Looking to enter a business career? We hear you. One of the very first impressions you’ll make with an employer is through the presentation and content of your CV. It’s not always an easy document to create, which is why we asked our expert Personal Development Tutor and Careers Advisor, Jo Donelan, to share her professional advice on the need for authentic CV creation, even when using AI tools feels very tempting…..
Know Your Personal Story
Your CV is your personal narrative. Only you can accurately capture your experiences, achievements, and ambitions, as AI tools do not know about these. Using AI to write your CV from scratch risks losing the authentic voice that will set you apart from other candidates.
Highlight Genuine Achievements
Recruiters are looking for specifics — real projects, measurable results, awards, and achievements. Brainstorm everything you can think of as a starting point, then whittle it down to key achievements that demonstrate who you are as a person. AI tools can exaggerate, generalise, or fabricate phrasing, which can lead to uncomfortable inconsistencies during interviews. You don’t want to be in that position in an interview situation with a company you really want to work for, so be careful and cautious about using genuine content.
Tailor Each Application
Every role and employer is different, so your CV should reflect the specific requirements of each opportunity. AI-generated CVs tend to be very generic and often miss the nuances that show why you’re the perfect fit for a particular role.
Demonstrate Self-Reflection
Employers value self-awareness and clarity around career goals. Writing your CV yourself forces you to reflect critically on your strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions — something no AI tool can genuinely replicate. No AI tool will know your personal experience stories, and it’s these that employers and recuiters really want to hear!
Develop Writing and Communication Skills
Crafting your own CV strengthens your ability to articulate experiences clearly and concisely. These communication skills are absolutely crucial for interviews, networking, and professional success. Over-reliance on AI risks limiting your long-term skill development, so embrace and enjoy the writing experience! Writing your CV yourself ensures you can speak confidently and naturally about every point during an interview. If an AI tool writes it for you, you may struggle to explain achievements in a way that truly represents your experience — and employers really can see through this.
Maintain Your Integrity and Authenticity
Your CV is a professional representation of you. AI may unintentionally exaggerate or misrepresent your abilities. Authenticity builds trust with future and potential employers, while misrepresentation can seriously damage your credibility if you are discovered.
Control Your Formatting and Style
A CV isn’t just about what you write – the presentation and layout really does matter. Stick to two pages, use clear headings, allow plenty of white space, and always spellcheck carefully. Designing your own CV allows you to tailor layout and style in a way that reflects both your professionalism and personality.
If you’re studying with us for the Professional Business Diploma, Jo Donelan will support you every step of the way. From personality assessments to help you identify the right career, to crafting a powerful personal statement, Jo’s background as a professional recruiter gives our students a genuine competitive edge in CV creation and presentation.
Find out more about studying for the Professional Business Diploma here.