How can I tell if a resume or cover letter was written by AI?

The surest test is a conversation, not a detector score. Look for generic claims with no names, numbers or dates, phrasing that matches other applicants word for word, and achievements the person cannot explain. Then ask them to walk you through what they wrote. Real experience shows up in the details they add.

Signs in the writing

Big claims with no specifics: no project names, numbers, dates or results.
The same phrases or structure across several applications.
A letter that names the wrong company, or does not match the details of your job posting.
A polished letter that reads very differently from the candidate’s own emails and messages.

Check the facts

Confirm employers, dates and qualifications the usual way. Open portfolio links and check that the work exists and was posted before the application. A real track record leaves real traces.

Let the interview do the work

Ask for stories: what went wrong on that project, and what would you do differently?
Ask them to expand on one line of their own cover letter.
Use a short, live work sample that matches the job.

Be fair

Polishing wording with AI is different from inventing experience, and employers set different rules. Decide your policy and state it in the job posting. Avoid rejecting anyone on a detector score: a Stanford study found AI-writing detectors classified 61.22% of essays by non-native English speakers as AI-generated (Stanford HAI), so a score alone can screen out strong, honest candidates.

If you are the job seeker

Keep your drafts and notes, link to work that predates your application, and be ready to talk through every line. That is your best proof, and it makes a great interview.

How All Around REAL helps

All Around REAL is Your AI PI. Hiring teams use us to review candidate portfolios, writing samples and executive cover letters before an offer. The report informs your conversation with the candidate, and the hiring decision stays with your team. Job seekers use the “Prove mine is REAL” lane to put a verifiable REAL Check on a portfolio or submission, and the code-comparison add-on answers “was my work copied?”

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