Do AI-Written Resumes Perform Better? A Comparative Study Across Job Portals

Introduction
AI tools like ChatGPT have reshaped how resumes are written. Job seekers use AI to draft, tailor, and polish language. But does that actually improve hiring outcomes?

In 2025, more candidates are experimenting with AI to gain an edge. This article examines how AI-written or AI-assisted resumes perform compared to traditional ones. We look at different contexts — gig platforms, corporate job boards, and simple uploads — to see where AI helps and where it can backfire. The goal is to move beyond hype and understand the real impact of AI on resume effectiveness.

The Emergence of AI in Resume Writing

AI has quickly become a popular tool for job seekers. A February 2023 survey by ResumeBuilder found that 46% of job seekers used ChatGPT to write resumes or cover letters4445. The same survey reported that 72% used ChatGPT for cover letters and 51% for resumes specifically46. Adoption has been rapid because generative tools only recently became widely available.

Why the rush to AI?

• Writing a resume is daunting and time-consuming.
• Candidates want succinct, polished, tailored content.
• Tools like ChatGPT can generate drafts, suggest phrasing, and surface keywords from job descriptions. The hope: produce a better written resume that is typo-free and optimized in wording.

However, there’s a flip side. Hiring managers are increasingly aware of AI-generated content. According to a 2025 survey of 600 U.S. hiring managers, nearly 1 in 5 (19.6%) would reject an AI-generated resume or cover letter outright4748. Over a third claimed they can spot an AI-written resume in under 20 seconds49.

This sets up a nuanced analysis. AI assistance can enhance quality (better wording, fewer typos, relevant keywords). But perception matters if a submission seems robotic or overly generic.

Evidence from Studies: AI-Boosted Resumes and Hiring Outcomes

Emerging research sheds light on whether AI-written or AI-assisted resumes perform better in real hiring scenarios.

One landmark study comes from the MIT Sloan School. In 2023, researchers ran an experiment on a global freelancing marketplace involving almost half a million job seekers5051. Some users received algorithmic writing assistance for their profiles/resumes. Others wrote without help.

The results were telling:

• Job seekers with AI assistance were 8% more likely to get hired5253.
• Job seekers with AI assistance were 8% more likely to get hired5253.
• They received 7.8% more job offers and commanded 8.4% higher wages on average5455.

The AI assistance was simple. It suggested fixes for spelling, grammar, and tone5256. It did not write resumes from scratch. That polish still made a measurable difference.

“If you take two identical workers with the same skills, the one with the better-written resume is more likely to get hired,” said the lead researcher57. The implication: AI improves communication of skills rather than inventing qualifications.

This supports the intuitive idea that a clearly written, error-free resume will outperform one with mistakes or poor phrasing. AI helps especially when language is a barrier. In the MIT study, over 80% of participants were in countries where English isn’t the first language58. For them, AI helped level the playing field.

Another data point: ResumeBuilder’s survey (self-reported outcomes from job seekers using ChatGPT) found that 78% got an interview when using application materials written by ChatGPT4559. 59% ultimately got hired when they applied with AI-written resumes/cover letters59. About 69% reported a higher employer response rate60. These are optimistic numbers and may include response bias, but they suggest many felt AI provided a boost. Notably, 1 in 10 (11%) said they were denied a job when the employer discovered they used ChatGPT[61]. That highlights potential downside when employers disapprove of heavy AI use.

What about AI-written resumes in automated settings like ATS and AI screening tools? Ideally, an AI screening an AI-written resume would not care about authorship. It might even favor keyword-optimized content. There isn’t conclusive research on “AI vs AI” here. But content quality and relevance are crucial for ATS, and AI can help improve both.

Some job seekers specifically use AI to tailor each resume to the job posting. That boosts ATS scores and match quality. One Reddit user reported that using ChatGPT to rewrite their resume for each job tripled their interview rate62. This is anecdotal but aligns with the idea that tailored resumes perform better — AI-written or human.

Job Portal Differences: Where AI-Written Resumes Shine or Struggle

The performance of AI-written resumes varies across platforms:

• Freelance/Gig Platforms: On marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr, profiles and proposals function like resumes. The MIT study effectively covered such a platform and found a positive effect from AI assistance5254. Quick decisions are common, and writing quality influences client impressions. Non-native English speakers and newcomers can benefit from AI to sound more professional and build trust.

• Corporate Online Applications (ATS-driven): On corporate portals, the first hurdle is often an ATS. AI can help ensure the right keywords and a clear format, which improves ATS success. Resume optimization tools that align with job descriptions can significantly increase interview chances — Jobscan’s data shows candidates who tailor resumes have much higher interview rates9. On platforms like LinkedIn Easy Apply or Taleo/Workday, an AI-optimized resume may float to the top. Later, a recruiter may still raise an eyebrow if the content reads as boilerplate.

• Traditional CV Uploads (e.g., Indeed, company sites): When emailing a resume or using simple uploads, AI’s benefit is mainly writing quality. Detection risk is lower since a human reads the document, not an AI detector. HR personnel can still notice formulaic or overly generic phrasing. A TopResume survey found 52% of managers accept light AI use like proofreading, but they want the final product to “sound human” and reflect the individual63. Best results come when AI is a helper, not a replacement for personalization.

• Academic or Specialized Contexts: Some fields (academia, government) have specific resume/CV norms. AI may miss these without guidance. Environments with strict authenticity standards may scrutinize AI usage more. Ensure AI-generated content is truthful and accurately reflects your experience.

