Resume Red Flags in AI Generated Content

Jan 27, 2026 | Podcast

WAW ep 138 Resume Red Flags in AI Generated Content

“Use AI to review your work, not to replace it.”

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of conversations about resumes that all seem to center around AI. There’s no question that job seekers are feeling pressure. Applicant tracking systems are smarter. Competition is tighter. And tools that promise to speed things up can feel like a lifeline.

But here’s the issue I keep running into. When AI is used to completely write a resume, it often crosses from assistance into misrepresentation. I’ve seen resumes filled with polished language, buzzwords, and responsibilities that don’t actually match the candidate’s experience. On paper, it looks impressive. Under scrutiny, it falls apart.

More employers are catching on, especially as some are using AI detectors. Others simply recognize the patterns such as generic phrasing, empty accomplishments, and formatting that looks suspiciously familiar. When that happens, trust is lost before a conversation even begins.

That doesn’t mean AI has no place in the job search. When it is used well, it can help refine language, improve clarity, or prompt better structure. The difference is ownership. When the substance comes from your real work and real outcomes, AI can support it. When AI creates the substance for you, the gaps show quickly, especially when it comes time to explain your experience in an interview.

What concerns me most is that over-reliance on AI can actually work against candidates. If your resume doesn’t reflect what you truly know and have done, you risk landing in a role you’re not prepared for. Even worse, you could be losing your credibility altogether.

The goal isn’t to sound impressive. The goal is to be accurate, clear, and honest about the value you bring. That matters now more than ever.