How can HR spot candidates padding AI terms on resumes?

The share of resumes listing at least one artificial intelligence (AI)-related term more than tripled between 2023 and 2025, putting to question the reliability of the mention of such terms to prove candidates’ ability, according to a recent report.

AI-related mentions rose from 3.4% of resumes in 2023 to 12.8% in 2025, finds Monster's AI Resume Trends Report, which was based on an analysis of 75,000 resumes collected from 2023 to 2025.

 That means roughly 1 in 8 resumes now references AI in some form.

According to the report, the sharpest growth occurred between 2024 and 2025, "suggesting more workers are now formalizing AI experience as part of their core skill set." Foundational terms led the increase, with "artificial intelligence" appearing on 6.3% of resumes and "machine learning" on 5.7%.

‘They do not always reveal depth’

Monster's report cautions that broad terms such as "artificial intelligence" and "machine learning" can reflect coursework, casual exposure, or genuine project work, but "they do not always reveal depth." It recommends hiring teams look for context around completed projects, tools used, business problems addressed, and results achieved.

The report also states that "generative AI familiarity is growing, but it is still uneven," noting that some candidates use generative tools extensively while others have little hands-on experience. It adds that assuming uniform readiness across a candidate pool would be a mistake for employers evaluating roles where AI literacy matters.

"A resume with multiple AI terms is not automatically stronger than one that clearly demonstrates business impact, adaptability, and relevant experience," Monster concludes, arguing that keyword volume alone should not determine hiring decisions.

Recommendation for employers

Monster advises employers to update job descriptions with specific AI expectations rather than generic language, naming particular tools or use cases where hands-on experience is required. It also recommends training recruiters and hiring managers on what different categories of AI terms may indicate.

The company further suggests using structured interview questions or assignments for roles where AI skills are central, allowing candidates to demonstrate reasoning and judgment rather than simply listing tools. The report frames this as a way to reduce keyword-driven screening errors.

Monster says the goal for hiring teams is not simply to search resumes for AI keywords, but to understand what those terms mean, how they connect to a specific role, and whether candidates can apply AI skills in practical, responsible ways.

Beyond what Monster's report shows about resume language, several think tanks and labour-market researchers have measured how AI skills are actually playing out in hiring and pay. And the picture reinforces Monster's core warning: keyword presence and true labour-market value are not the same thing.