Is it common to use AI in job applications?

Yes. AI usage for resumes and cover letters more than doubled in 2024. Younger generations are especially likely to adopt it in their job search.

How common is it to use AI to write a resume or cover letters?

According to a ResumeTemplates survey from October 2024, 36.4% of U.S. workers planned to use AI to help write their resumes, and 28.4% planned to use it for cover letters.

Does AI improve my job search?

Yes. A June 2024 Capterra study found that applicants who used AI completed 41% more applications, on average.

What age group uses AI the most in job search?

Gen Z and Millennials had the highest adoption in September 2024 surveys, both at 45%. Gen X followed with 28%, and only 10% of Baby Boomers reported using AI.

Do men use more AI in job applications than women?

Yes. Surveys from September 2024 show that 37.5% of men used AI when applying for jobs, compared to 25.3% of women.

Is it okay to use AI for interview preparation?

Yes. ResumeTemplates data from October 2024 shows that 27% of workers plan to use AI to help prepare for job interviews.

Job Seekers and AI: Trends & Stats (Updated)

The survey data is collected from the latest studies between February-October 2024

Our findings state that the use of AI in job search has steadily increased in all age groups throughout 2024.

AI Usage for Resumes and Cover Letters (2024)

The share of applicants who used AI to write their cover letters or resumes more than doubled from February to October 2024 (U.S.).

Sources:
ResumeBuilder (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
ResumeTemplates Gen Z Study (May 2024, n=2,921)
Capterra Global Study (Jun 2024, n=2,997)
ResumeTemplates Workplace Study (Oct 2024, n=1,258)

Methodology & Sources

This report is based on survey data collected between February and October 2024. CoverSentry has collected credible studies across the hiring field to gather AI-related behavior statistics in job seeking.

As of April 2025, no major studies on 2025 job seeker AI usage have been published.

Many surveys in this space are funded by companies offering paid job search tools. Some showed methodological or narrative bias and were therefore excluded. We prioritized studies that, to the best of our judgment, demonstrated neutrality and credible sampling and design.

For media inquiries or other questions: email us at info@coversentry.com

Sources (links open in new tabs):

ResumeBuilder U.S. Survey (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
ResumeTemplates Gen Z Study (May 2024, n=2,921)
CharityJob UK Report (May 2024, n=2,309)
Capterra Global Study (Jun 2024, n=2,997)
JobLeads U.S. Research (Sep 2024, n=1,028) [1]
ResumeTemplates U.S. Workplace Study (Oct 2024, n=1,258)

AI Usage by Generation: Feb vs Sep 2024

Comparison over time by generation

Generation usage distribution (September 2024)

Younger generations show significantly higher AI adoption rates.

Sources:
ResumeBuilder (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
JobLeads U.S. Research (Sep 2024, n=1,028)

How age groups were mapped to generations

For surveys conducted in 2024, we used the following logic to map the age brackets:

Age group to generation mapping for 2024 surveys
Age Group	Mapped Generation(s)	Rule
18–24	100% Gen Z	Fully within 1997–2012 (ages 12–27)
25–34	30% Gen Z, 70% Millennials	25–27 are Gen Z (3 yrs), 28–34 are Millennials (7 yrs)
35–44	100% Millennials	Fully within 1980–1996
45–54	100% Gen X	Fully within 1965–1979
55+	Mostly Boomers	Even though Gen X goes to age 59, the 55+ class is simplified as boomers since no split data is given

This mapping helps with consistency when comparing generational trends in AI usage across age-based survey results.

AI Usage for Skills Tests & Assignments

Percentage of job seekers using AI for tests or assignments.

Sources:
ResumeBuilder (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
CharityJob UK Report (May 2024, n=2,309)
Capterra Global Study (Jun 2024, n=2,997)

How job seekers use AI (Jun 2024)

The data shows the distribution of what kind of tasks are the most common among those who use AI in job search.

Source:
Capterra Global Study (Jun 2024, n=2,997)

AI Usage by Gender: Feb vs Sep 2024

Share of applicants using AI in job search

AI usage distribution by gender (Sep 2024)

Female usage of AI in job searches grew significantly faster than male usage. Around 60% of job seekers who utilize AI are males.

Sources:
ResumeBuilder (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
JobLeads U.S. Research (Sep 2024, n=1,028)

AI Usage for Interview Preparation

Using AI to prepare for interviews is gaining popularity among job seekers.

Sources:
ResumeBuilder (Feb 2024, n=1,000)
CharityJob UK Report (May 2024, n=2,309)
Capterra Global Study (Jun 2024, n=2,997)
ResumeTemplates U.S. Workplace Study (Oct 2024, n=1,258)