Crafting Standout CVs for the AI Age

Tom

Alright, welcome back to the Guide to Job Searching! I’m Tom, and as always, I’m joined by Emily. Today, we’re getting into something that, honestly, can make or break your job search — crafting a standout CV, especially now that AI and those Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are the first gatekeepers for most roles.

Emily

Hi everyone! Lovely to be back. And Tom, you’re right — it’s not just about listing your jobs and hoping for the best anymore. The way your CV is structured, the words you use, even the order you put things in, all matter so much more now. We’ve touched on this in earlier episodes, especially when we talked about adapting to the digital AI era, but today we’re really going to dig into the nuts and bolts of it.

Tom

Yeah, and I think a lot of people still imagine someone is sitting there, reading every CV from top to bottom. But let’s be honest, most of the time it’s a computer doing the first pass. So, if you’re not tailoring your CV — using the right keywords, matching the job description — you might not even make it to a real person’s desk. One thing to remember is that your CV is not your autobiography—it's a strategic snapshot. Most hiring managers spend anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds scanning a CV, and that’s if it even gets to them. These days, an AI will often screen your CV first, pulling out keywords and filtering candidates before a human even sees it. By the time it lands on a recruiter’s desk, they can usually tell—just from your professional statement, key skills, and the flow of your experience—whether you’re interview material. So make every word count. It’s less about telling your whole story and more about showing why you’re the right person for this job.

Emily

And that’s what we’re here for today — to help you make sure your CV gets noticed, not just by the robots, but by the humans too.

Emily

So, let’s start with personalisation. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but honestly, tailoring your CV for every single job is non-negotiable these days. Recruiters are using AI and ATS to filter out anything that doesn’t match what they’re looking for, and that means generic CVs just don’t cut it anymore.

Tom

and I think people sometimes underestimate how much those systems are looking for specific things. It’s not just about your experience, it’s about how you present it. If the job description says they want someone who’s “collaborative” and “data-driven,” and you haven’t got those words in your CV, you might get filtered out before anyone even sees your name.

Emily

Absolutely. And it’s not just about keywords, either. It’s about showing you understand the company’s values. I remember working with a client — she was applying for a role at a company that really emphasised sustainability and community. We rewrote her CV to highlight her volunteer work and her passion for environmental projects, and she landed an interview within a week. It wasn’t that her experience changed; it was just how we framed it to match what the employer cared about.

Tom

For sure, and it’s worth investing time researching the company — look at their website, their mission statement, even their social media. You can pick up on the language they use and reflect that in your application. It can also help you to identify areas they are trending in, which can make for some great discussion points at an interview. Small things, but they can really make a difference. and could even give you that winning edge.

Emily

It also demonstrates you’ve put in the effort, which always stands out. So, if you take one thing away from this it’s: do not, I'll repeat, please do not, send the same CV to every job. Make it personal, make it purposeful, make it relevant.

Tom

Alright, so let’s talk about what goes into a great CV. First off, you want your contact details right at the top — sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to update their email or phone number. Then, a professional summary that’s short, sharp, and tailored to the role. Ideally, this statement should be between 75-110 words and contain the job role title on the first line. So for instance. When writing your CV, especially the professional statement at the top, it's super important to mention the job title and the company name you're applying to. Why? Because not only does it show the employer—and any AI screening of your CV—that you’ve actually read the job description, but it also signals that you’ve tailored your experience specifically for that role. For example, instead of just saying ‘I’m a marketing professional with 5 years of experience,’ you might write: ‘As a seasoned digital marketer, I’m excited to apply for the Social Media Manager position at BrightSpark Agency, bringing five years of targeted campaign experience and a proven track record of increasing engagement.’ That little tweak can make a big difference!

Emily

They're some great tips, and then you want to highlight your relevant skills — and I mean relevant. If you’re applying for a data analyst role, don’t lead with your customer service skills, unless they’re specifically asking for that. And when it comes to achievements, try to make them quantifiable. Instead of saying “improved sales,” say “increased sales by 20% in six months.” It’s so much more impactful.

Tom

Definitely. And keep the formatting clean. No fancy graphics, no wild fonts. No text boxes or columns. No pictures. I know it’s tempting to make your CV look ‘creative’, but a lot of ATS systems can’t read those elements and might just skip your CV entirely. Stick to clear headings, bullet points, simple fonts such as Calibri or Aptos.

Emily

And If you’ve got gaps in your CV, don’t stress. Just be honest—and if you can, show what you did during that time. For example, if you were caring for an elderly relative, that might involve organising appointments, coordinating with healthcare providers, even managing budgets—all valuable, transferable skills. Employers today are much more open to this, especially post-pandemic. The key is to frame those experiences in a way that shows how they add value to the role you’re applying for.

Tom

Yeah, and when you're reading the job description, take a good look at what’s listed as essential versus desirable. You don’t have to tick every single box to apply. Focus on the must-haves—those essential skills are usually the ones you need to do the job well, often technical or role-specific. But hey, if they list 10 essentials and you’ve got 9? Don’t write yourself off. It’s totally okay to reach out and ask if they’d consider someone who’s just missing one or two—especially if you’re willing to learn. A lot of employers are open to training the right person, so it’s always worth the conversation.

Emily

So, let’s get into strategic presentation. This is where those keywords from the job description really come into play. You want to weave them naturally into your CV, not just dump them in a list. That way, you’re ticking the ATS boxes and showing the hiring manager you actually understand what the job’s about.

Emily

And when you’re looking at examples of strong CVs and cover letters, notice what makes them work. Usually, it’s clarity, relevance, and a bit of personality. We can’t share real CVs here, but imagine one where the achievements are specific, the skills match the job, and the cover letter actually talks to the company’s values. That’s what you’re aiming for.

Tom

And before you hit send on that CV, here’s a quick top 10 checklist to keep you on track: 1 Spelling and grammar – It sounds obvious, but typos can cost you interviews. Run a spellcheck, then have a friend give it a once-over. 2. - Graphics and pictures – Unless you're in a creative field, skip them. Most applicant tracking systems (ATS) can’t read images, so they might actually work against you. 3.- Avoid being too general – Vague statements like ‘hard worker’ or ‘team player’ don’t say much. Use specific examples and results wherever you can. 4. - Easy-to-read fonts and layout – Keep it clean and simple. No fancy fonts. Think clarity, not creativity. 5.- It’s not an autobiography – Stick to what’s relevant. You’re selling your fit for this role, not telling your life story. 6. -Don’t leave it all to AI – Sure, AI tools can help polish things up, but make sure you understand and stand behind every word on your CV. 7 - Avoid exaggeration or being misleading – Getting caught out at interview stage (or worse, on the job) can seriously hurt your credibility. 8. - Don’t leave unexplained gaps – If you took time out, just say so briefly—and highlight anything you did during that time that adds value. 9.- Skip irrelevant personal info – No need to include your full address, date of birth, or hobbies unless they directly relate to the role. and finally 10 and super important, Tailor each and every CV – Generic CVs get generic results. Make sure your CV speaks directly to that job and that company.”

Emily

That’s our top ten, really. And if you can tick all those boxes, you’re in a great position. Next time, we’ll be diving into how exactly to use the AI tools to help us

Tom

Brilliant. Thanks for joining us, Emily — and thanks to everyone listening. We’ll see you next time for more tips on landing that dream job. Take care!

Emily

Thanks, Tom! And thanks everyone — good luck with those CVs, and we’ll catch you in the next episode. - Bye for now