Before you blame AI, fix your CV

Last week, I had an interesting discussion with Stella Da Silva, one of the founders of DeskPark, a premium coworking space that offers flexible workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and a vibrant business community designed for startups. The discussion revolved around one of my previous articles that is titled “Your CV is read by robots, not humans.'
Stella, who also delivers employability skills sessions covering CVs, interview preparation, LinkedIn optimisation, and wider soft skills, stated to me that while ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) do filter CVs, they don’t actually “reject people” on their own. ATS simply ranks and organises applications, with the final decision still made by a human.
The message reinforced a point I strongly agree with: the real issue isn’t robots versus humans, but rather poor CV structure and unclear value. A CV that is clear, relevant, uses the right keywords naturally, and focuses on outcomes that pass both the system and the recruiter. It also added an important reminder that relying only on online applications limits opportunities. Networking and visibility still matter just as much. In short, we should not blame AI but rather fix our CV to get an opportunity for an interview. My article this week focuses on just that.
We often hear people say, “It’s hard to get a job in the AI era.” While that’s partly true, it’s a convenient excuse, because in many cases, the issue isn’t the market but how candidates present themselves.
Your CV today is more than a document. It’s your first impression, your digital pitch, and your filter test—all at once. Before you even get a chance to speak, your CV has already spoken on your behalf. If it’s unclear, generic, or poorly structured, it doesn’t matter how talented you are. You are simply not getting through, trust me. The reality is simple: a poor CV is one of the biggest reasons people don’t get shortlisted. Something I totally agree with, as Stella noted.
Most CVs fail because they focus on what someone did, not what they achieved. There’s a big difference between “managed a team” and “led a team that increased revenue by 25%.” One is a task. The other is impact. And in today’s competitive environment, impact is what stands out. People or organisations per se don't care who you are as much as what you did and what you will do for them.
Another common mistake is lack of relevance. Sending the same CV to multiple roles and/or opportunities might save time, but it significantly reduces your chances. Employers and the systems they use are looking for alignment. If your CV doesn’t reflect the language, skills, and priorities of the job, it simply won’t rank high enough to be noticed, period!
Structure is another silent killer. A cluttered CV makes it difficult for both systems and recruiters to extract key information. If someone has to “work” to understand your profile, they won’t. They’ll move on. Trust me, this comes directly from a number of HR directors I know personally.
So how does one fix this?
First, start with clarity. Keep your CV clean, structured, and easy to scan. Use clear headings, logical flow, and concise bullet points. Think simplicity, not complexity. Yes, KISS: Keep it simple and standard.
Secondly, shift your focus to results. Every role you list should answer one question: what difference did you make? Use numbers where possible. Growth percentages, cost savings, and efficiency improvements. These are information signals of value.
Thirdly, tailor your CV by aligning it with each role so it dramatically increases your chances. That can be done by studying the job description, identifying key terms, and finally reflecting them naturally in your content.
Fourth, highlight skills that matter. Technical skills are important, but don’t underestimate soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and problem-solving. These are increasingly valuable in a world where AI handles routine tasks. You, as a professional, do more!
Fifth, try and show progression. Employers want to see growth. Even small steps forward matter. They show ambition, learning, and momentum.
Lastly, don’t rely on your CV alone. As Stella rightly pointed out, visibility matters. Networking, personal branding, and building a presence can surely open doors that a CV alone cannot.
To conclude, yes, robots will increasingly take over the first line of CV reviews. But that’s not the threat most people think it is. The real divide won’t be between humans and AI; it will be between those who communicate their value clearly and those who don’t. A well-crafted CV doesn’t get blocked by the system—it gets amplified by it. So the question isn’t whether AI will impact your chances but whether your CV is strong enough to rise through it.