People Are Competing for Your Dream Job With These AI Tools

Today, many content creators on the internet have already begun using AIGC tools to significantly improve their content production efficiency. However, content creators only make up a small portion of all internet users. The majority, ordinary people, can also fully utilize the rapidly developing artificial intelligence technology, and the tools and products empowered by it, to gain advantages in fierce competition.

For most people, career development is related to one’s life success and happiness and is an essential aspect throughout one’s life. Job hunting or job hopping is one of the most critical topics in people’s career development. Recently, I discovered that many tech-savvy individuals have been using some powerful artificial intelligence tools to aid them in job hunting or job hopping.

Thus, I decided to personally try out several AI resume creation and modification tools that currently have the highest user numbers on the market, and share my experience and evaluation results with you.

Can these tools genuinely assist us in better preparing our resumes and finding our dream jobs? What unique features and advantages do they possess? Let's explore the answers to these questions together.

Principles and Evaluation Dimensions of AI Tools

1. Principle of these AI tools:

   
   

Most companies today use different suppliers' applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage recruitment data and processes. Simply put, the ATS is similar to a CRM system or database, but it can also automate the recruitment process. Meaning, if your resume does not meet the requirements and does not reach a corresponding rating or score, it will be directly placed in the so-called talent pool, and will not appear in front of the recruiter. Conversely, if your resume is seen by the ATS system as a high match, you are likely to receive an interview invitation.

The principle of AI tools is to scan your resume or cover letter, check job keywords, skills, work experience, etc., whether they match the target position, and whether the format meets the ATS reading requirements. By optimizing the score or rating of your resume, it tries to present your resume in front of recruiters as much as possible.

2. Tool Selection Basis and Objectivity:

Considering that there are many such AI products on the market currently, but many are fleeting and cannot stand the long-term test of the market and users. Therefore, I found a few tools in this track with the most users, the best reputation, and relatively comprehensive functions. Then, I surveyed their traffic for the last three months through SimilarWeb and ranked them.

I chose the three most popular AI tools on the market until September for the next step of evaluation. They are ResumeWorded, Jobscan, and Kickresume. I will put their links at the end of the article for your reference.

3. Evaluation Dimensions and Condition Settings:

Considering the goals users hope to achieve with these tools and the costs they will incur, I mainly tested and evaluated them from the following dimensions: the core functions of the tools, whether the business logic and processes are clear, the tool's price and cost, the usability of the free version, and the main disadvantages of the tools. The full score is five stars.

For evaluation materials, I assumed that I was a developer looking for a job or seeking job-hopping opportunities, then generated a common resume with GPT-4, and used its materials to create a test LinkedIn account. I will also put the resumes and LinkedIn accounts I used for testing in the link below for everyone to check.

Performance and Ratings of AI Tools

1. First, I tried the most popular tool on the market, resumeworded. According to the data we previously collected, this tool has over 2.7 million monthly visits and is still growing. Based on experience, the number of users corresponding to this traffic is approximately 270,000 to 540,000. For an AI tool, this is quite an astonishing figure. Therefore, we had high expectations.

After logging in, we could see that this tool has three core functions: resume optimization, resume content matching according to JD (Job Description), and LinkedIn account optimization. These features basically cover the process of job search, including network expansion, job hunting, and resume writing.

First, I used the Score My Resume feature to upload my resume. The system scored my resume within 15 seconds and provided suggestions for improvement. I had two options at this point since the system analyzed my resume in terms of Impact, Brevity, Style, and Section, as well as the Soft Skills and Hard Skills presented in my resume. The first option was to improve the content corresponding to each aspect based on the system's suggestions to enhance the resume score.

The second option was to use the Line Analysis feature in the Tools to analyze the content of the resume line by line and manually modify it based on the system’s suggestions, or use the Magic Write feature to let AI modify the content. Free users have two opportunities to use the Magic Write feature. I tried it, and the generated content was indeed more specific and persuasive than what I wrote myself.

