The Do's & Don'ts Of Using AI To Create Your CV

AI CV generators are everywhere. Pop onto LinkedIn, and you'll see ads for tools promising to "create your perfect CV in minutes." Chat with any jobseeker, and half of them are either using AI tools or wondering if they should be. 

At Forward Role, we review hundreds of CVs every week, and we're seeing the full spectrum, from brilliant AI-assisted applications to painfully obvious bot-generated ones. AI can be a powerful ally in your job search, but it can also be a career-damaging liability if you get it wrong. 

So, here’s our do’s and don’ts, and how to get the best out of AI for creating your CV! 

AI-Powered CV Generators 

Here's what's happening right now: millions of job seekers are using AI-powered CV builders, while at the same time most companies & recruitment agencies are now using AI tools for hiring. It's AI meeting AI, which sounds cool in theory but actually does create some fascinating complications in practice. 

One challenge is that some companies do not tolerate AI use from candidates, and employers are actually using AI detectors to automatically reject CVs based on tell-tale signs of AI usage. 

Welcome to the new job search reality: you need to be smart about AI, not just reliant on it. 

The DO's: 

DO Use AI for Initial Drafting and Structure 

AI tools can generate CV’s quickly by automatically extracting relevant information from your professional profiles, which is genuinely useful when you're staring at a blank page.  

The Smart Approach: Use AI to create a first draft, then heavily edit and personalise it. 

DO Leverage AI for Search Optimisation 

AI algorithms analyse relevant job postings, and match relevant keywords and skills to help users build a tailored CV, making your resume more searchable for recruiters and hiring managers. This is where AI genuinely excels, pattern recognition and keyword optimisation. 

The Smart Approach: Use AI tools to identify which keywords from job descriptions you should incorporate, then weave them naturally into your own experiences. 

DO Use AI for Grammar and Polishing 

AI can instantly catch spelling and grammar issues and fix them for you, which is invaluable. Even brilliant candidates can have their applications binned for basic errors. But obviously make sure that if you are UK applicant, the spelling and grammer is not Americanised. That is a big AI giveaway. 

The Smart Approach: Write your content first, then use AI for proofreading and refinement. 

DO Use AI to Generate Multiple Versions 

AI excels at helping you tailor your CV for different roles quickly. This is particularly valuable when you're applying for similar positions at different companies. 

The Smart Approach: Create a master CV, then use AI to help you emphasise different aspects for different opportunities. 

Use AI as Your Assistant, Not Your Author! 

The most successful approach we're seeing combines AI efficiency with human authenticity: 

The DON'Ts 

DON'T Let AI Write Your Personal Statement 

We can spot AI-generated personal statements from across the office. They're stuffed with phrases like "leveraging my extensive experience to drive innovative solutions" and other corporate word salads that screams "a bot wrote this." 

Employers can tell if someone used AI by the language of the application materials, including certain keywords like pivotal or delve. 

DON'T Use AI for Experience Descriptions Without Heavy Editing 

AI loves buzzwords. Statistics show that six in ten recruiters think using too many buzzwords is job seekers' biggest mistake on their CV, while 45% say the biggest mistake is too much jargon. 

If every bulletpoint sounds like it came from a corporate mission statement, you've gone too far. 

DON'T Trust AI with Technical Details 

AI can hallucinate skills, technologies, and even job responsibilities. We've seen CVs claiming experience with software that didn't exist during the candidate's employment dates. 

Technical inaccuracies can stop your application at the first stage, it’s also certainly not something you want to be asked about in an interview either, especially in our sectors (Marketing, Digital, Data & Technology). 

DON'T Submit Without Human Review 

AI-generated CVs often exhibit inconsistencies in formatting, such as erratic font styles, spacing issues, or unusual alignment. These formatting issues are dead giveaways. 

DON'T Use AI for Industry-Specific Terminology 

AI often misuses technical terms or applies them incorrectly. In specialised fields like data science or digital marketing, this immediately flags you as either inexperienced or dishonest. 

Red Flags That Scream "AI Generated" 

Based on what we're seeing in recruitment, here are the dead giveaways: 

The Future-Proof Approach 

The future of CV writing is inseparably linked with artificial intelligence, but that doesn't mean letting AI do all the work. The winners will be those who use AI tools intelligently whilst maintaining their authentic professional voice. 

AI CV tools aren't inherently good or bad, they're powerful tools that can either enhance your application or sabotage it, depending on how you use them. 

The candidates landing interviews are those who use AI strategically: for structure, optimisation, and polish, while keeping their own voice, experiences, and personality at the centre.  

Remember: Your CV needs to pass two tests, the AI screening systems that filter applications, and the human hiring managers who ultimately make decisions. Balance is everything. 

Working With Forward Role 

At Forward Role, we work with candidates every day to help them present their best professional selves. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to navigate the increasingly complex world of AI-assisted job searching. 

Want to discuss your CV strategy or support finding your next Marketing, Digital, Data or Technology role? Get in touch with our team.