Using CV AI to Transform Your Job Applications: A Guide

What is CV AI and how does it work?

The growth of tools and resources offering CV AI reflects a wider growth in the influence of AI in our work and everyday lives. AI tools can offer various solutions to help you write, edit, analyse and optimise your CV, so it's as relevant as possible for the job you're applying for.

Many AI CV tools use machine learning techniques such as Natural Language Processing, drawing on vast amounts of available data to predict or edit text based on job titles and job descriptions. For example, an AI assistant could suggest relevant keywords or skills for a project manager CV by analysing massive quantities of project manager related data available online.

A CV AI tool is likely to offer grammar checks, formatting options and keyword optimisation. This can help to enhance the readability and relevance of a CV that's already been written. The tools may also be able to generate text purely based on a job title, such as suggested skills and experience, or even draft an impactful CV summary. These tools can help your CV to pass the ATS screening stage by making them as relevant as possible to the job description, while also making both your CV and cover letter more engaging for readers.

Benefits of using AI to build your CV

Using AI to assist with your CV writing offers various benefits in the UK job market. With vacancies routinely receiving hundreds of applications, enhancing your CV with AI could go a long way to differentiating you from other candidates. Here are some of the key benefits of AI CV maker tools:

How to make the most of an AI CV builder

Follow these tips to make the most of an AI CV builder and gain an advantage with your job applications:

• Use an existing CV as a starting point: Rather than rely on AI to generate most or all of your CV draft, start with an existing CV template, or input your own text first, allowing AI to make improvements and enhancements to your content.
• Be specific about your target job title: AI CV tools typically suggest content based on the job title of the role you're applying for. Be as specific as possible when assigning a job title to your CV.
• Use tools to draft content, not create the final product: AI CV makers aren't designed to create complete CVs, and if you use them for this, you're unlikely to be successful. Remember, AI is there to assist you, not do the work for you.
• Edit AI-generated text for tone and authenticity: If an AI assistant creates suggested text for your CV, make sure you edit and amend it to create a more authentic, personalised human tone of voice.
• Check for UK spelling and grammar, and local conventions: AI CV makers may default to US English, so be aware of this and correct any errors in spelling and grammar to UK English. Also be aware of industry norms and professional standards, and amend your text where necessary to adhere to these.
• Be proactive rather than passive with your use of AI: A proactive mindset is crucial for successful utilisation of AI CV making tools. That means carefully considering auto-generated text, and not passively accepting AI suggestions.
• Tailor AI-generated content to specific roles and companies: Tailored, company-specific content makes for a more engaging CV, but AI tools are unlikely to offer this. Reference the specific role and the hiring company in your CV, to avoid it becoming too generic and reducing its impact.

Common pitfalls to avoid when using AI for your CV

Despite the potential of AI to transform your CV and improve your chances of job application success, it's important to be aware of its potential limitations and pitfalls, and the ways you can avoid them:

• Generic or unnatural language: Over-reliance on AI can result in a CV that contains generic language or an unnatural, robotic tone. This will do nothing to help your CV stand out, and is, in fact, more likely to harm your chances of success. Always tailor any content generated or suggested by AI tools to match your tone of voice and professional and industry conventions.
• Ethical/legal concerns: Using AI tools to generate content wholesale for your CV can result in false, exaggerated or misleading claims. Be as specific as possible with your inputs, and be sure to edit any content AI tools suggest that doesn't reflect your experience, skills and achievements.
• Risks of AI-generated content being flagged by recruiters or ATS: If you rely too much on AI-generated content for your CV, you risk being flagged by ATS CV screening systems, many of which can detect AI content. You may also arouse suspicion in recruiters, who read hundreds of CVs and will be familiar with the tell-tale signs of AI. Always ensure you're using AI to support your own work, rather than letting it take the lead with your CV.
• Lack of personal storytelling or human emotion in content: There's a risk of AI CVs becoming too generic and impersonal. Over-use of AI could lead to a lack of personal storytelling and human emotion. While you'll want your CV to remain professional, it's still essential to convey elements of your personality, as well as describing your personal experience.
• Using AI when the job advert says not to: Always check the job advert for any warnings against using AI in your application. While many employers and recruiters are becoming more open to the use of AI, some may still prefer guarantees that your application is all your own work.

How UK recruiters view AI-generated CVs

AI is becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday lives. Its influence is also seeping into may areas of the workplace. However, in the UK, wholesale acceptance of the use of AI for work tasks and job applications has certainly not yet arrived. There's likely to be significant variation between employers, recruiters and industry sectors regarding the use of AI in your CV, so you should proceed with caution when using it.

For the UK market, recruiters will generally expect to see authentic, personalised applications that provide an insight into your human qualities as well as your technical expertise. This is where over-use of AI could see your applications come unstuck. If your CV is too generic or uses whole bullet points or paragraphs generated by AI, expect your recruiter or hiring manager to spot this.

Going further, if your CV includes AI-generated lies about your experience and achievements, being disqualified from the running could be the least of your concerns. Lying on a CV is potentially a fraudulent activity in the UK, so you may even be committing a crime by allowing AI-generated content into your CV that bears little or no resemblance to your actual experience.

Always strive to use AI as a tool to enhance your own work, and not as the foundation for your CV. When using AI-generated suggestions, tailor them to the role, the employer and your personal experience. This approach will give you a far better chance of success than if you rely on AI to generate significant portions of your CV.

With vacancies routinely receiving hundreds of applications, enhancing your CV with AI could go a long way to differentiating you from other candidates.

The future of CV writing - human + AI collaboration

While AI has not yet become universally accepted as a CV writing tool, it's not going away any time soon. Advances in AI technology are constantly leading to new, more powerful tools to assist both jobseekers with their job search and employers with their hiring process.

Human judgement and emotional intelligence will always play a key role in your job search activities. AI can't replace your personality, your intuition or your understanding of your unique qualities. For those reasons, we shouldn't expect AI to take over the job application process from humans entirely.

However, over time we might expect automation and machine learning to relieve the burden of some of job seeking's more time-consuming and arduous tasks. The efficiency with which AI can automate tasks or carry out repetitive, time-consuming activities in the wider world of work is already reaping benefits for many people and organizations, and this could translate to the job search experience.

Whether it's identifying suitable vacancies, highlighting relevant job description keywords or helping candidates prepare for interviews, the power of AI is there for jobseekers to tap into if they approach it the right way. When it comes to writing an impactful CV, this means maintaining a balance and using AI as a support tool, not a replacement for your own effort and expertise.

How to use CVwizard's AI CV builder?

With CVwizard's AI-powered CV maker, crafting a professional CV has never been easier. Simply enter your desired job position, and our AI automatically generates personalized suggestions for your resume profile, skills, qualities, achievements, hobbies, and languages, all tailored to match your career goals and the app's selected language. For your work experience, education, internships, and courses, just type in your position title or degree/course name, and our AI will instantly provide a curated list of impactful bullet points. Select your favorites to effortlessly highlight your strengths.

Key takeaways for using AI for your CV

Using AI to enhance and refine your CV can help you make a stronger, more positive first impression with the reader. However, it's important not to rely too heavily on AI to generate content for your CV and it's essential to add a tailored, personal touch that highlights your best qualities. Using a CV maker like CVwizard can help you harness AI to create a professional CV that stands out. Sign up today to access CV examples and cover letter templates that can improve your chances of job application success.