Then, I tried the LinkedIn Review feature. I found it not much different from the previous resume optimization feature. Note that the system cannot directly analyze the LinkedIn account links. Instead, you need to download the content as a PDF file from the LinkedIn Profile’s more options, and then upload this file to resumeworded.

After uploading the PDF file, the AI will also score the profile and provide optimization suggestions based on Headline, Summary, Experience, Education, etc. Besides, it has two unique features: one is keyword optimization for LinkedIn searches, and the other is templates for emails and messages needed for network expansion on LinkedIn. However, these features are chargeable.

Finally, we checked the subscription price of this AI tool. It costs $49 per month. Typically, the job search cycle requires at least a quarter. Therefore, I believe a quarterly subscription might be a more realistic choice for most users. Its quarterly price is $99. Considering that the free version of this tool offers quite limited features, serious job seekers almost have to pay the subscription fee, which objectively speaking, is not cheap.

In consideration of the above evaluation content: It has relatively complete core functions, earning it 1 star. The business logic clarity is average, 0.9 stars; cost, 0.7 stars; usability of the free version, 0.3 stars; no significant drawbacks found in the tool, 1 star, making the final score 3.9 stars.

2. Next, we tried jobscan, currently ranked second by users. According to the data we previously collected, this tool has over 1.9 million monthly visits and is also continually growing. Based on experience, the number of users corresponding to this traffic is approximately 190,000 to 380,000.

After logging in, we found this tool to be more like a personal version of ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Its core functions, besides the common resume scanning optimization and LinkedIn account optimization, also include a job and interview management system.

It actually has another vital but free feature - Resume Builder. I don't know why it's not placed in the central core function area of the page but is located in the Quick Links area at the bottom of the page. I tried this feature, and it provides simple templates for you to fill in information and then generates an ATS-friendly resume. But it’s just format-friendly to ATS, so you must use the Resume Scan in the core functions to perfect the resume you generated.

The Resume Scan of this tool is not merely scanning the resume and giving optimization suggestions. It is similar to the resume content matching according to JD feature of the previous tool. You need to input the JD of the target position while uploading the resume. So here, I uploaded that test resume of mine and found a random senior software engineer position JD on indeed.com to input.

The scanning result was roughly as follows:

The AI provides very detailed optimization suggestions, covering resume format, keyword matching, Hard Skills and Soft Skills matching, Recruiter tips, and other regular content. You can also input the company of the target position to achieve deep optimization for a specific ATS system, which is quite professional. Regrettably, only paying users can use its Power Edit feature and the Cover Letter optimization. Although I couldn’t try them this time, I specifically watched the demonstration videos on the official website. Both features are impressive.

Then, I tried its LinkedIn account optimization feature. Like the previous tool, it also requires uploading the downloaded LinkedIn profile file. After scanning this file, I saw a very detailed report generated by the system. Unfortunately, like the first tool, most of the content can only be unlocked by paying users.

Then, I tried its Job Tracker. Like the Resume Builder, it is a free but relatively simple tool and does not involve AI-related capabilities. We can add new positions in it, managing the entire process from resume submission to getting an offer.

Finally, we still checked the subscription price of this AI tool, which is actually not much different from the first one. It subscribes quarterly, and the cost for a quarter is $90, about 10% cheaper than the first one. However, we found that, like the first tool, the free version can only be used for testing and experiencing. If you really want to use it to help find a job, you must use the paid version.

In consideration of the above evaluation content: It has relatively complete core functions, earning it 1 star. The business logic and process are very clear, 0.9 stars; cost, 0.8 stars; usability of the free version, 0.4 stars; no significant drawbacks found in the tool, 1 star, making the final score 4.1 stars.

3. Lastly, we tested Kickresume, currently ranked third by users. Based on the data we collected earlier, this tool receives over 1.8 million visits per month. Although this is a significant decrease compared to 3 million in July, it’s still quite impressive.

Traditionally, this traffic translates to approximately 180,000 to 360,000 users. Considering the high conversion and payment rates typical of these AI tools, it suggests a strong user base.

