How To Know If A Resume Is AI Generated
You’re scanning through a stack of resumes, and something feels. . . off. Maybe it’s too polished. Maybe it’s missing personality. Or maybe it’s just giving you that weird feeling like a robot might’ve written it. AI-generated resumes are becoming more common now, and while some are totally fine, others are, well, just bad. So how do you spot one?
It’s all about the tone
One of the biggest giveaways is tone. A resume written by AI often sounds overly formal or strangely generic. You might see phrases like "demonstrated proficiency in" or "leveraged methodologies" sprinkled everywhere. It’s like the AI tried to sound smart but ended up using words no one actually says at work. Real resumes have a human touch. They usually sound a bit more straightforward, like "helped design a new process" or "worked with a team to improve efficiency. " If it feels like the person is trying too hard to impress with big words, there’s a chance it came from an algorithm.
The formatting might be too perfect
This one’s subtle but worth mentioning. AI resumes often use highly polished templates. The layouts are symmetrical, the sections are perfectly aligned, and it looks like it came straight out of a catalog. Now, some people just love good design, but when the formatting is flawless to the point of being sterile, start asking questions. Human-made resumes usually have a quirk or two, whether it’s inconsistent spacing or a slightly funky alignment. It’s not bad, it’s just real.
Watch for repetitive phrasing
AI tools sometimes get stuck in a loop with phrasing. They might repeat certain structures over and over, like "responsible for" or "developed strategies to. " Sure, repetition happens in human resumes too, but AI tends to stick to the same formula for every bullet point. It can almost feel like the resume is on autopilot. Look for variety in word choice and sentence structure, those are signs of a human touch.
How much personality is in there?
This one’s tricky because not everyone writes resumes with personality. Some people stick to the basics, and that’s fine. But AI resumes often lack any hint of individuality. There’s no sense of who the person really is, what drives them, or what makes them unique. Everything feels flat. A good resume, even a simple one, has a little flavor. Maybe someone mentions a side project they’re proud of or adds a quick note about their favorite volunteer work. AI doesn’t add those personal touches unless the user prompts it directly.
What can you do?
If you suspect a resume is AI-generated but you don’t want to dismiss it outright, ask for a cover letter or follow-up questions that require more personality. AI can spit out decent resumes, sure, but it’s less capable of writing genuinely thoughtful cover letters or answering specific questions about the job. Those extra steps will help you see how much of the application is really coming from the person versus a machine.
And don’t forget: AI-generated doesn’t always mean bad. Some people use these tools because they struggle with writing, and the AI helps them organize their experience better. What matters most is whether the resume shows the skills, experience, and potential you’re looking for. If it does, who cares where it came from?
So keep an eye out, but don’t overthink it. The real test is in the interview anyway.