Christian Career Coach: Keeping the Human Touch in Your Resume and Cover Letter While Using AI

The power of tools like ChatGPT to craft a compelling resume and cover letter is a game changer. Gone are the days of taking weeks or months to figure out the best way to sell your skills and experience. So, should you use artificial intelligence (AI) to help you out?

I’ve had this question come up in my client calls and group sessions, so I decided to write a blog to share my opinion about AI-generated resumes and cover letters. AI is a tremendous time-saver, providing inspiration to help you craft a compelling resume and cover letter that catch the eye of recruiters.

In today's digital age, AI has become an invaluable tool in job searching. From generating resume content to crafting personalized cover letters, AI can significantly streamline the application process. However, with the increasing reliance on AI, it’s essential to ensure that your resume and cover letter still convey a genuine human touch. Here’s how to strike the perfect balance between leveraging AI and maintaining authenticity in your resume and cover letter.

Use AI for Structure, Not Substance

AI tools can help you organize information, ensure proper formatting, and even suggest relevant keywords. However, when it comes to the substance of your documents—your experiences, achievements, and personal story—make sure these are authentically yours. Use AI to help frame your content, but always add your personal touch to make it unique and reflective of your personality.

Tip: Start with an AI-generated template, then customize it with your own voice and experiences. Ensure the final product reflects your individuality and personal achievements.

Infuse Personal Stories and Anecdotes

While AI can help outline your job responsibilities and accomplishments, it may lack the ability to weave in personal stories and anecdotes that make your application memorable. Hiring managers want to see the person behind the resume, so include specific examples and stories in your cover letter that highlight your skills and character.

Tip: Add a brief story in your cover letter that illustrates a significant achievement or a learning moment. This not only humanizes your application but also demonstrates your unique qualifications and personal journey.

Maintain a Conversational Tone

AI-generated content can sometimes come off as too formal or robotic. To counter this, make sure your resume and cover letter have a conversational tone that reflects your personality. This makes your application more relatable and engaging to the reader.

Tip: Read your cover letter aloud to ensure it sounds natural. Make edits to any sections that feel stiff or overly formal, aiming for a tone that is professional yet approachable. I often instruct my clients to use a hook at the beginning of the cover letter to grab the reader’s attention.

Highlight Soft Skills and Personal Attributes

AI excels at identifying hard skills and quantifiable achievements, but it may not fully capture your soft skills and personal attributes. Make a conscious effort to highlight these aspects, as they are crucial in demonstrating how you fit within a company’s culture and team.

Tip: Include a section in your resume dedicated to soft skills or weave them into your experience and achievements. Use real-life examples to illustrate how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your previous roles.

Personalize Each Application

One of the risks of using AI is the temptation to send out generic applications. Personalization is key to standing out in a competitive job market. Tailor each resume and cover letter to the specific job and company, incorporating details that show you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the role.

Tip: Before sending out your application, add a few sentences about why you’re excited about the specific company and role. Mention any recent news or projects related to the company to show your enthusiasm and knowledge.

Proofread and Edit

AI tools are incredibly powerful, but they are not infallible. Always proofread and edit your documents to catch any errors or awkward phrasing that the AI might have missed. This final step ensures that your resume and cover letter are polished and professional.

Tip: Use a combination of spell-check tools and human review to ensure your documents are error-free. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review your application materials for an additional layer of feedback.

Conclusion

AI can be a game-changer in the job application process, offering efficiency and valuable insights. However, it’s crucial to maintain the human touch that sets you apart from other candidates. By using AI to assist with structure and keywords and then infusing your cover letter with personal stories, a conversational tone, and genuine enthusiasm, you can create compelling application materials that resonate with hiring managers.

Embrace the best of both worlds—leverage AI for its strengths while ensuring your unique voice and personality shine through. This balanced approach will help you land not just any job, but the right job that aligns with your career goals and values.

Visit our website, www.thepurposefulcareerpivot.com for more information on finding a fulfilling career you feel called too. Schedule a complementary consultation today!