ResuMAYHEM: When Every Resume Looks the Same
Let’s be real: HR isn’t hiring anymore.
They’re wading through a tidal wave of lookalike resumes, all polished by AI, all eerily... perfect.
Welcome to ResuMAYHEM.
What’s happening?
In today’s job market, especially at the entry level, AI has become the default job search assistant.
College seniors and recent grads are using it to:
✍️ Write their resumes and cover letters
🔍 Scrape and scan job boards
📤 Auto-apply to hundreds—sometimes thousands—of jobs
🧠 Answer screening questions with AI-enhanced polish
Some applicants are sending out 300 to 1000+ applications a year.
On paper, they look great. But here’s the problem:
So does everyone else.
The end result?
> A tsunami of applications that all sound the same.
> Recruiters are overwhelmed. Hiring teams are exhausted.
> And the best candidates often get lost in the algorithmic noise.
It’s not a talent problem. It’s a human signal problem.
We’ve reached a point where resumes have become indistinguishable—because they’re not written by the candidate. They’re written by ChatGPT or some AI assistant that knows how to hit all the right keywords but none of the nuance.
Even worse?
Many of these resumes are being submitted without any real intention.
It’s just volume—click, click, apply—on autopilot.
So what do we do?
Let’s look at the three most logical paths forward:
1. Return to the Old Way
Focus on referrals. Emphasize in-person interviews. Bring actual conversation back to hiring.
Not scalable? Maybe. But it’s where trust and chemistry live.
2. Use Recruiters
Human expertise still matters. A good recruiter knows how to sniff out energy, motivation, and fit—not just credentials.
3. Build Tech to Fight Tech
If AI created this problem, maybe AI (used wisely) can help solve it.
We need smarter filters. Tools that detect sameness. Systems that prioritize engagement and intent over surface-level optimization.
Let’s not forget what the “H” stands for.
Hiring is more than parsing resumes.
It’s about seeing people. Understanding their stories, skills, and potential.
We can use tech to help us—but we can’t let it erase the human from Human Resources.
ResuMAYHEM is real. But it’s not unbeatable.
It’s a wake-up call to rethink how we find—and recognize—great talent in the age of AI.
👀 Are you seeing this trend firsthand?
📢 What’s working for your team?
🧠 Or if you’re a job seeker, have you been ghosted by the machine?
Let’s hear it. Drop a comment—or better yet, a human thought.
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