AI Can Help You Write a Better CV… But It Could Also Stop You Getting Interviews
Artificial Intelligence has changed the way people search for jobs.
Whether you’re using ChatGPT, Claude or another AI tool, it’s now easier than ever to create a polished CV, write cover letters and prepare for interviews. Used well, AI can be an incredible career coach.
But there’s one mistake we’re seeing more and more often as recruiters and it’s costing candidates interviews before they’ve even had a chance to be considered.
AI Is a Tool, Not a Finished Product
We’re big supporters of using AI to improve your CV.
It can help you:
- Rewrite weak bullet points into achievement-focused statements.
- Tailor your CV to different job descriptions.
- Improve grammar and spelling.
- Identify keywords that help your CV match the role you’re applying for.
- Overcome writer’s block when describing your experience.
These are all fantastic uses of AI.
The problem starts when people copy and paste the finished document without checking how it actually works in the real world.
The Problem Most Candidates Never See
This week, I shared a LinkedIn post about something I encountered while recruiting that reached more than 30,000 views in just two days. It clearly struck a chord because many candidates had no idea this was happening.
I found a candidate whose CV had clearly been created using AI.
On the surface, it probably looked great.
But when it appeared in the job board’s CV database, it hadn’t parsed properly. It didn’t even show on the job board, at all!
Here’s why that’s important.
Many recruiters pay to access CV databases using credits. Depending on the package, every CV they download can cost up to £1 per credit.
If a recruiter can’t easily understand your experience because your CV hasn’t parsed correctly, they may simply move on to the next candidate.
Not because you’re unsuitable.
Because they can’t properly assess your application.
I Nearly Missed a Great Candidate
In this particular case, I only downloaded the CV because I could see the candidate’s employer through the TotalJobs application details.
Out of curiosity, I searched for them on LinkedIn.
Their profile told a completely different story.
They were actually an excellent fit for the role.
Had I relied solely on what the job board displayed, I probably would have skipped over them.
And the reality is, many recruiters wouldn’t have had the time to investigate further.
They’re working quickly.
They’re reviewing hundreds of applications.
They’re managing multiple vacancies.
Sometimes they already have plenty of suitable candidates to interview.
Unfortunately, your CV often has just one opportunity to make a good first impression.
Why This Happens
Many AI tools produce beautifully designed documents using:
- Tables
- Multiple columns
- Text boxes
- Complex formatting
- Hidden layouts
These can look impressive when opened on your own computer.
However, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and job board databases don’t always interpret that formatting correctly.
Instead of reading your CV as intended, they can jumble sections together, lose important information or display your employment history in the wrong order.
The result?
A recruiter may struggle to understand your experience in the few seconds they spend reviewing your profile.
The Bottom Line
AI is transforming recruitment, and it’s here to stay.
The candidates who will benefit most aren’t the ones letting AI do all the work.
They’re the ones using AI as an assistant while applying their own judgement, experience and common sense.
A well-written CV is only valuable if employers can actually read it.
So embrace AI. Use it to make your application stronger.
Just make sure technology isn’t getting in the way of the opportunities you’re trying to create.