies now use applicant tracking systems, or ATS, alongside AI-powered screening tools to quickly screen resumes — often before a recruiter gets involved. According to a report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 51% of organizations said they used AI to hire employees by 2025.
At the same time, job seekers are turning to generative AI tools to help them write or edit their applications – putting AI on both sides of the hiring process.
The change has left many people wondering if they need to re-introduce their startups to machines rather than people – or a little bit of both. But the good news is that the basics are still very important. A clear, well-structured resume that highlights relevant skills and achievements can do well with automated assessment tools and still appeal to human recruiters. Career experts say the best way to make your resume AI-friendly is to keep it simple, to the point and easy to read – no gimmicks required.
Below, experts break down how to craft a resume that works for both AI and humans, as well as a free template that meets those standards.
1. Keep the format clean and easy to read
A simple, linear structure is the foundation of any effective resume. Complex design elements, such as tables, infographics or headshots, it can confuse both AI talent assessment tools and human recruiters, slowing down the review process.
“A clean, simple format that maximizes readability is essential when it comes to resumes,” says Keith Spencer, career specialist at FlexJobs. “When job seekers use complex design elements such as tables, text boxes or images, it can interfere with the system’s ability to properly analyze information and slow down or confuse an employer who is quickly scanning your CV.”
The file type is another important factor. Most application sites accept Word documents or PDFs, but text-based PDFs are better than image-based files, which can cause problems with automated scanning. “Candidates should always check the application site for guidance, but usually a Word or PDF document is acceptable,” notes Spencer.
Font style and page length are important. Standard fonts such as Calibri, Arial or Times New Roman are easily readable in ATS systems. But use your best judgment and avoid anything difficult to read. When in doubt, prioritize readability over style.
Finally, a one-page resume is no longer a strict rule – but brevity is still key. “Just because multiple pages are allowed doesn’t mean they’re necessary. Job seekers should aim to be concise and include information directly related to each role,” Spencer said.
2. Add a target article
The top of your resume is your main selling point, so it should immediately highlight what you do and what you’re good at. Instead of listing only your job title, consider adding a short title that includes your role and a few of your most relevant skills or areas of expertise.
“List other key skills and tools you work with, such as ‘Marketing Analyst, Google Analytics, SQL and CRO Strategy,'” says Lauren Mastroni, career expert and digital content writer at Resume Genius. “These keyword-rich articles are scanned by both recruiters and AI tools and speak quickly about your value.”
For roles that don’t rely on technical tools, the same approach applies. If you’re in sales, customer service, operations or people management, your topic should focus on what you do best – whether that’s managing accounts, developing processes or leading teams.
3. Use clear category labels
Clear category labels help AI tools accurately categorize your information and allow employers to quickly find what they’re looking for. Stick to general topics like “About Me,” “Areas of Expertise,” “Accomplishments,” “Experience” and “Education,” explains Sam DeMase, a career specialist at ZipRecruiter.
Although creative section headings may feel personal, they can make it difficult for automated screening tools to interpret your CV correctly. You want to avoid headings like “Career Highlights” (instead of “Experience”) and “My Story” (instead of “About Me”), which can cause important information to be overlooked.
4. Keep your job titles consistent
Job titles can vary greatly from company to company, and unusual or creative titles may not translate well outside of your organization. To ensure that your information is well understood – by both employers and AI tools – it’s important to use clear, standardized job titles.
“A job title should reflect the job. It should be specific, not broad,” DeMase said.
Aligning your titles with commonly used industry terms can make your CV easier to scan and more likely to match the language in job descriptions.
For example, gaming or internal titles may need to be modified:
- Growth Consultant → Growth Sales Manager
- Communications Manager → Communications Director, Corporate Affairs
- Team Leader → Engineering Manager
- Product Owner → Senior Product Manager
5. Organize your resume with each paragraph
Sending the same resume for every job can save you time, but it can hurt your chances. Both ATS software and AI tools are designed to look for specific skills, qualifications and language that is drawn directly from the job description.
“If the job description of the role is ‘project life cycle management’ and you write ‘oversee end-to-end project execution’ on your resume, the company’s evaluation software may be missed even though the descriptions are the same,” says Mastroni.
That doesn’t mean you need to copy and paste the entire job description into your resume. Instead, take a few minutes to identify important keywords and phrases in the job ad and make sure your resume reflects that same language, where it applies accurately to your experience.
6. Measure your impact
Listing tasks can show what you did, but not how well you did it. Employers want a clear picture of the impact of your work – which is especially true when AI tools and recruiters quickly scan resumes for evidence of results.
“Employers don’t just want to know what you did, they want to understand how you did it and what results you got,” said Spencer. “How have your actions supported customers, strengthened the team or helped the organization achieve an important goal? Whenever possible, pair these results with measurable results to clearly demonstrate the value you deliver.”
That means highlighting your skills and matching each with a clear, measurable example, whether that means revenue growth, partnership gains, efficiency improvements or other tangible results related to your role.
Don’t let the AI write
AI tools can be useful for job seekers, but relying too much on them can backfire. A resume full of jargon or robotic language can raise red flags for employers and can cause problems later in interviews, when candidates are asked to describe their experience in more detail.
Instead, experts recommend using AI as a support tool instead of replacing your voice.
“Job seekers should always customize their content to reflect their real experience, voice and results,” Spencer said. “That means examining every detail, determining the context you can provide and tailoring the language to the role. The goal is to use AI to enhance your resume, not replace it.”
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