(Image: Aleksandr Filimonov)
Artificial intelligence is changing the way people search for jobs. From brainstorming accomplishments to tailoring resumes for specific positions, AI tools can help jobseekers work more efficiently and present their experience more clearly.
But there’s a catch: The best results come when AI helps tell your story, not when it creates a new one.
Here’s how to use AI responsibly while ensuring your resume remains authentic, applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly, and competitive.
Start with a Human Resume, Then Use AI
One of the biggest mistakes jobseekers make is asking AI to write an entire resume from scratch.
Instead, begin with your actual experience: your accomplishments, responsibilities, skills, and results. Then use AI to help refine language, identify action verbs, improve clarity, or suggest ways to better quantify your impact.
Career experts at Harvard University recommend using AI as an editing and brainstorming tool rather than the primary author of your application materials. For nonprofit professionals, this is especially important: Mission-driven employers want authentic candidates who can clearly articulate their contribution to fundraising, programs, operations, advocacy, communications, or community impact.
Understand How Applicant Tracking Systems Work
These days, many employers are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to organize and search applications. These systems often scan for:
- Relevant skills
- Job titles
- Certifications
- Keywords from the job description
- Education and experience requirements
Because of this, it’s smart to customize your resume for each role.
AI can help identify recurring themes and keywords in a job posting, but use those terms naturally and honestly. If a position emphasizes volunteer management, grant writing, donor stewardship, or program evaluation, make sure those experiences are reflected in your resume with authentic, concrete examples.
Create an ATS-Friendly Resume
When ATS software rejects a resume, it’s not necessarily because it doesn’t reflect the needs of the position – more often, the problem is formatting.
To ensure an ATS can evaluate your resume accurately, be sure to:
- Use standard section headings such as “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills”
- Use a simple, single-column layout
- Avoid graphics, charts, icons, text boxes, and complicated tables
- Use common fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Include keywords from the job description where appropriate
Remember: Simple formatting is generally easier for both ATS platforms and human readers to understand.
Use AI Responsibly
AI can save time, but it can also create problems if used carelessly.
Remember:
- Don’t use AI to invent accomplishments, inflate results, or create experience you don’t have.
- Don’t copy AI-generated text directly into your resume without reviewing it.
- Do verify every statement.
- Do edit AI-generated suggestions so they sound like you.
At some point, a hiring manager may ask about a project, outcome, or accomplishment listed on your resume. You should be able to confidently discuss every line. That means reviewing and validating all AI-generated suggestions before using them.
Focus on Impact
Whether you’re applying for a development position, program role, communications job, or executive leadership opportunity, nonprofit employers want to understand your impact.
AI can help you transform a vague bullet point into something more specific. You can prompt a chatbot to look for items that could be more detailed (“Helped coordinate volunteers”) and ask for numbers, outcomes, and measurable results (“Coordinated 75 volunteers supporting annual fundraising and community engagement events”).
Keep in Mind
AI can be a powerful career tool – but only when used as a collaborator, not a replacement. Use it to strengthen your resume, identify opportunities for improvement, and customize applications. Pair that with clear formatting, ATS-friendly structure, and authentic storytelling, and you’ll be in a stronger position to connect with mission-driven employers.
Marc Schultz is communications editor at Work for Good.
Feeling informed, inspired, and empowered? Now is the perfect time to search for your next job! Or set up a job alert, and bring the search to you.
