I look at hundreds of CVs every single week. Lately, I have noticed a pattern. Many of the applications, particularly those looking at early-stage careers have noticeable similarities. It is easy to tell when an AI has manipulated a career and experience. While using technology can help, relying on it too much might actually stop you from getting an interview.
With that in mind, I wanted to share some honest advice on how to handle AI in CVs without losing your own voice.
The problem with the “Robot Voice”
When I read a CV, I want to get to know the person behind the paper. AI tends to use very formal, stiff language that people do not use in real life. If English is not your first language, you might feel that AI helps you sound more professional. However, it often does the opposite – it makes your CV formatting look cold and robotic while prohibiting you from differentiating yourself from the crowd.
Here is what I often see:
- Inflated experience: AI loves to make small tasks sound like huge projects. If you worked on the floor of a retail shop and the AI says you “orchestrated a multi-channel retail strategy,” it looks suspicious.
- Odd grammar: AI often uses American spellings or phrases that feel out of place in a UK work environment. It can also use strange spacing / use of hyphens etc. & the trained eye can spot these a mile off.
- Repetitive words: You might notice the same fancy words appearing in every single bullet point – to not correct this kind of thing before sending a CV shows poor attention to detail regardless of whether AI wrote it or not!
The interview challenge
I do not think candidates are inherently lying when they use AI, it is an attempt to showcase your best self. The trouble starts during the interview process. If I ask you to tell me more about a specific point on your CV and you cannot explain it because AI wrote it then an issue arises.
You need to own every word on that page. If the AI suggests a sentence, ask yourself: “Could I actually explain this in detail to a hiring manager?” If the answer is no, change it.
How to use AI to your advantage
I am not saying you should never use these tools. They are great for checking your spelling or helping you get started when you have writer’s block. Here’s a few suggestions:
- Use it for ideas, not the final draft: Ask the AI for CV tips or for a list of skills for a specific role. Then, write the skills you have acquired out in your own words.
- Personalise everything: If the AI gives you a summary, rewrite it. Mention specific details, such as the fact that you worked 15 hours a week while studying or that you managed a till in a busy cafe during the Christmas rush.
- Check your formatting: Keep your CV formatting simple. Use clear headings, a clean font like Arial or Calibri, and bullet points. You do not need fancy graphics to stand out; you just need your CV to be easy to read.
Final Thoughts
AI is a doubled edged sword that has to be utilised carefully to see true benefits. If you can use it in conjunction with your own words and thoughts, it can be a powerful asset. However, relying on AI to do the heavy lifting leads to noticeable flaws, and it will affect your chances in an already saturated market of entry-level candidates. Don’t take the easy route, be different!
