Résumé Redesign: An Experiential Assignment Using AI Applicant Tracking Systems

The Résumé Redesign exercise equips business communication students with essential job search competencies through an experimental approach to résumé design. Grounded in contemporary research on AI literacy and résumé design, this assignment incorporates an AI-powered résumé scanner alongside faculty feedback to strengthen students’ understanding of formatting, mechanics, and audience adaption. Survey results from 136 student respondents indicate the AI feedback to be clear and helpful. This exercise offers flexibility for in-person and online learning environments to enhance a résumé assignment and introduce students to AI-mediated recruitment practices, while maintaining the critical role of human review in the résumé evaluation.