How AI is changing the hiring process
AI-powered applicant tracking systems now screen CVs for most roles at large organisations before a human sees them. These systems look for keyword matches against job descriptions, assess formatting and structure, and in some cases rank candidates using ML models trained on historical hiring decisions. This means your CV must be legible to both the ATS and the human who sees it after the initial screen — the two requirements sometimes conflict.
AI screening tools are also used for first-round video interviews at some organisations (HireVue and similar), where your responses are analysed against criteria without initial human review. These tools have faced criticism for bias and validity, and some organisations have moved away from them after negative publicity, but they remain in use at enough companies to be relevant.
Writing a CV for an AI-screened market
Use standard formatting: clear section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills), standard fonts, no text boxes or graphics that ATS software cannot parse. Use keywords from the job description naturally throughout your CV — not keyword-stuffed in a visible way, but reflected in how you describe your experience. Match the specific language the employer uses: if the JD says "stakeholder management," use that phrase rather than a synonym. Quantify your achievements wherever possible (ATS tools and human reviewers both respond to numbers). Keep formatting clean: two pages maximum, bullet points rather than paragraphs, consistent date format.
AI CV tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Resume.io, Kickresume) can help generate first drafts and tailor your CV to specific job descriptions. The best approach: write your master CV with all your experience, then use AI to generate a tailored version for each specific role by providing the job description and asking for the CV to be adapted to highlight the most relevant experience. Review the output carefully — AI tools sometimes remove important context or add generic language that weakens the document.
How to stand out in a competitive market
The job search activities that generate the most successful hires are network-driven. The majority of positions (particularly at senior levels) are filled through referrals and direct outreach before or instead of open applications. Building and maintaining professional relationships in your field is not just useful — for competitive roles it is often the primary differentiator. LinkedIn has become more important as a career infrastructure platform: a well-maintained LinkedIn profile with active engagement in your professional community generates inbound interest that cold applications rarely match.
Demonstrate your work visibly. For technical roles, a GitHub portfolio of real projects. For commercial roles, case studies of specific outcomes you drove. For creative roles, a portfolio website. For any role, thought leadership writing that demonstrates your thinking about your field. In a market where AI can generate a plausible-sounding cover letter for any role, demonstrating genuine expertise and perspective through visible work output is the clearest signal of authenticity.