AI Formatted CVs

 16th Apr 2026

Fake CV’s

 

One of the images below is genuine and the other is a version of something that was genuine.

A keen eye can of course identify the altered version, but can a less-keen eye detect it?

In the last couple of months, we’ve seen a notable rise in AI formatted and tailored CV’s. As a business we see hundreds of CV’s and profiles on a weekly basis and week on week, the volume is increasing. Some are subtle, others are not!

Tailoring a CV for an application is nothing new, we actively encourage it where relevant to do so. But any tailoring should always be based on the factual reality of the applicant’s background and latterly it seems AI produced CV’s have become the way to secure an interview, regardless if the background and experience demonstrated within the CV is factual or not.

Having been matching talent to roles for nearly 20 years, I’ve lost count of the number of CV’s I’ve looked at in my career. One thing rings true – if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Recently I’ve seen job descriptions in CV’s that match adverts word-for-word, applications that meet every single criteria, using the exact same language set out in the criteria.

We’ve received multiple applications from the same people, applying to different jobs, with a different CV for each application. When we’ve spoken to these applicants, its evident they don’t know which job or CV we’re referring to.

This it not intended to be a rant - its never lost on me how difficult it is for job seekers. Often there is so much riding on securing a new role, emotionally, practically, financially, for the applicant and their families. It’s entirely understandable that they would want to maximise their chances of being offered a role and leverage tools to aid those prospects.

But a CV should be yours, not AI’s version of you. You can use whatever poetic license you like to convey your background and experience but please base it on reality.

The more that people use these tools, the more homogenised CV’s become and that is not a good thing. You want your CV to stand out, not blend in. My point is that to a keen eye, unless you truly invest in your CV, you’re more than likely harming your chances by using AI to write or tailor it.

In some scenarios we have AI within ATS’s screening the wrong people in and the right people out!

If this is not curbed – what does the future hold?

Inexperienced TA and HR not screening appropriately, spread too thin over many different hiring requisitions?

Employers and hiring managers wasting countless time interviewing people who don’t have the experience?

Worst case, AI assisted answering in video interviews helps these applicants make it through interview processes and are hired. What then?

In the immediate term, hiring companies can put faith in experienced recruiters like W&A to meet with and build relationships with applicants over time, to meet their peer group, to understand the roles/teams/environments in which they have worked, to reference check, to validate qualifications, to assist in identifying those that are genuine and those that are not.

To job seekers, include role based in achievements in your CV, to show how you have impacted your remit, be proactive in allowing recruiters to speak with previous employers and line managers to help provide some insight into you and your experience.

Good recruiters will be able to help your job search. We can leverage our relationships to influence shortlists and challenge hiring managers perceptions of a CV – ultimately fighting your corner when needed!

I’ll finish by saying I’m an AI enthusiast and overall optimistic about its impact on jobs and skills.

Yes – it’s scary!

Will some jobs be replaced? Definitely!

Will some jobs cease to exist? Very likely.

Will all but a few jobs be lost to AI and robotics? Who knows?

Will my job be lost or replaced????

It also opens up the question about the future of CV’s and truly verifying what experience someone does or does not have.

If there are no jobs, CV’s will no longer matter but for the medium term they will continue to matter, so take care and attention when producing your CV and please – do it yourself, with your own language, and base it on your own background.

Thank you to my two gorgeous girls for helping me illustrate this point.

For any parents with any money left after the Easter school holidays, I recommend Go Ape! The three of us had a blast!