In my personal experience, this tool offers the strongest AI experience among the three. Upon logging in, an AI assistant automatically starts, guiding you to input your information and use a template to create your resume. Even if you skip this step, you can always return by clicking the AI Resume button on the dashboard, creating a new resume.

Alternatively, you can click the "Import from LinkedIn" button at the bottom left corner, allowing the AI to automatically import information from your LinkedIn account, subsequently creating a new resume based on this content. This process is more intelligent compared to the previous two tools. However, it was disappointing that after using it once, I was prompted to upgrade to a paid version for continued use.

A unique feature of this tool is "Pyjama Jobs", prominently located in the top navigation bar. It’s a feature specifically aimed at freelancers or digital nomads like me, helping find remote work opportunities. Out of curiosity, I tried it.

After loading the resume I created by importing my LinkedIn profile, the system indeed found many remote job opportunities for me. After clicking the "Matches" tab, the AI specifically filtered out four remote development jobs that best matched my skill set and level. The salary for these remote positions seemed quite satisfying, averaging over $100,000 annually!

Overall, this tool has more distinctive features compared to the first two. The main differences are in two areas: firstly, its business logic doesn’t require you to upload a pre-written resume for optimization. Instead, it uses AI technology and relevant templates to directly help you generate an ATS-friendly resume. Secondly, it not only helps optimize resumes or LinkedIn accounts, but it also has a job database specifically for certain groups. After preparing the resume and cover letter, you can apply directly, making the process very smooth.

Finally, we looked at its subscription price. Among the three most popular tools, its price is the most friendly. For a quarterly subscription, it costs only $39 for three months. Moreover, students or teachers can apply for free Premium access. Objectively speaking, this price is quite attractive.

After comprehensive evaluation: it doesn’t have LinkedIn account optimization in its core features, but it has added attractive features for specific groups, earning it 1 star. Its business logic and processes are very clear, earning another star. Its cost-effectiveness is very competitive, earning another star. The usability of the free version gets 0.3 stars, and since we didn’t find any major flaws, it gets another star, making a total score of 4.3 stars.

Analysis and Conclusion

Although I only evaluated the three most popular AI tools currently used in job hunting or seeking job change opportunities, the results are quite representative. I believe we can draw the following conclusions:

1. Starting of AI Technology Application:

AI technology has started to be applied in this field. Although it does not cover every aspect of job hunting or career development, it significantly improves our efficiency in certain aspects, giving us considerable advantages over competitors not using these tools.

For instance, LinkedIn account enhancement, resume writing and optimization, bypassing the ATS system to increase interview opportunities, and accurately matching the best career opportunities based on the data in our resumes.

2. Tools Supplement, not Replace:

While these tools do offer advantages in certain aspects, they cannot completely replace professional consultants or our efforts.

For example, even if we successfully bypass the ATS system and get interview opportunities using these tools, aspects such as pre-interview company and position research, value proposition during the interview, and post-interview salary negotiation still require our personal skill development.

3. Subscription is Almost Necessary for Serious Users:

The free usability of all tools is quite limited, mainly for trial purposes. However, I don’t see this as a major disadvantage of these tools. For those genuinely looking for a job or wanting to change jobs, investing a few dozen dollars per quarter is a worthwhile investment.

After all, in most cases, the job hunting process can be completed within a quarter, rather than taking one to two years.

4. Tailored Tool Selection for Specific Groups:

For certain groups of people, subscribing to the most popular tool might not be the best choice. The most popular tools are often designed for the broadest user base and might not necessarily suit you best.

For instance, in my case, I would most likely choose Kickresume. Its price is the most attractive to me, and as a freelancer and remote worker, its features are exceptionally beneficial.

That concludes this evaluation. Which AI tool do you prefer, or if you have any opinions on my analysis, please leave a comment. I look forward to exchanging ideas with everyone!

Links to the tools used in the test:

https://resumeworded.com/

https://www.jobscan.co/

https://www.kickresume.com/

Link to the resume used in the test:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cl9PK3XsJzXBjwQ526rUXklz5L5EyUTOLbwwm5sy6dk/edit?usp=sharing