Latest news with #applicanttracking
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
How to stop your CV getting screened out by bots
As many frustrated job-hunters will testify, searching for a new role can, at times, be pretty soul-destroying. Filling out countless applications is often time-consuming, and rejection is hard to handle – especially if you know you've got the requisite skills and qualifications. The problem is, you may be going up against a horde of applicants, and there's a risk the person who picks up your CV gives it just a few seconds of their attention before relegating it to the 'reject' pile. Worse still, there is evidence to suggest companies are increasingly using AI bots as an initial phase to screen out applicants when hiring. As a result, some people are finding it impossible to make it through to interviews, despite being qualified for the job. Suzie Berry, director of talent acquisition at training business, Flourish said: 'We are hearing from so many of our candidates that applying for jobs in 2025 can feel like shouting into the void. This isn't new but what has changed is who is making the initial decisions.' While this may make for worrying reading, there are steps you can take to ensure your CV and cover letter satisfy what the bots are looking for. Here Telegraph Money takes a closer look at how these tools work – and how to ensure you make it through the initial 'sift': So how do these bots work? The aim of a CV is to give employers a quick way to sort through applicants. But to speed things up, many firms now use what are known as ' applicant tracking systems' (ATS). According to LinkedIn's 2025 Work Change report, a huge 88pc of businesses are now using AI in one way or another to manage the volume of applications they receive – and to improve efficiency within their recruitment processes. Peter Wood, chief technology officer at recruitment agency, Spectrum Search, said: 'Most CVs today are filtered by software before a person ever sees them. If you're applying to a large company or a tech-focused startup, your application is likely scanned by an automated system that checks for keywords and matches against the job description.' Crucially, these tools aren't reading for style or personality. Mr Wood added: 'They focus on things like skills, job titles, qualifications and dates.' These AI bots typically use large language models and are commonly integrated into ATS. James Neave, head of data science at job matching platform Adzuna, said: 'They are able to assess CVs in the context of specific job requirements – typically assigning each candidate a score, where the higher scores are shortlisted for hiring managers to review.' Worryingly, this can mean that if your CV doesn't contain the right keywords – or enough of them – your application could be cast aside before a human being even sets eyes on it. Ms Berry said: 'AI bots will often parse candidates' CVs breaking down the information from this into structured data.' While this approach isn't new, it has evolved significantly in recent years. Ms Berry added: 'What used to involve simply pulling out job titles and dates is now about interpreting tone, inferred skills, and even cultural fit.' Equally, with the rise of AI, some ATS tools are not only screening candidates, but also taking on tasks such as scheduling interviews, and predicting which applicants will be the best fit. Mr Neave said 'Recruiters typically spend seven seconds on average eyeballing a CV to determine whether it's a good fit, while AI bots can review hundreds to thousands of CVs in the same timeframe. With thousands of applications landing in a recruiter's inbox every day, AI bots are able to do the heavy lifting.' So what's the problem? For the genuine candidate trying to prove their suitability, the application process has changed dramatically. Dr Clare Walsh, Director of Education at the Institute of Analytics (IoA), said: 'They may find their value is judged by random criteria that have nothing to do with their suitability. AI parsing tools may also struggle with things such as PDF formats, or with use of column text and other formatting choices.' This could mean that, for example, as a result of you using graphics, or non-standard formatting, some details included on your CV may get skipped altogether. At the same time, many systems find it hard to understand context, which means they may miss transferable skills, career changes – or anything that doesn't fit a strict pattern. And then there's the issue of bias. Ms Gall said: 'These systems aren't perfect. They can disadvantage and overlook talented candidates, especially those who don't speak English as a first language, are neurodiverse, or simply present their experience in a non-traditional way.' Alongside this, there are also real ethical concerns, even if some argue that it reduces human prejudice. University of Washington research found that racial and gender biases in the way AI tools screened applicants. How can you get past the bots? So what can you do to make sure your CV and cover letter navigate these automated gatekeepers? Be sure to mirror keywords from the job ad To improve your chances, you need to tailor your application with the AI algorithm in mind. Ms Gall said: 'Mirror keywords from the job description in your CV and use AI 'CV checkers' or tools such as LinkedIn Premium to see how well you match the role before hitting send.' This is a view shared by Peter Duris, co-founder of Kickresume, a platform for building CVs and covering letters. He said: 'Make sure you include keywords that you have seen in the job description. But take care to do so in a natural-sounding way so that it still makes sense to human readers.' Understanding how 'Applicant Tracking Systems' work Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and do the research to see what will please the bots. Ms Walsh said: 'Practising key word optimisation may well determine your success in, say, applying for a role. It's a new world.' Keep the language clear As these tools often favour familiar phrases and predictable patterns, make sure your skills are clearly spelt out. Mr Wood said: 'It helps to be as direct as possible. Use the same wording you see in the job description where it applies, avoid unexplained acronyms, and make sure key information stands out.' Write out your qualifications in full to help the CV scanner understand exactly which you have, and the level you achieved. Keep job titles and dates simple and consistent. Avoid 'fluff' Don't use AI, as recruiters will see straight through this. Ms Gall said: 'You can't rely on AI to do the work for you. Always make sure your