AI Use in the Job Market Is Creating an Infinite Doom Loop
wired ·
The article describes a vicious cycle in hiring where job seekers use AI tools like Jobscan to tailor resumes to automated tracking systems, while employers use AI to screen the flood of similar applications, eroding trust on both sides. Jodi Beggs, a data scientist, received automated feedback that penalized her for a two-page resume and an inconsistent middle initial, illustrating the arbitrary nature of such systems. Daniel Chait, CEO of Greenhouse, argues that AI use by one side worsens the problem for the other, leading to an 'infinite doom loop' where more AI use begets more AI use to no one's benefit. Some employers like Toshiba's Kim Jones insist humans review every application, while a test at the remote company Doist found that AI rankings would have excluded the candidates they actually hired. Job seeker James Jacobsen used AI to track and score job listings and revamp his portfolio, which improved efficiency but still resulted in no offers. The article advises that instead of relying on mass applications, job seekers should research companies, submit cover letters (which are rare), and network, as the system itself is broken.
wired