Further to our latest blogs that explained what CV Parsing is and why it’s important to understand how it works… we wanted to help you optimise your CV to increase the chances of passing the A.I. review!

By following the tips below, we hope you’ll be able to get more joy when applying for jobs that use A.I. as part of their recruitment process.

To increase the chances of your CV being selected by an A.I., try and incorporate these tips into your CV:

1.Use Targeted Keywords Strategically

– Research Job Descriptions: Pull keywords directly from job descriptions of roles you’re interested in and focus on the key skills, role specific terminology and relevant soft skills.

– Customise for Each Application: Tailor your CV to highlight these specific keywords.   Don’t just list every skill you have, although you might want to do that on a generic CV, but if you’re tailoring your application then it’s best to focus on the most relevant.

2. Emphasise Relevant Skills and Achievements

– Highlight Quantifiable Results: A.I. scores higher on achievements backed by numbers, such as “reduced costs by 15%” or “increased team productivity by 25%”.  Quantitative results stand out and help A.I. understand the scale of your impact.

– Prioritise Relevant Skills in Prominent Positions: List core skills in a dedicated “Skills” section and repeat the most relevant ones within your work experience.

3. Make Your CV Format A.I. Friendly

– Use a Basic CV Structure and Labels: Use standard headings like “Work Experience”, “Education”, “Skills” and “Key Achievements” and avoid headings that could confuse A.I., such as “About Me” or “My Professional Journey”.

– Use Bullet Points and Consistent Formatting: Bullet points make it easier for A.I. to parse information so stick to simple fonts and avoid complex layouts, pictures, graphics or tables that may disrupt the CV parsing mechanism.

4. Optimise for Synonyms and Related Terms

– Incorporate Different Variants of Key Skills: A.I. systems may recognise synonyms, so using terms like “project management” alongside “program management” could increase the keyword match rates scored by A.I..

– Include specific industry jargon: Use jargon relevant to the role but avoid being overly technical unless it’s highly relevant to the position.

5. Account for Employment Patterns

– Explain Gaps or Unusual Patterns Briefly: If you have gaps, briefly include a reason, like “Freelance Work” or “Travel Sabbatical”, to help contextualise your experience.

– Highlight Career Progression: A.I. notices career growth, so include promotions, awards and milestones to show advancement.

6. Focus on Clear, Action Oriented Language

– Use Strong Action Verbs: Phrases like “spearheaded”, “implemented” and “optimised” make achievements sound impactful.  Avoid passive language or tentative words like “familiar with” to maintain a positive, confident tone.

– Avoid Overusing Buzzwords: A.I. may not give extra weight to buzzwords without context, so ensure they are backed by real accomplishments.

7. List Certifications and Relevant Education

– Include Industry-Standard Certifications: Recognised certifications (e.g., PMP, Six Sigma, CPA) can increase A.I. match scores.  List these in a “Certifications” section to make them easier for A.I. to locate.

– Emphasise Relevant Degrees: If you have advanced degrees or specialised training relevant to the job, place them prominently within the “Education” section.

The world is moving fast and A.I. is moving faster!  Given that we’re just a couple of years into A.I. being commercially available for everyone, it’s prevalence within the recruitment process is only going to grow so, incorporating these ideas into your CV may mean the difference between getting seen by a Hiring Manager, or getting another automated rejection message.

Happy hunting!