How to Make Your Resume Stand Out to AI

The US job market had a tough 2025, but things are looking up in 2026. Fewer people are applying for unemployment benefits. In the week ending June 20, 12,000 fewer people applied, with 215,000 new applications. This is lower than expected. The news is positive.

Even with good news, 7.3 million people are still looking for work. Many start by updating their resume and cover letter, and use AI to help.

Employers also use AI to screen resumes. So, what does AI look for in a resume and cover letter? We spoke with Professor Shaun Pichler to learn more about the modern job search. He is a professor at California State University, Fullerton. Pichler is also an editor of a psychology journal and a human resource management journal.

Pichler says AI screening depends on the job and employer. It is more common for entry-level jobs and large companies with many applications. Not all companies use AI to screen resumes. Some recruiters review applications from referrals without using AI.

It is interesting to consider how AI views resumes. AI may prefer resumes made by AI. There is some research on this, but not enough to draw conclusions.

There is little evidence that paying for help to optimize a resume for AI is useful. Instead, job candidates can use AI tools like ChatGPT to help with their resumes.

To make a resume stand out, it should mirror the job posting, highlight important keywords, and focus on relevant experience. AI can help with this, as long as the applicant provides enough information.

The topic is about AI, social good, and work.

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