CV TIPS - 5 common AI mistakes that are derailing your job search
Posted 10th June 2025 • Written by Dr. Serena Huang on fastcompany.com • • • • • •
Here are five of the most common AI-related job search mistakes I see, along with one bonus pitfall you may not realize you’re making.
Mistake 1: Relying on AI to Write Your Entire Résumé or Cover Letter
Yes, with a single ChatGPT prompt, you can have a résumé draft in 30 seconds. But if you stop there, you’re hurting your chances. Remember: AI-generated résumés read like they were written by a robot, because they were.
Solution: Use AI to improve rather than replace your writing process—for example, to check for grammar errors, suggest keywords, or guide you to quantify your impact further. But make sure to personalize the content with specific examples from your own career. Your résumé should reflect your unique journey, not just a collection of skills and accomplishments with AI-generated words in between.
Mistake 2: Using AI to Apply for Jobs on Your Behalf Without Customizing Your Application
Solution: Use AI to help identify relevant job openings, but take the time to customize your applications. Craft a personalized cover letter and tweak your résumé to reflect the most relevant skills and experiences for each job. Even a few tailored adjustments can make a huge difference in catching a hiring manager’s eye.
Mistake 3: Letting AI or Deepfakes Do the Interview for You
Some candidates are now using AI tools to generate real-time answers during live chat interviews and in extreme cases, deploying deepfakes to complete asynchronous video screenings.
Why it’s a problem: AI-driven interviews and deepfakes can make it easier for candidates to present themselves in an overly polished or dishonest way. While you might pass the screening, the real challenge comes once you’re on the job.
Solution: While it might be tempting to rely on AI to enhance your interview performance, remember that authenticity is now paramount. Use AI to prep, not perform. Practice interview questions, refine your examples, and improve how you tell your story using AI, but never fake it. The risk isn’t just not getting the job. It’s losing your reputation.
Mistake 4: Overinflating Your Experience with AI Polish
AI tools can help you highlight your accomplishments and frame your experiences more effectively, but there’s a danger in overinflating your role or contributions. While it’s tempting to use AI to embellish your résumé or cover letter, it’s important to remember that overstatement will be quickly exposed, not only in interviews, but also through informal back-channel checks.
Solution: Focus on being authentic and accurate when detailing your experience. Use AI to help articulate or reframe your achievements but ensure that everything you list is something you can back up with real examples. Honesty and transparency go a long way in establishing trust with hiring managers.
Mistake 5: Underestimating the Power (and Liability) of Your Digital Presence
AI tools may help you land interviews, but they can also scan your LinkedIn profile or social media accounts as part of the screening process. It’s not enough to just have a résumé. Your online presence is increasingly scrutinized by employers.
Solution: Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, fully aligned with your résumé, and clearly highlights your relevant skills and accomplishments. Create a compelling headline and summary that clearly state what you do and what you’re looking for.
Remember, your LinkedIn is an extension of your résumé and should reflect your personal brand authentically.
Bonus Mistake: Ignoring the Human Side of the Job Search
You should use AI to help you research target companies, suggest outreach messages on LinkedIn, or prep for networking calls and coffee chats. Then, go out there and attend events. On LinkedIn, you can comment thoughtfully on industry conversations and start building relationships with those who might someday become the hiring manager of your dream job.
Remember, networking is expanding who you know and having a strong personal brand online expands who knows you. Both will enhance your chance of getting hired in this market.
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