In a world where job hunting can be a daunting task, musician Cami Petyn found herself in a tough spot after applying to 65 job openings without receiving a single interview. Faced with the possibility of having to give up on her dreams and sell her belongings to make ends meet, she turned to a little-known “dystopian” résumé hack that ultimately landed her not one, not two, but three part-time positions.
Petyn, who has a substantial following on TikTok, shared her journey with her 542,700 followers, expressing her initial fears and frustrations at the lack of responses to her job applications. However, a friend introduced her to a unique hack that bypasses the AI systems many companies use to filter through applications before they reach human eyes.
The musician described the hack as a way to make your résumé “AI friendly” by copying and pasting the entire job description from the online listing onto your résumé. Then, by reducing the font size to the smallest possible and changing the text color to white, the hidden text becomes visible to AI but remains invisible to the human eye. This clever workaround allows the AI system to detect the keywords it is programmed to look for, increasing the chances of your résumé moving forward in the hiring process.
While the hack may require additional effort in tailoring your résumé for each job application, Petyn emphasized the importance of taking proactive steps to secure job interviews. By following this method and sending a brief introduction email along with her résumé, she saw a significant increase in interview opportunities.
The success of Petyn’s résumé hack has resonated with many others who have struggled to land job interviews in a competitive market. Commenters on her TikTok video shared their own experiences of using the hack and receiving positive responses from employers. Some even suggested simplifying the formatting of their résumés to basic text and bullet points to increase their chances of getting noticed by AI systems.
In conclusion, Cami Petyn’s innovative approach to job hunting serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment and the importance of adapting to new technologies. While the idea of a “dystopian” résumé hack may seem unconventional, it has proven to be a valuable tool for job seekers looking to stand out in a crowded field. By staying proactive, creative, and open to new strategies, individuals like Petyn can overcome obstacles and achieve their career goals.
