How to use AI in CV writing
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Marketing Recruitment Can AI improve CV writing?
The job market has never been more competitive, and a CV is often the first, and sometimes only, chance to make an impression on potential employers and secure an interview. So why leave it to chance? With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), job seekers now have powerful tools at their fingertips to create, improve, and fine-tune their CVs. But how exactly can AI help land that dream job, and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Let’s explore…
How can AI help in CV writing?
Efficiency and accessibility
One of the most significant advantages of using AI in CV writing is its sheer efficiency. Instead of spending hours agonising over every word, grammatical and formatting detail, AI tools can help streamline the process, turning a laborious task into something that can be accomplished with just a few clicks.
Levelling the Playing Field
AI also democratises the CV-writing process as not everyone has the resources to hire a professional CV writer. AI tools make it possible for anyone to present themselves professionally, regardless of their writing ability and budget. This is especially beneficial for individuals with dyslexia or other writing challenges, ensuring their CVs are not unfairly dismissed due to formatting or grammatical errors.
Time-Saving
AI can significantly reduce the time it takes to draft a CV. This can be a game-changer for those who struggle with writing or aren’t familiar with the latest CV formatting trends, producing a well-organised, polished CV ready in minutes rather than hours.
Professional Presentation
When it comes to first impressions, presentation is everything. AI can help ensure a CV looks professional and adheres to industry standards.
AI can format CVs to ensure they’re clear, organised, and easy to read—key factors that will distinguish between getting noticed and being overlooked. Whether applying for a creative role or a more corporate position, AI can personalise a CV to fit the expectations of each industry
Grammatical Perfection
AI tools can eliminate typos and grammatical errors that might otherwise undermine credibility. This is particularly useful for non-native speakers, allowing them to compete on a level playing field where excellent English is not a prerequisite for the role.
Content & Key Skills
Even the most presentable CV won’t get noticed if it doesn’t highlight the right skills and experiences. AI can help identify and emphasise the most relevant aspects of a career history by analysing job descriptions and highlighting the skills and experiences employers seek. This ensures a CV is not just a list of achievements, but a targeted showcase aligning with the job.
Optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many companies use ATS to filter CVs before they even get read by a human. AI can help optimise a CV to pass through these systems by including the right keywords and formatting it in a way that’s ATS-friendly, increasing chances of being offered an interview.
The Potential Pitfalls of AI in CV Writing
(And How to Avoid Them)
While AI can be a powerful ally, it’s not without its downsides. To ensure a CV remains authentic and effective, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Authenticity and personal touch
One of the risks of using AI is that a CV might end up looking and sounding like everyone else’s. Make sure to customise CVs for each job application. AI can help align CVs with the specific job descriptions, ensuring the skills and experiences that matter most for that role are highlighted.
Loss of personalisation
AI-generated CVs, while polished, can sometimes lack the personal touch that makes a CV memorable. The language and tone should represent the writer; it’s important to inject personality into a CV. AI can help with structure and polish, but a CV should still feel like a true representation of the candidate.
Over-reliance on AI
It’s also easy to become overly reliant on AI, to the point where it can be difficult to articulate actual experiences. AI should be used as a tool to help, but not to replace human input. And candidates should be able to fully understand and discuss every detail in a CV during interview.
Potential for misrepresentation: Keep it honest
AI is great at generating content quickly, but it’s not perfect. There’s a risk that the information it produces might not fully or accurately represent skills and experiences, either downplaying key achievements or sometimes over exaggerating. Always double-check the content AI generates, ensuring there are no embellishments or errors that could be picked up on at interview. Honesty is key, a CV should be a true reflection of qualifications and experiences.
Ethical concerns
Some might view the heavy use of AI in CV creation as unethical. If this is a concern consider being transparent with employers about how AI was used in the CV writing process. Using AI is not dissimilar to seeking help from a professional CV writer or trusted friend.
Data protection and customisation: Stay safe and relevant
When using AI, be mindful of where personal data is going. Always use reputable tools that prioritise data privacy.
The bottom line: AI as a CV sidekick, not the star
AI can be a fantastic tool for creating, improving, and checking a CV, but it should be used as a supplement, not a substitute for personal effort. By leveraging AI’s strengths - efficiency, presentation, and content optimisation - it is possible to craft a CV that stands out from the crowd, as long as tone of voice, authenticity, and integrity are front and centre.
By following these tips, AI can be effectively leveraged to enhance a CV, while ensuring it remains authentic, accurate, and a true representation of individual professionals.
Top tips when using AI to write your CV
Maintaining authenticity and personal touch
• Personalise the Content: After generating a draft CV with AI, it should be reviewed and adjusted to reflect an individual, ensuring the tone is consistent with natural communication and feels genuine and personal.
• Inject Personality: Add unique elements that reflect personality, such as specific examples, anecdotes, or achievements that are unique to the author, avoiding generic phrases or cliches that might make the CV blend in with others.
• Keep Core Values: Make sure a CV conveys core values, work ethics, and professional philosophy by describing roles and responsibilities, highlighting key areas of passion.
Avoid Over-Reliance on AI
• Use AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch: Treat AI as a supportive tool rather than the main driver of CV creation. Draft key points and details, using AI to polish and refine sections.
• Review and Edit Thoroughly: Always review content that AI generates to ensure it accurately reflects experiences and skills, making sure every detail can be confidently discussed at interview.
• Understand the CV: Take the time to thoroughly understand and articulate every aspect of a CV. If AI suggests certain phrases or keywords, they must be comprehendible and relevant to experience.
Customising Each Application
• Tailor a CV for Each Job: While AI can help align a CV with specific job descriptions, it's crucial to go beyond AI suggestions. Manually adjust a CV to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills for each application.
• Highlight Unique Experiences: AI might suggest generic skills or experiences to include, but priority should be given to unique career aspects that set a candidate apart from others. Customise these elements based on the specific job applications.
Addressing ethical concerns
• Acknowledge AI Assistance: Be transparent about how AI was used. In a cover letter or interview, mention that AI helped with formatting or grammar but that the content is entirely unique.
• Compare AI to Other Support: Remember that using AI is similar to seeking help from a CV-writing service, a career advisor, or a mentor. The key is to use AI responsibly, ensuring it supports rather than substitutes individual efforts.
Protecting data
• Use Reputable Tools: Make sure to use AI tools that are well-known and have strong data protection policies. Research tools before uploading personal information to ensure data is safe.
• Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Be cautious about the type of personal information provided to AI tools. Stick to the basics— work history, skills, and education—without sharing unnecessary sensitive data.
Ensuring accuracy and avoiding misrepresentation
• Double-Check Facts: AI-generated content must be carefully checked for accuracy. AI might exaggerate or misrepresent skills and experiences, so all dates, job titles, achievements, and qualifications need to be verified, correct and truthful.
• Be Honest: AI may suggest certain skills or experiences that haven’t actually been obtained. Misrepresentation on a CV can lead to complications during interviews or when references are checked, so the temptation to include them must be resisted.
• Keep it Simple: AI may sometimes use overly complex or technical language. Simplify where necessary to ensure CVs are clear and easy to understand. A CV should be a true reflection of capabilities and experiences.