When it comes to CV or résumé writing, AI is producing the exact opposite of what is required by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). In this video, I explain some of the reasons AI could be sabotaging your job applications.

AI is creating beautiful CVs and résumés that are colourful, decorative and totally unsuitable for the applicant tracking system (ATS), also called CV scanning software. The ATS system requires the complete opposite to what AI is providing - your CV should be plain and simple, black and white, laid out in one column on 2 - 3 pages.

Job seekers face a unique challenge: not only must their CVs (or résumés) impress human hiring managers, but they must also pass through...

The modern job market is a complex, highly competitive landscape. As a job seeker, you invest a significant amount of time and effort...

Before your CV ever reaches the discerning eyes of hiring managers, it must first navigate its way through the formidable ATS gatekeeper. The Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, acts as this gatekeeper, serving as the initial filter in the hiring process. It's a powerful, automated tool used by countless companies to manage the overwhelming influx of job applications.

It's CRUCIAL to optimise your CV for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), also called the CV Scanner. These articles explain more: ...

The software scans your CV for certain information and ignores other types of information. I see a lot of CVs that are never going to pass the ATS, which is why I ALWAYS recommend a rewrite.

our CV should be easy to read with no massive blocks of text, no color or images, no borders, weird fonts, or other unnecessary frills. The software is designed to scan for specific keywords and phrases, so it is crucial to use relevant keywords and phrases that match the job description.

Some employers use CV scanners or scanning software to digitally eliminate unsuitable contenders, while others still use humans who dedicate less than twenty seconds to reading each CV/Résumé.

Here are my top tips for beating the ATS scanner – Simple formatting is CRUCIAL, don’t use multiple columns or other weird formatting – Your CV/Résumé must be a Word doc, not PDF – Include key words in a sensible way, don’t resort to tricks like teeny tiny fonts or white text on a white background, that’s just silly nonsense