AI Use in the Job Market Is Creating an Infinite Doom Loop

Jodi Beggs, a data scientist, found that shortening her résumé to one page, using a consistent middle initial, and replacing “percent” with “%” markedly improved her score in an AI resume-matching tool. Some firms rely on applicant-tracking systems to rank candidates, while many still depend on human reviewers, creating a feedback loop where job seekers focus on algorithmic keywords despite uneven adoption. This loop generates distrust and inefficiency, as recruiters and applicants chase AI cues that often do not determine hiring outcomes.