AI Is Everywhere — But So Is the Sameness

If you’re job searching right now, you’ve probably noticed something: Everything is starting to sound the same. Recruiters are seeing more and more applications written by AI. But you know what? Job seekers are feeling the sameness, too —in the job postings themselves.

This sameness creates a perfect storm:

• Job postings sound the same.

• Résumés sound the same.

• Cover letters sound the same.

• LinkedIn summaries sound the same.

And in that sea of sameness, authenticity becomes your strongest advantage — because authenticity breaks the pattern.

AI Should Build the Bones, Not Your Brand

AI is incredible for structure, clarity, and speed. It can help you:

• Format a résumé

• Draft bullet points

• Brainstorm accomplishment wording without using vague adjectives (recruiters hate those)

• Outline your LinkedIn “About” section

• Get unstuck when writing and generate new ideas or angles

• Outline interview responses

But AI cannot — and should not — replace your story, your values, or your voice.

That’s the part recruiters and hiring managers connect with.
That’s the part that stands out.
That’s the part only you can provide.

Being human- and letting it be seen- is the edge nowadays. This is precisely why the Ignite Career Toolkit includes structured AI prompts — they help you start, to be a thought-partner, but they’re designed to bring out your insights, not replace them ro write them for you.

How to Use AI Well in Your Applications

Here’s the secret: Use AI for clarity + structure — then layer in, well, you.

1. Start with your real accomplishments

Write a messy draft of your wins first. Refer to old resumes, think back to highlight the performance reviews or feedback you received from college, bosses, and friends. If you are not sure whether to include it, it is best to start with everything and cut down as you need. Then ask AI to help clean and structure it.

This preserves authenticity while elevating readability.

2. Make AI ask you questions

Instead of asking AI to “rewrite this,” try:

I am actively applying for XX roles in XX industry. Assume the role of a thought partner and a resume writer who context of the XX industry and XX roles in 2025. Ask me five questions that would help make this résumé more authentic and compelling to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.”

This forces AI to tailor its output to you.

3. Avoid job-description jargon

AI LOVES robotic corporate jargon:
“dynamic cross-functional collaborator,”
“impact-driven executor,”
“strategic thought partner.”

Hiring managers don’t. And neither do recruiters; I tossed these to the side more times than I could count.

If it sounds like it came from an HR dictionary and lacks real depth into HOW you actually accomplished something, remove it.

4. Add your values to everything

When you clearly communicate your values, it creates a subconscious connection with the people reviewing your résumé, LinkedIn profile, or interview stories. They can instantly get a feel for who you are as a human — not just as a set of bullet points — and begin picturing how you’d fit into their role, their culture, and their team.

Values also keep you grounded.
They stop you from slipping into fear-based decision-making, over-applying, or saying yes to roles that don’t actually align with your life. When you lead with your values, you stay anchored in what matters most — and that alignment comes through loud and clear to the people reading your application.

If one of your top values is creativity, highlight where you innovated and what successes came from it.
If it’s a community, show how you built bridges that strengthened ties within and outside your organization.
If it’s growth, spotlight how you upskilled quickly. Better yet, how you advocated and ran a new project, customer, or product that led to growth for you and the company.

If you’re not sure what your true values are, take the Values Discovery Assessment.

5. Add one sentence only YOU could say

In your résumé summary, cover letter, or LinkedIn headline, include a line that reflects your unique perspective.

Example:

“I provide values-led career-coaching infused with real-world hiring insights so people can stop surving and start thriving.”

Human. Specific. Memorable. Not something AI would spontaneously create.

How Recruiters Spot AI (And How to Avoid It)

Recruiters can instantly tell when an application is AI-written.
Common signs:

• Overly polished, too-long sentences (saying a lot without saying anything at all)

• Repeated phrasing across sections. You can ask AI to be a thought partner in identifying and streamlining your brand voice so you don't send mixed signals.

Example:

"Assume the role of a personal branding expert and ask me 4-5 questions, one at a time, to get to know me better and help me identify my resume and LinkedIn brand voice?"

• Buzzwords everywhere

• No real metrics (the worst infraction, in my opinion)

Read your documents out loud before submitting. If it doesn’t sound like you, revise.

AI is a tool. Not a substitute for you.

Final Thought: AI Won’t Replace You — But It Will Replace People Who Write Like AI

The job market is evolving fast. But the most timeless differentiator remains the same:

Clarity. Alignment. Humanity.

AI can support your job search — but YOU are the differentiator.

Next Steps

• Take the Values Discovery Assessment to understand and lead with your values.

• Book a free 15-minute consult if you want support understanding how to leverage your value since you know it best, and building a standout résumé + LinkedIn strategy that feels like you.