Despite the popularity and convenience of artificial intelligence (AI) for solving various tasks, its role in the employment process is a subject of debate. According to a recent Kaspersky survey conducted in regions of the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, every second respondent in South Africa uses AI-based tools for work tasks, and one third uses this technology to improve their resume.
Proponents of AI argue that it offers significant advantages, allowing applications to be tailored to each vacancy and including necessary keywords to pass automated screening systems. However, others warn that excessive reliance on AI can lead to the creation of templated phrases and the loss of an individual approach.
To help job seekers turn AI into an ally, Kaspersky offers practical recommendations for improving resumes using AI while ensuring the security and authenticity of the information.
Before uploading your resume to a chatbot, you must remove all confidential information, including name, phone number, home address, email, company names, and any document scans. Since any language model is trained on the provided data, there is always a risk that the AI may unintentionally disclose your personal information to other users.
Therefore, before using any chatbot, you should check the settings and disable the option that allows the AI to learn from your queries. It is also important to ensure that the service has a full privacy policy. Remember the golden rule: never provide a chatbot with information you do not want to accidentally end up on the internet.
Most large and medium-sized companies already use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—HR software that collects and sorts candidate applications. Modern ATS and other HR platforms are increasingly integrating AI tools that automatically track and filter every submitted resume.
Nevertheless, even if your resume passes the initial AI screening, it will subsequently be reviewed by an HR specialist, and the style generated by AI may diminish the positive impression. Thus, while you can tailor a resume for AI recruiters, it is strongly recommended to continue focusing on human readers when preparing it.
Start by drafting the resume yourself, highlighting the most important points for you. Then seek help from AI. In this case, AI should act as an editor, helping to refine wording, improve structure, and emphasize experience relevant to a specific position. Otherwise, you risk receiving cliché phrases and a distorted view of your skills and experience.
Kaspersky experts shared additional tips for enhancing job search security:
- Always check links sent to you via email or messengers, whether they are links to a job opening, a video call, or a test assignment. Some links may lead to phishing or malware resources. Use a reliable AI-based anti-fraud solution, such as Kaspersky Premium.
- Use unique and strong passwords for each service. Store all credentials and financial data in a password manager for extra protection, autofill, and synchronization across devices.
- Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. Before sending any personal data, try to gather more information about the employer and verify the authenticity of the resources.
- Avoid publicly posting your full resume on social media. Instead, maintain a brief profile and provide the full document upon request.
This survey was conducted at the request of Kaspersky in 2026. The study sample included 1000 interviews in South Africa.