AI can make a resume pop: Here's what managers like to see

Ready to upgrade your resume? AI may just be the tool you need to make your application pop among the hundreds or thousands of other candidates in the pool.

According to Canva, 96% of jobseekers who have used AI in the application process landed interviews — and this goes beyond resume building. In fact, 38% of candidates used AI to search for job listings, and 37% used it to research companies and prepare for interviews. 

"In the era of AI, everyone has the opportunity to outsource time-intensive tasks," says Lorraine Dooley, head of talent acquisition at Canva. "For example, at Canva, you have accessible, creative resume templates at your fingertips, and everyone has the opportunity to present themselves in a different way. It's an exciting time to be a jobseeker because you've got AI behind you." 

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AI can not only help job hunters optimize their resumes and cover letters for specific job descriptions, but it can also ensure their application materials stand out, emphasizes Dooley. Canva found that 65% of hiring managers prefer resumes with interactive features like clickable links to LinkedIn profiles or digital portfolios, a preference that is up by 10% from 2023. Additionally, 62% of hiring managers prefer a pop of color in the resumes they review. 

While resumes and cover letters traditionally work best in simple formatting, Dooley notes that as applicant tracking software becomes more sophisticated, the more creative jobseekers can get without risking their resumes being unreadable. 

"A visual layout can convey the same message as a fully text-based resume, but it's just more engaging," says Dooley. "It also showcases a candidate's ability to not only think creatively but adapt to new technologies."

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Dooley adds that 72% of hiring managers favor candidates who include portfolios alongside their resumes, whether via a personal website or presentation. However, only 35% of jobseekers use portfolios to beef up their applications. This is another area where AI tech could lend a hand. 

Hiring managers themselves are open about their utilization of AI, with 90% reporting that AI is involved in some part of the hiring process, according to Canva. In fact, 27% of hiring managers use AI to summarize resumes under review, and 35% use it to craft their job descriptions. Even the onboarding process gets a little help from AI: Almost 80% of hiring admit they use AI to create visual materials to onboard new hires. 

"When we think about why hiring managers use AI in the first place, it's clear they are outsourcing time-intensive tasks, too," says Dooley. "At the same time, they're trying to personalize the experience for candidates and new hires."

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But even if a majority of hiring managers are all-in on AI, it doesn't mean they aren't wary of candidates using the tech. Canva found that 73% of hiring managers believe jobseekers should disclose their use of generative AI in their applications. 

Dooley advises jobseekers to leverage AI in a way that allows them to be more creative and genuine in their applications. If jobseekers can spend less time on formatting or revising their accomplishments on their resume, then they can invest more time in building an engaging application that reflects their personality and industry.

"Lean into visuals and away from text, leveraging your templates and learning how to use AI as a tool that can supercharge your creativity," says Dooley. "Just make sure we're not using AI to misrepresent skills and abilities."