I know some people charge for this kind of guide. Maybe one day I will. But not today, and not for this one.
Here is why. The way we write resumes and cover letters keeps changing. Keyword usage, action verbs, formatting, what it should say and how it should say it, whether you even need a cover letter, and of course the dreaded ATS. Now there is a new problem on top of all that: the overdone AI resume.
A lot of people are using AI to write their resume. That is fine. But when you go back to proof what AI gave you, you need to know what you are looking for. That is exactly why I wrote Land the Interview, and why I want it in as many hands as possible.
What is happening in hiring right now
The job market is crowded, and AI is making it louder. LinkedIn’s CEO, Dan Shapero, told the Wall Street Journal that it has become harder for employers to tell who can actually do the job, and that people are sending out 30% more applications than they did before the pandemic (Wall Street Journal, 2026). The Journal has also reported on job seekers using AI to write resumes and cover letters fast, and even using bots to apply for hundreds of jobs at once (Wall Street Journal, 2024).
So what happens on the other side? CNN reported that companies have used applicant tracking systems for years to scan resumes for skills and keywords, and AI may now take that a step further by “reading” applications to find good matches. But one expert in that same report said a human still needs to make the final hiring decision (Kaufman, 2025).
At NBC, AI scans incoming applications and highlights words tied to the job description, but their recruiters still look at every resume that comes in, not just the ones the system recommends (NBCU Academy, n.d.).
That means a real person is going to read your resume. And that person wants to know you.
Can you use AI? Sure. Are you using it smartly?
One technical recruiter who has hired hundreds of people said she doesn’t care if candidates use AI, and that if you use it the right way, no one will be able to tell (NBC Bay Area, n.d.). The key words there are “the right way.” Employers might ask if you can use AI. They are not asking you to hand your whole story over to it. No tool knows what makes you, you.
A few highlights from the ebook
Skip the personal summary. Your resume and cover letter already tell your story. A summary takes up space you could use to brag about what you have done.
Write achievements, not duties. Use this formula for every bullet: Strong Action Verb + What You Did + Result.
Weak: Responsible for managing customer onboarding process.
Strong: Reduced customer onboarding time by 40% by redesigning the intake workflow and automating follow-up emails.
No numbers? No problem. Show the size of the work instead. How many people it affected, how many teams, what changed because of you.
Match the job posting word for word. If they say “project management,” don’t write “project coordination.” Spell out acronyms once, like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), so you match both versions.
Keep the format simple. One column. No tables, text boxes, headers, footers, or emojis. Save as a .docx or a text-based PDF. Quick test: paste your resume into Notepad. If it turns into a mess, the software will struggle too.
List skills that fit the job. Include the work you do and the tools you use. Don’t overuse soft skills like “communication” or “teamwork.” They matter, but they are not the first thing a recruiter needs to see, and your bullets will show them anyway.
Do you need a cover letter? If one is requested, or you choose to send one, make it count. Use four short paragraphs: a real connection to the company, your story of growth, one project that proves you can do the job, and a confident close. Keep it under 400 words. And please don’t just repeat your resume. NBC’s talent team has said a cover letter that rehashes your resume won’t help you stand out (NBCU Academy, n.d.).
Proofing your AI resume
Before you hit send, ask yourself: Does this sound like me? Does every bullet start with a strong verb? Do at least half of them show a result? Do the words match the job posting? If you read it out loud and it sounds like everyone else, it needs more of you.
Grab the free guide and templates
Download Land the Interview for free here. At the end of the guide, you will also find a link to a fully editable resume and cover letter template in Canva, already formatted and ready for you to make your own.
CLICK HERE FOR LAND THE INTERVIEW FREE DOWNLOAD
Now go land the interview. You have got this.
Gayle
References
Kaufman, M. (2025, April 8). AI might be scanning your resume. Here’s what job hunters should know. CNN Business.
NBC Bay Area. (n.d.). It’s OK to use AI on your resume, says recruiter who’s hired hundreds: “No one’s going to be able to tell.” CNBC Make It. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/business/money-report/its-ok-to-use-ai-on-your-resume-says-recruiter-whos-hired-hundreds-no-ones-going-to-be-able-to-tell/3840307/
NBCU Academy. (n.d.). Make your resume stand out to HR managers, not AI bots. NBCU Academy. https://nbcuacademy.com
Wall Street Journal. (2024, May 11). “You’re fighting AI with AI”: Bots are breaking the hiring process. The Wall Street Journal.
Wall Street Journal. (2026). LinkedIn’s CEO on how AI is reshaping hiring. The Wall Street Journal, CIO Journal. https://www.wsj.com/cio-journal/linkedins-ceo-on-how-ai-is-reshaping-hiring-135451e8