Life, Home & Table · Story 10

LPT: Steal exact phrasing from job listings for your resume

A Reddit LPT recommends copying exact phrasing from job listings to get past automated resume filters. The post draws a distinction between plagiarism in school and using standard industry language in a job application.

Job searching now often requires navigating AI resume screeners as much as human recruiters. This tip reveals how applicants are forced to game automated systems and why many feel the process is rigged against them.

Key details

  • The original LPT advises applicants to steal exact phrasing from job descriptions for their resumes to increase match rates with automated screening software.
  • The post has nearly 7,500 upvotes and over 180 comments, suggesting strong resonance with job seekers.
  • One top commenter reports submitting over 300 tailored resumes with no interviews, raising questions about whether the tip actually works for everyone.

Discussion angles

  • Commenters contrast school lessons about plagiarism with the real-world advice to copy job listing language verbatim, noting the gap is confusing and frustrating.
  • Some argue the tactic is necessary only because AI resume filters reward keyword-matching over genuine qualifications or experience.
  • A frustrated user says they've already tried this strategy without success, speculating they may be blacklisted or that no human ever sees their resume even after the ATS stage.
  • Several commenters frame the practice not as cheating but as a survival tactic in a broken hiring system.

Top comments

Most commenters agree with the tip's premise that job listings should be copied, but they are conflicted. They see it as a sad necessity driven by AI screening, not a shortcut. Some who already follow the advice report no results, casting doubt on its effectiveness for all applicants.

I agree with this pro life tip. I just wanted to add that this touches on something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. In school, it was instilled in my classmates (likely other schools across the nation) how absolutely illegal and detrimental it would...
u/Responsible_Lake_804 · 2,655 score
the school plagiarism thing is so real. i remember being terrified to even quote something too closely in an essay. but yeah the distinction is basically "are you claiming someone else's ideas as your own" vs "are you using standard industry language that...
u/workreactor · 630 score
I've tried this and my resume hit rate has gotten nowhere. 300+ resumes and still unemployed. Some of these jobs I've done 75% of what was asked and still nothing. Either I'm blacklisted or no human ever reads my resume even after getting through ats software.
u/wishihadaps42 · 213 score
This is poignant. Just further highlights the gigantic chasm between what we were taught in school and what goes on in real life.
u/thenaturalinquirer · 169 score
Hope this post helps you consider why applicants may be doing that. Years ago it would definitely seem like laziness but now it’s just people trying anything to get past the AI resume filters.
u/pierrechaquejour · 132 score
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