Right, let's talk about something that's been keeping our tech candidates up at night: CVs that actually get through the door in 2025.
At Forward Role, we've placed hundreds of developers, engineers, and tech leaders this year, and we've noticed some fascinating patterns. The CVs that land interviews aren't just well-written, they're strategically crafted for today's hiring landscape.
So grab a brew, and let's dive into the three trends that are genuinely working for our successful candidates.
1. Your CV Needs to Be Best Mates with AI (But Still Human-Readable)
Here's a sobering fact from our recruitment data: roughly 85% of CVs never make it past the initial screening. That's right...before any human at your dream company even glances at your carefully crafted experience section, an AI system has often already decided your fate.
But here's where it gets interesting. The AI screening in 2025 isn't the same keyword-stuffing game it was a few years back. These AI systems are now analysing context, understanding skill relationships, and even evaluating your writing quality.
What we're seeing work:
- Strategic keyword mirroring: Our successful candidates don't just throw in buzzwords—they use the exact terminology from job descriptions, but weave them naturally into their achievements
- Skills clustering: Instead of a random list, group related technologies together ("Built scalable APIs using Node.js, Express, and MongoDB")
- Quantified wins: AI loves numbers, and so do hiring managers. "Reduced deployment time by 60%" beats "Improved deployment process" every time
The Forward Role insider tip: Why not test your CVs with free ATS checkers like Jobscan or Resume Worded before submitting. It's a potential game-changer that most people skip.
2. AI Experience Isn't Optional Anymore (Even for Backend Devs)
Look, we get it. Not everyone wants to be an AI engineer. But in 2025, showing you're comfortable with AI tools isn't just nice to have, it's absolutely vital.
Many ech roles expect some level of AI familiarity. And we're not talking about adding "ChatGPT" to your skills section (please don't do that). We mean demonstrating how you've actually used AI to solve real problems.
What's impressing hiring managers:
- Productivity gains: "Used GitHub Copilot to accelerate feature development, reducing coding time by 35%"
- Problem-solving: "Implemented AI-powered testing framework that caught 90% more edge cases"
- Innovation: "Built customer support chatbot using OpenAI API, handling 400+ queries daily"
Even if you're a infrastructure engineer or security specialist, show you're not afraid of AI. Mention how you use AI tools for documentation, debugging, or research.
3. Soft Skills That Actually Mean Something
This one's our favourite trend because it's where great candidates really shine. Gone are the days of generic "strong communication skills" bullet points. In 2025, hiring managers want to see your soft skills demonstrated through technical scenarios.
The old way (that just just doesnt cut it anymore):
- "Excellent team player"
- "Strong problem-solving abilities"
- "Great communication skills"
A better way (that gets interviews):
- "Led technical architecture discussions with 12 stakeholders, reducing project timeline by 3 weeks"
- "Mentored 4 junior developers in React best practices, all received promotions within 8 months"
- "Facilitated code review process improvements, cutting production bugs by 45%"
The magic happens when you show soft skills through technical achievements. It proves you can do the job AND work well with others.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The tech hiring market is bouncing back brilliantly, but it's also more competitive than we've seen in years. According to recent Stack Overflow Developer Survey insights, the skills landscape is evolving rapidly. At Forward Role, we're seeing incredible opportunities across all dsciplines, and the candidates landing these roles are the ones who've adapted their approach.
Quick wins you can implement today:
- Run your CV through an ATS checker and optimise for your target roles
- Add at least one example of AI tool usage to your experience
- Rewrite your soft skills bullets to include technical context and measurable results
Ready to Level Up Your Tech Career?
These trends are just the beginning. At Forward Role, we work with the UK's most exciting tech companies, from innovative startups to established scale-ups. We know exactly what they're looking for because we speak to them every day.
Whether you're a frontend developer eyeing your next React role, a backend engineer ready for a new challenge, or a tech lead seeking your next opportunity, we've got the insider knowledge to help you succeed.
Want to chat about your next move? Get in touch with our tech team. We'd love to help you find a role that fits your ambitions and is the right cultural fit too!
