My husband is hiring right now, and the other night at dinner, I listened to what can only be described as a bit of a rant.
He explained how he had been reading resumes flagged for further review.
At first glance, several candidates looked exceptionally well aligned, which got him very excited. These resumes included the right keywords and used the right language and terminology. The resumes appeared to address the role’s needs directly.
But the closer he looked…the faster these ‘perfect resumes’ started to fall apart.
How was someone working in a completely unrelated industry performing highly specialized manufacturing work? How did responsibilities from vastly different sectors suddenly mirror the exact language used in the job posting?
The deeper he dug, the more confused he became.
What he ultimately discovered was disappointing but not entirely surprising. Several candidates appeared to have copied large portions of the job posting directly into their resumes, or perhaps used AI to do so, creating the illusion of alignment without the experience to back it up.
The result?
Immediate rejection.
And frustration.
As he vented, I found myself nodding because I hear variations of this story all the time.
Job seekers are frustrated because they feel pressured to create perfectly aligned resumes simply to get noticed. Or, they are letting AI create the files without thinking through the consequences.
Employers are frustrated because they are drowning in applications that appear relevant on the surface but quickly fall apart under scrutiny.
Recent research from Robert Half found that 64% of hiring managers believe AI-enhanced resumes make it harder to verify candidates’ skills. At the same time, Jobvite’s latest Job Seeker Nation report points to a growing trust problem throughout the hiring process, with candidates increasingly questioning hiring practices, communication, and transparency.
What strikes me is that the trust problem doesn’t sit on just one side of the hiring table.
Candidates are losing confidence in the process and often feeling desperate, and employers are spending more time trying to determine whether applications accurately reflect a candidate’s experience.
Everyone seems to be investing more effort while feeling less certain about the outcome.
To me, the solution is not about abandoning technology or giving up on the process, but acting responsibly.
For job seekers, authenticity and alignment matter — a lot! The strongest resumes connect real experience to real business needs, tell a truthful story, and stand up to deeper scrutiny when a hiring manager decides to take a closer look. Don’t try to cheat the system, it won’t work.
For employers, there is also an opportunity to build trust by setting realistic requirements, communicating promptly, and leaning on hiring processes that prioritize genuine capability over perfect keyword matches.
Trust is built when both sides show up honestly.
Looking to build a stronger, authentic resume?
Grab these free guides:
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.