Knowing how to put together a great CV that stands out and portraits you in the best possible way is a key requirement in todayโs job market. To achieve this, applicants have turned to AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to help them craft their CV. That can the biggest CV mistake they make…
An astonishingly high number of hiring managers, as many as 80% in fact, disapprove of AI-generated CVs and cover letters. And don’t think that you can hide the truth from these professionals, as 74% state that they can spot the use of AI in a job application.
You are significantly harming your chances by using generative Ai to write your CV as more than half (57%) of hiring managers are significantly less likely to hire someone, and even dismiss the application, if they recognise the signs of the application being generated by an AI tool.
Guy Thornton, founder of PracticeAptitudeTests.com, notes: โThe problem with relying too heavily on AI for job applications is that many other applicants may have had the same idea.
Stand out of the crowd by avoiding the AI generated CV mistake
โThis means employers have become overwhelmed with AI-written applications that have a lot of similarities, leaving your CV with little chance of standing out. To succeed, you need to show individuality and demonstrate personal skills and experience beyond just copy and pasting.โ
Below, Guy has shared expert tips on how you can make your CV stand out in a world of AI-generated job applications:
Give away words in AI generated CVs
AI tools often use certain words and phrases that can signal to recruiters the involvement of AI. With so many AI-generated applications in circulation, employers are now quick to spot the words that are a clear giveaway.
Examples of common AI-generated language and recommended substitutes:
- Embark – Undertake, tackle
- Enhance – Boost, upgrade
- Skyrocket – Escalate, ascend, surge
- Delve – Investigate, explore, examine
- Adhere – Comply, observe, fulfil
Over floridity
Sometimes, less really is more, especially in CV writing. Research shows that recruiters spend an average of 6โ7 seconds looking at a CV, so itโs important to communicate key details as soon as possible. Wordy and exaggerated language can dilute your message and turn employers off.
When proofreading, ask yourself, Can I say this in fewer words? In todayโs competitive job market, every word should count.
Overuse of metaphors
Avoid using metaphors on your CV. AI models often overuse them, leading to an unclear or overly elaborate result. Employers prioritise clarity and conciseness, so itโs essential to be straightforward.
Instead of saying, โMy determination for success mirrors that of a [metaphor],โ simply state, โI am determined to succeed.โ This communicates your attributes more effectively.
A CV mistake showing you’ve to relied on AI tools:
lack of personal anecdotes
AI doesnโt know you personally, so it canโt inject unique achievements, experiences, or personality traits into your CV as well as you can.
Employers want to understand what you can specifically bring to the table. Mentioning personal projects where you excelled, times you led your team to success, or a tight deadline you met can be the key to landing that all-important interview.
A disconnect between your CV and your interview
If you do manage to secure an interview with an AI-generated CV, any discrepancies between โinterview youโ and โCV youโ can quickly become clear to the interviewer.
When thereโs a disconnect between how you present in the interview versus whatโs on your CV, prospective employers may feel uncertain about hiring you. If you seem different from what the CV suggests, it could cost you the opportunity.
These points highlight the potential risks, but there are also effective ways to use tools like ChatGPT as trusty sidekicks rather than relying on them solely to do all the work:
- Idea generation: Use AI to brainstorm skills and achievements, then refine them to reflect your unique and personal experiences.
- Structure suggestions: Struggling with structure? AI can suggest a professional layout for your CV, which you can then personalise to suit your skills and experience.
- Proofreading: AI tools are useful for spotting grammar and phrasing errors, which will help you polish the final draft.
- Conciseness: You can use AI to streamline lengthy sentences at the end, ensuring each word contributes.
