US-based NRI techie shares how he landed a 6-figure salary job with help of AI:'Created multiple customised CVs'

Time of India

15 hours ago

While many would turn up their noses at the thought of using ChatGPT to refine your resume, an Indian-origin techie utilised the power of AI to land a six-figure job. In an interview with
Business Insider
, Malhar Shah, a US-based tech professional, revealed how he accomplished this feat. The techie, seeking senior engineering positions at a time when opportunities were scarce and competition was fierce. With applicant tracking systems (ATS) discarding the majority of résumés before recruiters ever saw them, Shah understood that he needed an edge to stand out from hundreds of other applicants. To gain that advantage, he turned to two of today's most advanced AI assistants—ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
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Crafting Multiple Tailored Résumés
Instead of simply producing one document and submitting it everywhere, Shah adopted a more deliberate strategy. He developed four distinct, customised résumés, each designed for specific roles he was pursuing: technical lead, staff engineer, engineering manager, and principal engineer. Every version went through several iterations, with ChatGPT and Gemini providing feedback.
Interestingly, the evaluations were not always consistent. On one occasion, ChatGPT scored a résumé nine out of ten, while Gemini rated the same draft only seven. At times, even the same platform would assign different scores based on how the prompt was framed. As he explained to Business Insider, these ratings were not final judgments but rather conversational benchmarks that guided him toward clearer, stronger applications.
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Using AI as a Reviewer, Not a Replacement
Shah emphasized that he never used AI to fabricate content or produce an entirely artificial résumé. Instead, the platforms acted like an additional reviewer, offering suggestions on language, structure, and emphasis. Feedback helped him refine phrasing, highlight leadership achievements, and integrate keywords that ensured ATS systems did not overlook his application. The tools also assisted him in reformatting sections and sharpening the narrative of his professional journey. Rather than chasing a mythical 'perfect résumé,' Shah prioritized accuracy and authenticity, shaping existing material with greater clarity.
Balancing Technology With Human Wisdom
Although AI proved critical to his process, Shah credits human advice for keeping him grounded. A former colleague advised him not to let job hunting dominate his life. Following that counsel, Shah limited his application efforts to no more than two hours each day, dedicating additional time to continuous learning and family life. This balance, he told Business Insider, helped him remain productive and avoid exhaustion during the lengthy search.
Beyond Résumés: Expanding AI's Role
Shah also extended his use of AI into other aspects of the hiring process. He asked the tools to help him draft more persuasive cover letters and to simulate mock interviews. Both behavioral and technical interview sessions were rehearsed with AI, allowing him to polish his delivery and anticipate questions. The rapid cycles of practice and instant feedback gave him an edge that traditional preparation methods rarely provide.