This essay is based on a conversation with Malhar Shah, a 34-year-old technical lead residing in New Jersey. It has been edited for brevity and clarity.
When Malhar began his job search earlier this year, he believed that optimizing his résumé was crucial for securing interviews. One of his key strategies involved using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to evaluate his résumé’s overall quality and section-by-section performance on a scale of one to ten, along with requesting specific improvements.
His goal was to navigate the challenges posed by applicant tracking systems, which many companies use to filter and rank résumés. Malhar felt confident that once he reached the interview phase, he could make a significant impact.
His job applications spanned around 120 companies, leading to 10 to 15 interviews. He attributes much of his success in securing a technical lead position with a six-figure salary to the feedback obtained from AI tools, which improved his résumé from an initial score of seven to nine-and-a-half, according to ChatGPT.
Refining the Résumé with AI Assistance
Malhar began by submitting his résumé to ChatGPT for evaluation and then sought additional insights from Gemini. Although he didn’t customize his résumé for every job listing, he created versions for key roles such as technical lead and engineering manager, aiming for an AI score of eight or higher.
Inconsistencies arose in the scoring as different AI tools provided varying ratings, and the context of each interaction influenced feedback. While achieving a perfect score was challenging, he used the suggestions to continually enhance his résumé rather than solely relying on generating a flawless version.
Organizing and Formatting the Résumé
The most beneficial aspect of using AI was receiving real-time feedback and practical advice on enhancing his résumé. The AI tools helped him clarify language, incorporate relevant keywords for applicant tracking systems, and showcase his achievements effectively. Through multiple drafts, Malhar was able to polish his résumé quickly, with Gemini proving to be the most helpful tool.
Complementary Strategies for Job Success
Alongside AI tools, Malhar utilized them to enhance his cover letters and practice mock interviews for both behavioral and technical aspects. However, he recognized that AI wasn’t the sole contributor to his success. He conducted thorough research on current trends for tech applications, learning the importance of showcasing tangible achievements rather than merely listing skills.
Some of his most valuable insights came from a former coworker, who advised him to limit his job search to two hours each day, allocate time for skill enhancement, particularly in AI, and dedicate the remainder of the day to family. Reflecting on this advice, Malhar found it to be very insightful.
