Show HN: ApplyAssists – AI resume builder using Google XYZ formula

[daniellaza]

Hey HN,

My name is Daniel. About a year ago, while job hunting, I noticed that all the AI resume builders are focusing only on ATS scoring and templates, and of course I used them too.

But no results, just rejections, and then I found videos from Farah Sharghi (ex-Google, Lyft, Uber, TikTok, and New York Times recruiter), and she mentioned the Google XYZ formula and the study that is on the Boston University website that used eye tracking software to see how recruiters look at a resume. Apparently, they spend only 6 seconds reviewing an individual resume.

As a product owner with 20+ years of experience, naturally I started researching this resume vs. recruiters game. I have built a NotebookLM, and I gave it every winning resume I could find and talked to friends here in Romania, where I am located, to interview as many recruiters as I could find, plus all the studies I have found.

I have asked a colleague of mine who is a software engineer to build me a system from all that knowledge so it will help me make my resume as perfect as possible. In 3 weeks, I found a job that I am currently working at.

About 3 months ago, we decided to build a real product to help others, and this is how ApplyAssists was created.

Now we are in the testing phase, and this is why I am here. We have 50 spots for a Free Private Beta test, and all we need from you is your feedback.

You can use the system completely for free, and you have my step by step support.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[ventana]

I signed up for a beta just for fun. But in general, in my own 20+ years of industry experience, there was never a case where my resume was evaluated by a recruiter without having someone refer me.

If I have a referral, they will still ask me to send an updated resume, but it goes directly to the hiring manager and interviewers. For that stage I believe it's far more important to appear a human and tell a story about your experience, and I won't use any AI resume builder for that.

[daniellaza]

First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to test it out and participate in the beta. You are awesome!

Now, on a more serious note, regarding your experience with 20+ years of industry know-how under your belt, I am sure you have been referred by someone directly. You’re one of the lucky ones, like many other senior specialists who have a network.

That was my case too until a year ago, when the company I worked for was acquired. The new owners brought in their own team, and my existing network already had full teams with no openings. On top of that, I’ve mostly worked for startups, including my current job. They pay better, but the risk is always there.

We were lucky, but the majority of applicants don't get the chance to be referred. They have to apply through ATS systems like Workday, which companies use to manage candidates.

All these systems act as data parsers. These days, recruiters look at a dashboard and use filters to screen candidates, they barely see the actual resume file. Even when they do look, it is crucial to have a resume that puts key data in front of their eyes. Apparently, recruiters spend only about 6 seconds scanning before deciding if they’ll read deeper or mark you as a hard pass.

This is why it's important to tailor your resume for each job you apply to, you have to mirror the job titles and some of their actual words so you can appear in the filtering.

I'm sorry for the long reply and the serious note, but this subject is serious for me … You are completely right that it’s important to appear human, tell your story, and own your experience, but I believe that part is primarily for the interview phase.

A resume is essentially a structured datasheet designed to help ATS filters pass you through, convincing the recruiter you’re a safe hand to bring to the interview table. This is exactly why I built the app as a tool to help you craft your own story with your own achievements and metrics into a solid resume, the AI here is just an optimization and a helping tool, nothing more.

Thank you again for your feedback, and I’m eager to hear what you think as you test the app.

PS: I have sent you the invite link. Thank you!

[ventana]

TL;DR for those interested in the results of my testing: the service helps you rewrite the CV focusing on measurable achievements; it's pretty much like having a very stubborn friend helping you edit the CV and always asked the same question, "oh yeah you worked on that, what were the measurable results of that?"

Judging by my own experience reading candidates' resumes, it would've been really useful for a lot of them.

[daniellaza]

No worries about the long text :) … Love this description! “A very stubborn friend” (i will use this phrase if you agree) … is honestly the best way to put it. We need to force out the metrics and the framing of achievements because they are really important. I am really happy to hear it resonated with your experience. Thank you a lot for your feedback!