AI is everywhere, isn’t it? From planning holidays to writing emails, it’s quickly becoming a part of our daily lives.
And when it comes to the job search, it’s no different.
We should absolutely be embracing this technology. But, like any powerful tool, knowing how to use it effectively is the key to success.
Using it incorrectly can do more harm than good, especially when it comes to your CV.
The AI Misuse That Makes Recruiters Cringe
Imagine you’re a recruiter. You read CVs all day, every day. You become very good at spotting patterns.
Lately, a new pattern has emerged: the AI-generated CV.
It often happens when someone asks an AI tool to write their CV with very little context. The output is always bland and generic.
You see the same tell-tale signs again and again.
The personal bio kicks off with “A results-driven and detail-oriented professional…”
You spot American spellings like “optimize” or “center.”
And then you see buzzwords that nobody uses in normal conversation, like “spearheaded.”
When a recruiter sees this, it raises a red flag. They start to question if they’re reading about the real you, or a generic imposter.
It sends a clear message: you haven’t put much effort in. You’ve simply copied and pasted the first thing the AI gave you. Your CV fails to stand out and ends up in the ‘no’ pile.
The Tailoring Trap: Losing Your Voice
The next common mistake is using AI to tailor your CV to a specific job description.
I’ve seen this happen with clients. They start with a beautifully written CV that captures their unique experience and personality.
Then, they feed it into an AI tool along with a job description and ask it to rewrite the whole thing.
Suddenly, their unique story is gone.
They’re back to being a “results-driven, detail-oriented individual who spearheaded” a project.
Yes, the CV might have better keyword matching for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). But the human who reads it next (the recruiter or the hiring manager) just sees the same generic template they’ve seen a dozen times that day.
You lose the very thing that makes you unique.
The Solution: Ask for Feedback, Not for Words
So, how do you use AI to your advantage without falling into these traps?
It’s simple. Don’t ask it to write for you. Ask it for recommendations.
Think of AI as a coach, not a ghostwriter.
Instead of asking it to write or rewrite your CV, try giving it prompts like these:
- “Review my CV against this job description. What are my key strengths and where are the gaps?”
- “Suggest three ways I can better highlight my experience in project management for this role.”
- “How could I rephrase my achievements in my last role to make them more impactful?”
This approach changes everything.
The AI gives you targeted advice and suggestions. You then take that feedback and apply it in your own words.
You get an improved, optimised CV that still sounds like you. It’s the best of both worlds: smart AI analysis combined with your authentic human voice.
The One Thing AI Can’t Do… Yet
AI is a fantastic tool for getting feedback and spotting gaps.
But it can’t sit down with you and talk through your 15-year career. It can’t ask the right questions to uncover the hidden achievements and successes you’ve forgotten about.
That’s where the human touch comes in.
My CV consultations are where we dive deep into your career history. We mine for all the impactful projects, the leadership moments, the unique skills that will make your CV truly stand out to a hiring manager.
That’s a service AI can’t replicate.
If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you craft a CV that highlights your key achievements and showcases your skills in the best possible way, book a free 30-minute consultation. Let’s have a proper chat.