See the state-by-state breakdown in the interactive map below:
Created by resume.io
Key findings
5 states with the strictest views on AI in hiring
- Iowa (71%)
- Nebraska (67%)
- Massachusetts (67%)
- Kansas (63%)
- Connecticut (62%)
States with the lenient views on AI in hiring
- New Hampshire (20%)
- Indiana (29%)
- Arkansas (30%)
- New Mexico (33%)
- Nevada (33%)
Study implications
Regional variations in AI acceptance
Analyzing the state-level data reveals significant regional variations in how hiring managers perceive AI-generated resumes.
For example, Iowa (71%) has the highest percentage of hiring managers likely to reject AI-generated resumes outright, reflecting a more traditional approach to hiring in this state.
Conversely, states like New Hampshire (20%) show a higher tendency toward cautious acceptance, suggesting that candidates in these regions might face different expectations when it comes to resume authenticity.
Customization is key
A substantial portion of hiring managers suggest that if AI tools are to be used, heavy customization is crucial. Job seekers in states like Iowa, Nebraska and Massachusetts, with higher general AI rejection rates, should particularly focus on blending AI's efficiency with personal touches to stand out in the job market.
A preference for authenticity
Nationwide, a significant majority of hiring managers express a preference for receiving a poorly written but authentic resume over a perfectly polished AI-generated one.
Mistakes like minor typos, occasional grammatical errors, or an awkwardly phrased sentence might be seen as authentically human.
Ethical concerns driving policy
With a strong concern that AI can misrepresent a candidate’s true skills, companies in states with managers more likely to reject AI-created resumes might lead the call to implement policies requiring candidates to disclose if they used an AI resume generator.
This emerging trend toward transparency is becoming more pronounced, particularly in competitive job markets.
Disclosing AI use in job applications
The push for transparency is gaining traction, with a significant portion of managers advocating for candidates to disclose if their resume was AI-generated.
In these areas, candidates may soon find themselves required to provide additional information about the origins of their resumes, potentially changing the dynamics of job applications in these regions.
