Job Hunting in 2026

If you are job hunting in 2026, your resume has 2 jobs now.

Get past the AI.
Convince the human.

And most people are failing at one, or both.

a woman sitting in front of a laptop computer

Here’s the reality.

✅ 81% of agencies now use AI to process CVs
✅ Job ads are down, applications are up, 42% YoY
✅ Employers trust resumes less than ever

AI was meant to make hiring fairer and faster.
Instead, it created a flood of identical CVs, polished, keyword stuffed, and forgettable.

So how do you build a resume that survives the bots and still sounds human?
First, accept this truth.

AI reads your CV.
A human judges your thinking.
You need to write for both.

Keep your CV boring on purpose. AI needs clarity, not creativity.

Use standard job titles.
Mirror the job ad language.
List skills clearly.
Keep formatting clean.

Use your cover letter to prove you are human. This is where most people waste the opportunity.

Do not repeat your CV.
AI already knows what you have done.

Humans want to know why you did it, how you think, and where you are heading.

Example opening.
“I am applying for this role because I want to move closer to operational leadership, where I do my best work partnering with managers through change.”

That tells a recruiter more than 5 bullet points ever will.

Show judgment, not just experience. Everyone looks qualified on paper.

Instead of
“Led a restructure of 120 employees”

Try
“Led a restructure of 120 employees, balancing speed with trust to protect engagement during uncertainty.”

That is judgment.
That is human.

Be self aware, it is now a career advantage.

Strong candidates can articulate their strengths, blind spots, working style, and where they want to grow.

Example.
“I thrive in ambiguity and change, particularly when teams need clarity and momentum. I am looking to deepen my exposure to complex matrix stakeholder environments.”

That level of honesty builds trust fast.

Your resume gets you the interview. Your presence gets you the job.

AI can polish words.
It cannot replace credibility, chemistry, or how you show up.

If your CV oversells a version of you that does not turn up in the interview, the gap will cost you the role.

Final Thought

In a market flooded with AI generated applications, the differentiator is not perfection.

It is clarity.
It is intent.
It is sounding like yourself.

If you are exploring your next move in 2026 and want an honest view of the market, reach out to Samuels Donegan. We work across all HR roles and are always open to a conversation.