The Observation Engine

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how we write résumés, prep for interviews, and manage our professional presence. But as more job seekers adopt AI-powered tools, a new problem has emerged: too many applications feel robotic and, ironically, less human. So, how do we strike the right balance between AI efficiency and personal authenticity in our careers? The Allure—and Pitfalls—of AI-Generated Applications AI tools make it easier than ever to generate grammatically flawless résumés, LinkedIn summaries, and cover letters. Templates abound, letting you insert keywords and phrases that algorithmically signal leadership, innovation, and collaboration. However, recruiters like Steve Levy warn that “real résumés have scuff marks”—meaning, a bit of imperfection, storytelling, or even minor inconsistency actually signals a human behind the application . Hiring managers are skilled at spotting the patterns: every bullet point perfectly aligned, every phrase echoing industry ja...