We get it — job applications are tedious. You spend hours writing and sending off hundreds of applications only to be ghosted by hiring managers. So, to save time, you ask ChatGPT to write your CV and cover letter and send them off. Hey presto, you send off more applications and have more time to yourself. It’s a win-win… or is it?
Our recent CV and Cover Letter Trends Survey found that 80% of hiring managers view obviously AI-generated CVs and cover letters negatively, with 74% claiming they can spot when AI has been used in a job application.
While AI can be a powerful tool in the job search, over-reliance on it could hurt your chances of getting an interview and make you seem dishonest when the interviewer asks you about something on a CV you generated without looking over it.
Our survey also found that 57% of hiring managers are significantly less likely to hire a candidate and may even dismiss the application instantly if they recognise an AI-generated application. It’s not all bad news, though. If used thoughtfully, AI can help polish and improve your CV while still keeping the human authenticity hiring managers want.
We spoke to experts to understand their concerns about AI and provide six ways for you to smartly use AI without hurting your chances.
Why hiring managers dislike AI in CVs and cover letters
Hiring managers value authenticity and the personal touch in job applications. AI-generated content often comes across as generic and impersonal, raising red flags. Chris Percival, Founder & MD of CJPI, notes that ‘generic descriptions and a missing personal touch make it difficult for candidates to stand out.’
AI-reliant CVs and cover letters also cause applicants to appear disconnected from their experiences. As Edward Tian, CEO of GPTZero, highlights, ‘AI-generated cover letters can all end up sounding similar and fail to contain the personal anecdotes employers really want to read.’ According to Tian, employers are looking for more than just a person with the right education and experiences: ‘They pay attention to things like passions, personality, and unique backgrounds in making their decisions.’
It’s critical that you take full ownership of your narrative and accomplishments. Geoffrey Scott, Hiring Manager at Resume Genius, describes how AI-generated content calls into question candidates’ ability to ‘clearly state their credentials.’ He believes that hiring managers value the authenticity of self-created CVs because they show candidates’ ‘investment in the process and their capacity to clearly convey their value proposition.’ AI-generated job material can imply laziness and may suggest to a hiring manager that you won’t put any effort in if you get the job.
Without human supervision and guidance, AI-generated CVs and cover letters can do more harm than good because they can’t reflect your experience and personality, which helps set your application apart from the rest.
How to use AI effectively in your CV and cover letter
AI isn’t inherently bad. Used correctly, it can save time by providing inspiration and pointing out potential improvements. Here’s how to integrate AI into your job application without raising red flags:
1. Don’t let AI do all the work
AI should assist, not replace, your job application efforts. Rob Boyle, Marketing Operations Director at Airswift, warns against the ‘shotgun approach’ that AI can encourage. He says he’ll dismiss applications with obvious AI-generated content because the candidate is likely applying for every job they qualify for, rather than selecting positions that they feel are a good fit.
Boyle argues that ‘this demonstrates a lack of commitment to the process of job applications that does not inspire confidence in that candidate’s potential performance within the workplace if they are hired.’
While using AI to help write your application is acceptable, you should make sure that each one is tailored to the specific role and company.
Explain why you’re the best fit for the position and show you’ve researched the company’s values.
2. Double-check for embellishments or misrepresentations
One of the biggest risks of relying on AI-generated CVs is their inaccurate or exaggerated claims. AI’s tendency to embellish or fabricate achievements and experiences can hurt you during the interview process. Percival notes that when these lies are inevitably discovered, it can raise ‘questions about the candidate’s honesty and integrity.’
You should always fact-check your AI-generated CV and cover letter to ensure everything is accurate. If the AI has added details that are wrong, you should remove them to avoid your application being thrown out on trivial grounds. And if you’re invited for an interview, you should be prepared to back up every claim you make in your application.
3. Add personal touches and specific examples
AI often uses generic phrases, producing CVs and cover letters that sound polished but that lack tangible evidence. Boyle explains that ‘AI-written applications tend to be vague and impersonal. They list the right skills but fail to demonstrate them with specific examples.’
Derek Bruce, HR and Operations Director at First Aid at Work Course, agrees, stating that it often feels like AI-generated cover letters are ‘cut-and-paste jobs’ from the job description: ‘All the required keywords are there, but absent is the applicant’s personal connection to our company’s mission.’
To ensure your application feels authentic and reflects your personality, you need to edit and infuse your own voice and experiences into the application and provide concrete examples of your accomplishments.
4. Keep an eye out for common AI writing habits
AI-generated content often follows similar patterns, such as a simple, formal writing style, the use of repetitive phrases like ‘dynamic landscape’ and ‘fostering’, and consistently starting sentences with ‘by’. Percival says that one dead giveaway of an AI-generated application is an abundance of industry buzzwords that lack real substance or evidence.
When using AI to help write a CV and cover letter, you should read and edit any content the AI has generated, changing words and phrases that appear multiple times or feel out of place.
5. Maintain consistency between CV, cover letter, and interview
Another indicator of AI-generated content is an inconsistent writing tone between the CV and cover letter and an inability to match the persona of an AI-written application in a real-world interview. Lucas Botzen, CEO & HR Expert at Rivermate, shares an example of a candidate who had an ‘absolutely letter-perfect’ cover letter but ‘strained to converse intelligently about particulars mentioned in their application’ during the interview.
You should make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your linguistic patterns and writing style, even if they aren’t perfect. We’re not robots, so the rigid writing style of AI doesn’t sound authentic.
6. Run your CV and cover letter through AI checkers
Some hiring managers use AI-detection tools to spot AI-generated applications. Scott suggests that candidates preemptively check their CVs for AI-flagged content. ‘If your writing is flagged as AI by multiple detection tools, it’s a good idea to make some edits.’
To avoid having your applications thrown out, use multiple AI-detection tools before submitting your applications and edit any flagged sections to ensure they match your voice and style. Even using software like Grammarly can cause writing to be flagged as AI-generated.
Conclusion
AI can be a helpful tool when writing a CV or cover letter, but over-reliance on it can hurt your chances.
Hiring managers aren’t likely to reject your AI-generated job application simply because AI was involved. Instead, they’ll pass on it if it lacks the passion, personality, and unique experiences that showcase your individuality — and may even view it as a sign of insufficient effort.
By using AI mindfully and editing carefully, you can save time and still create an application that highlights your skills and conveys your individuality.
Methodology
The UK CV and Cover Letter Survey mentioned was conducted by CV Genius using Pollfish. The study aimed to understand hiring managers’ and recruiters’ perspectives on CVs and cover letters. The survey was sent out on 22 April 2024 and had a sample size of 625 participants. The sample included in-house employers in a wide variety of industries as well as professional recruiters.
To qualify, respondents had to have been actively involved in hiring people in the UK or Ireland in the past year. The survey ensured a balanced representation across various demographics, including gender and age groups, to accurately reflect the diversity of the British and Irish workforces.
To minimise bias, Pollfish uses Random Device Engagement (RDE) to ensure a fair and organic selection process. For further details on Pollfish’s methodology, please visit their website or reach out to ethan@cvgenius.com.
Sources
- CV Genius, ‘CV & Cover Letter Trends in 2024 (New Data)’
- CV Genius, ‘Recruitment Trends in 2024 (New Survey Data)’
About CV Genius
CV Genius is the go-to resource for UK job seekers of all industries and experience levels.
With an intuitive CV maker, a diverse collection of free industry-specific resources like cover letter examples and CV templates, as well as guides on how to write a perfect CV and cover letter, CV Genius has been featured in multiple renowned publications, such as the BBC, HR.com, MSN, Forbes, and Glassdoor.
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