One interesting anecdote: A survey by a hiring firm found that when given a mix of resumes, over a third of hiring managers could correctly identify AI-generated ones and did so in around 20 seconds on average64. Millennials and Gen X managers were most adept at this65. They likely spot tell-tale signs like overly broad statements, lack of personal specifics, or even subtle stylistic quirks. For instance, AI might produce a sentence like “Managed projects to achieve business goals with cross-functional teams” – which sounds fine, but also generic and with a polished yet impersonal tone. A human-written line might be more specific: “Managed a team of 5 to launch X product, increasing revenue by 10%.” The latter has personal context that AI wouldn’t include unless prompted with the data. This hints at how to use AI effectively: feed it your specific accomplishments, don’t let it stay vague.

Hiring Manager Perspectives and Biases

Employer attitudes toward AI-written resumes are evolving. The 2025 TopResume survey offers a pulse. While 1 in 5 would reject an AI-generated application47, 4 in 5 would not automatically reject. Preferences still vary.

Notably, 14.5% of managers said AI shouldn’t be used by candidates at any stage66. Most were okay with certain uses: 52% accepted AI for proofreading or drafting support, as long as the final resume felt personal63.

This suggests a “sweet spot” where AI is a tool, not the author. Hiring managers want to “see the human behind the resume”[67]. They worry heavy AI use might mask true abilities or voice. Some fear it enables unqualified applicants to appear qualified on paper, wasting interview time. As a result, some companies may implement assessments to verify skills.

There’s also a generation gap. Older managers (Boomers, Gen X) are more skeptical of AI-written resumes. Younger ones (Millennials, Gen Z) are somewhat more tolerant6869. As more tech-savvy folks make hiring decisions, outright rejection may diminish — provided the content is good.

Another angle: recruiters themselves use AI. Around 15–20% of hiring managers said they use AI for tasks like resume screening70. If they use AI in hiring, it can seem hypocritical to reject candidates for using AI. Using AI to optimize your resume can be seen as staying competitive — similar to hiring a professional resume writer.

Best Practices for Using AI in Your Resume

Given the mixed performance and perception outcomes, how can you use AI for resume writing wisely?

Use AI to Augment, Not Replace. Let AI help with wording, grammar, and formatting suggestions. Always infuse your own specifics and voice. AI excels at tone and structure. Prompt ideas: “Here are my bullet points — make them concise.” Or “Turn this job description into an achievement-focused bullet.” Then add missing quantifiable results and personal touches. Treat AI as a smart editor or template generator, not the final author.

Tailor with AI Tools. Use AI to rapidly tailor your resume to each job by identifying missing keywords and relevant skills. Paste a job ad and your resume into a tool and ask which qualifications are missing. This helps you align for better match scores. A report from SHRM noted that about 70% of candidates who used ChatGPT got a higher response rate — likely because they tailored more effectively71. Tailored resumes, AI-assisted or not, perform better.

Avoid AI Over-Generalization. AI can produce generic content without detailed input. Phrases like “results-driven professional” or “detail-oriented team player” are cliché. They don’t differentiate you. Hiring managers often cite overuse of buzzwords as a mistake — 60% say too many buzzwords is a top resume issue14. Keep AI-generated text specific. Cut statements that don’t add real information.

Check for Consistency and Honesty. AI may inadvertently create skills or duties you didn’t perform, especially if asked to “embellish.” Never leave those in. Use AI ethically: provide real data; don’t fabricate. Language should match your voice. You should be comfortable speaking to everything on your resume. If your resume reads like Shakespeare but you speak casually, that disconnect can be obvious.

Test Your Resume. If worried about detection, you can test with AI detectors (accuracy varies). More practical: have a friend or mentor read it. If they say “this doesn’t sound like you” or “this feels generic,” tweak it. Be ready to answer, “Did you use AI for your resume?” Be honest: you refined wording; the achievements are yours.

Leverage AI to Optimize, not just Write. Beyond writing, AI can analyze job market trends so you can update skills accordingly. It can generate interview questions based on your resume content. These indirect uses improve performance when it counts. Tools like Resumly (an AI-powered resume tailoring SaaS) combine these capabilities — scanning job postings, highlighting missing keywords, suggesting modifications — to reduce tailoring time while maintaining personalization.

Conclusion: Striking the Balance

So, do AI-written resumes perform better? Yes — primarily when AI is used as an assistive tool, not a replacement for human input. AI enhances clarity, correctness, and relevance. In many cases, that leads to more interviews5259. This is especially true on text-heavy, skills-focused platforms where wording and keyword optimization pay dividends.

However, an obviously AI-generated and impersonal resume can backfire. Some employers are wary and want the “real” person behind the application7267. Ensure your unique experiences and voice come through. AI is a powerful tool — like spell-check or Grammarly on steroids — but it must be used correctly.

For international job seekers, AI can be a great equalizer. If English isn’t your first language, AI can polish grammar. If you’re not a natural writer, AI can generate a professional tone you can refine. If you’re short on time, AI can rapidly produce a draft you customize. These benefits likely contribute to the positive outcomes (higher interview rates) reported by AI users.

In summary, AI-written resumes can perform better when used thoughtfully — to highlight the right skills, ensure flawless language, and tailor to each job — while remaining honest and personal. The best results come from collaboration: your expertise and accomplishments, combined with AI’s linguistic and analytical muscle.

References

1. MIT Sloan – AI-boosted resumes study
2. ResumeBuilder – ChatGPT usage survey
3. TopResume – Hiring manager AI survey
4. SHRM – Candidates using ChatGPT report higher response rate
5. Jobscan – Interview rates and tailoring
6. Reddit – ChatGPT resumes increased interview rate (anecdote)
7. Qureos – Resume statistics and common mistakes