CV truly reflects your skills. If not, any AI-generated 'fluff' that you include will quickly fall apart in an interview or once you're in the role.' Anything that lacks specifics may also be flagged up quickly as suspicious. Remember this: AI excels at creating persuasive but generic content. Always double check for accuracy With technology evolving in this way, it's imperative that every detail of your CV is spot on. Ms Walsh said: 'Overemphasising and embellishing may well be a more dangerous game to play in 2025. Bots are often trained to spot unrealistic achievements and inconsistencies in your story better than a human.' Keep your CV clean If there's one thing to focus on, it's making your CV easy to process. Do this by using simple layouts and standard headings. Ms Berry said: 'It is vital that CVs are easy to read. Clear formatting can mean candidates have more success.' If your CV is a PDF, make sure the text is 'searchable' by a computer using 'optical character recognition' (OCR). There are plenty of online tools available to help with this. Ms Walsh goes a stage further, suggesting that simple word text format may actually be the best option. She said: 'Your CV needs to be machine readable above all else. The visually-creative CVs that would get a human's attention only a few years ago may never get past the robot.' Take care with graphics While your CV can contain visual elements, all the text must be readable so that the ATS or AI tool can scan it. Mr Duris said: 'If your CV contains a visual element, like a chart listing some of your skills, be sure to mention those skills in writing in the body of the PDF.' Make yourself memorable Take steps such as asking for referrals, connecting with the hiring manager, and reaching out on LinkedIn to people who work there. Ms Berry said: 'Outreach has never been more vital. Think about sending something personal. It is this human connection that can overcome the challenges faced by AI screening.' Thinking and acting differently is key to cutting through the noise.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
4 Things That Don't Appear On Your Resume But Get You Hired
A strong resume helps. But it's not the whole picture. By now, you might already know that you shouldn't include a career objective or a lovely headshot when drafting your resume. Instead, you'll want to highlight your professional qualifications and relevant skills directly to be shortlisted and hopefully get the job. Although you can only put limited information in your resume, what doesn't make the cut can be just as important. Here are four things that employers don't usually find on your resume but get you hired. Proactiveness According to StandOut CV, it takes 27 applications to get one interview and 162 job applications to secure a job. So, spontaneously sending hundreds of applications to companies and simply waiting for them to contact you isn't a strategy that works. Staying proactive, from your job search to the interview and even afterward, will make all the difference. Take time to modify your resume based on the role and company you're applying for. By reading the job description thoroughly, you can insert the right keywords in your resume so the applicant tracking system (ATS) can easily find you. Look beyond job postings as well. Some companies don't advertise their job openings, so ask around. If you have a specific company in mind, don't stop simply because there are no career opportunities available. You can send an email to show your interest. They might remember you and reach out should there be an opening. While you're in job-hunting mode, learn new skills to be more ready when the right opportunity comes. After every job interview, make sure to follow up and send a thank-you note. Proactiveness as a work ethic can lead to long-term growth in your career. Your Network Apart from your skills and work experience, you'll need a solid network to increase your chances of getting hired. Start with your family, friends, and even neighbors. Stay in touch with your high school or college classmates, colleagues, and former bosses. Even if they can't recommend a job for you, they might know someone who can. According to a CNBC report, 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So, maximize your time by attending networking events. For example, if you're pursuing a career in tech, don't miss tech conferences, workshops, and even local meetups. Join tech communities and contribute to the discussions. As you expand your network and gain valuable insights, you'll also be closer to scoring a promising job. Creativity Your resume might not be able to fully capture how creative or how much of an asset you are to a company. But this will reflect throughout your application. For example, in your resume, you can say, 'Revamped new hires' training materials by providing simplified maps and interactive quizzes, increasing retention and team productivity.' During the interview, you can expand on how you identified previous pain points and the things your team achieved with your solution. You can also showcase your creativity through your portfolio. If you're a graphic designer or a digital marketing manager, choose pieces that highlight your versatility, expertise in different platforms, and experience with various industries. You can include numbers and real results, such as in engagements and conversions. This way, the company gets a glimpse of the value you bring and why they should hire you. LinkedIn Profile Nearly 70 million companies are on LinkedIn, and every year, over three million get hired on the platform. And an optimized LinkedIn profile is a huge factor in securing a role. That's why I often emphasize the need for a direct and killer headline. In fact, it can lead to a 43% increase in profile views. Remember this formula: Current Title / Key Skills and Industry Keywords / Big Career Win If you're a social media manager, you can format your headline this way: Social Media Manager | Creating Viral Content and Driving Brand Growth | Increased Engagement on TikTok and Instagram by 300% Your summary section should also provide an overview of your professional journey, highlighting your expertise, passion, and ability to deliver measurable results. And go add in your email address so recruiters can reach out! You may not be able to present everything on your resume to secure a position, but each stage of your job hunt and even beyond that is just as crucial. Be proactive and creative, build connections, and don't forget to update your LinkedIn profile. By going the extra mile and staying visible, you'll land the role you deserve. Rooting for you!
