A common problem repeatedly voiced by hiring managers is that many professionals feel CVs are becoming too standardised, devoid of personal touches, and overly reliant on automation. Ryan Ollerenshaw, co-founder of Consortia and an expert in UX recruitment, recently sparked a lively conversation on LinkedIn about how to address these challenges. His original post centred on the idea that CVs lack personality, which diminishes their impact. What followed was a broader discussion, encompassing everything from the use of AI in recruitment to the future of CVs, featuring noteworthy perspectives from a broad range of professionals.
The Problem: Lack of Personalisation in CVs
One of the primary concerns discussed is how CVs lose their individuality due to automation. Nathan Connolly, CEO of Consortia, pointed out that part of the problem is that some tools in the recruitment technology space take a CV, chop it up, and standardise it, robbing it of the unique elements that make it stand out. Automation may save time, but it can strip away individuality, which is critical to making a lasting impression on potential employers.
Matthew Patrick, a data scientist, echoed this concern, stating, "It's all machine vs machine these days. If you want this to change, stop using ATS, which matches keywords." Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become a double-edged sword. While they help sift through vast numbers of applications, they can reduce candidates to keywords, overlooking the human element and potentially missing less obvious matches.
Why Being Yourself Matters More Than Ever
So despite the rise of automation in recruitment, the importance of showcasing your personality on a CV remains. While there is rightly some concern that showing personality can lead to bias, the truth is that being authentic can help you stand out, build connections, and demonstrate the soft skills employers value.
Ryan's advice on how to achieve this is simple and clear:
- Use conversational language: Keeping the tone informal can create a more personal connection with hiring managers.
- Ditch the jargon: Simplicity and clarity will convey your message more effectively than many buzzwords.
- Be authentic: Don't just list your achievements—share who you are as a person.
Asaf Maron, a travel industry executive, noted that including a personal statement about what drives him, at the top of his CV, as helped him make better connections. As he put it, "We're not just hiring skills; we're hiring people."
The Role of AI in CV Screening: Friend or Foe?
One of the most exciting points raised in the conversation was the role of AI in the future of CVs. Nathan Connolly speculated that custom GPT models built on your CV, portfolio, and LinkedIn activity could handle initial screening for recruiters. While this could streamline the process, it's also a stark reminder of how far recruitment has moved towards automation.
Stephen Aris, a user experience expert, pointed out that, without a user interface, AI systems could handle tasks like screening candidates, booking interviews, and even onboarding new hires. This could make recruitment faster and more efficient, but it also raises the question: How much personality can a machine capture?
Mike Betts, a CPO in generative AI, added that job screening could soon be entirely bot-to-bot, making CVs obsolete. While this might sound futuristic, the reality is that AI is already transforming how we approach recruitment, from keyword matching to automated interviews. However, Simon Hunt, a CTO and CPO, cautioned that relying solely on ATS to filter candidates is "inhumane." He emphasised that hiring is a life-changing event for candidates and companies alike, and the least recruiters can do is manually review CVs to avoid oversights.
Hobbies, Fun Facts, and Video CVs: Yay or Nay?
The topic of adding hobbies or fun facts to a CV sparked some debate about their relevance today. Tom Pollock, a recruiter specialising in AI, noted that while hobbies and interests are noticeably disappearing from CVs, they can still serve as great icebreakers during interviews. Although their relevance on a CV was questioned in today’s job market, Ryan agreed that anything that adds personal touches, such as hobbies, can help candidates stand out in a sea of similar applications.
Another novel idea came from Krystian Szachno, who proposed the use of video CVs. While Ryan acknowledged that video introductions could be beneficial, he also noted that videos take longer to process than written CVs. However, an introductory video paired with a concise CV could offer the best of both worlds—speed and personalisation, so it might be an idea to watch.
The Future of CVs: Beyond the Template
As recruitment continues to evolve, many experts agree that CVs, in their traditional format, may become a thing of the past. Stephen Aris suggested that we should consider scrapping the CV altogether, as it's becoming less fit for purpose in the modern job market. Oleksandr Tymoshenko, a React Native developer, highlighted the tension between wanting to stand out and conforming to templates that ensure important contributions are seen.
Ultimately, the future of recruitment lies in accepting a combination of AI and human insight. While AI can handle the heavy lifting of filtering candidates, it’s up to recruiters or hiring managers to ensure that individuality and the human side aren’t lost. Sergei Golubev, a UX designer and entrepreneur, summed it up perfectly: "Start with content first, then add chrome and bells'n'whistles." This approach ensures that, whether you’re using AI or not, the core message of your CV—who you are as a person—remains intact.
Conclusion: Embracing Both Technology and Humanity
As you update your CV, consider how much of your personality shines through in your application. While AI will undoubtedly continue to play a significant role in recruitment, the final decision is still made by people. So, ask yourself: What personal touch have you added to your CV? As the future of recruitment becomes increasingly automated, individuality and authenticity will remain your greatest assets in standing out from the crowd.