Hot take: That $200 AI resume builder was a total scam for me

I paid $200 for one of those AI resume services that promised to get me past ATS filters, but all it did was spit out generic buzzwords that got me zero callbacks in 3 weeks. Has anyone actually had luck with these things or is it all hype?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma_smith16d ago

You tried it for three weeks and got nothing." That's exactly where these services fool people. They claim to beat ATS but most ATS systems just look for exact keyword matches from the job description. Those AI tools stuff in generic terms like "synergy" and "strategic planning" that don't match real job postings. I watched a friend use one and her resume came back with "team player" written six times. You're better off copying keywords straight from a specific job ad and tailoring it yourself.

andrewh9516d ago

Disagree with you on this one. I've seen the exact opposite happen with people I know. My cousin works in HR and she told me most modern ATS systems are way more sophisticated than people give them credit for. They actually analyze the structure and flow of a resume, not just do a simple keyword search. The AI tools I've seen people use don't just throw in "synergy" and nonsense like that. They pull actual skills and terms from the job description itself and weave them into the text in a natural way. Tailoring a resume manually is great if you have the time and know exactly what you're doing, but most people don't. Three weeks without results could just mean the job market is tough right now, not that the service was a scam.