Common AI CV Tells Jobseekers Need to Know

There are a few red flags that may indicate your CV was generated, or heavily edited, by AI:

• Overly polished, repetitive language

  Bullet points like ‘Managed integration strategies,’ repeated sentence structures, or fancy words like ‘relentless’ without personal context. That uniform tone is a hallmark of AI writing.
  

• Generic achievements

  Vague statements like ‘improved company performance’ without numbers or context can ring hollow. Genuine CVs often feature specifics tied to the candidate’s experience.
  

• Skill-mismatch

  Listing advanced skills (e.g., Python in a marketing CV) may point to automated content generation.
  

• Lack of personal anecdotes

  A CV that feels templated (missing employer names, worked projects, or individual contributions) lacks authenticity.

UK recruiters are growing cautious: many report seeing homogeneous AI-generated submissions with minimal personality or individual detail. Some organisations (e.g., Deloitte, EY, KPMG) have issued explicit guidance against AI use in applications. 

That said, AI detection tools remain unreliable. Some studies show less than 70% accuracy and bias against non-native writers. 

Rather than relying on detectors, employers assess consistency, credibility, and context. A well-customised, human-centred CV still wins.

Yes. Employers are getting frustrated with ‘sea of sameness’ applications. When many candidates use AI in the same way, submissions become monotone and indistinguishable. Recruiters are responding with psychometric tests, structured interviews, and deeper vetting. 

Plus, CV exaggeration or falsification (even if AI-assisted) can cost you offers or even legal consequences. UK studies show 1 in 5 people admit to inaccuracies on CVs, and systems now spot those inconsistencies more regularly.

• Overuse of em dashes

  AI often uses em dashes in unnatural places and too often.

• Excessive use of the word ‘professional’

  ‘Results-driven professional’ appears in 80%+ of AI CVs. It’s vague, and over-used. 

• Mirrored bullet structure

  Every bullet starting with the same verb. 

• Generic, unprovable claims

  ‘Detail-orientated,’ ‘hard-working,’ ‘dynamic thinker’ without evidence.

• Lack of numbers or context

  AI content often skips quantifying achievements. 

• Missing location or contact info

  AI CVs sometimes miss practical info, such as postcodes, cities, or LinkedIn links.

• Misaligned skills for the job

  Irrelevant or oddly placed skills due to broad scraping.

• Overly long CVs with filler content

  AI often adds fluff to pad out experience, leading to 3+ page CVs. 

• Too-perfect grammar or robotic content

  Ultra-consistent structure and tone can feel impersonal or lacking nuance.

• No personalisation to the job description

  AI-generated CVs often ignore the actual job description, missing clear tailoring.