So…. you’ve taken that step, invested time in updating your CV, and considered the next stage in your career. Depending on how regular this occurrence is, the landscape for job seekers has shifted in recent years. If you’re going down the route of LinkedIn and a “direct application” (versus partnering with a search firm), there’s a high chance a screening bot will first review your profile before it lands on the desk of the Head of Tax/CFO.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in HR operations means AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) are implemented by over 90% of the Fortune 500. Note these points to ensure your CV navigates these pesky chatbots!

Keywords are critical

Like search engine optimisation (SEO) works to get websites noticed, ATS looks for specific keywords related to the role. Focus on aligning your text with the assignment brief; using the same language will ensure a high matching score.

But don’t overuse them

To complicate things further, these clever little bots are trained to screen out those who overpopulate their CV with too many keywords, so be mindful of this. As with other forms of communication, clear, concise, informative messaging is critical, so avoid repeating yourself; otherwise, you may receive one of those generic, impersonal “thanks for your application” type rejection emails.

Context is king

Don’t list your accomplishments without context; AI won’t be able to interpret them. Provide specific examples to ensure your suitability is picked up on. This is the same as when sitting in front of the hiring manager; specifics are critical to providing a deeper insight into your accomplishments and suitability for the role. Communicate at a high level, and the listener leaves the room most likely with unanswered questions and will doubt your communication skills.

Job title alignment is vital

Whilst the progress of AI is “frightening”, they are, of course, limited. Chatbots cannot make assumptions, so keep your titles simple, accurate and closely aligned with your responsibilities. Avoid generic titles such as Tax Director or Senior Tax Manager; incorporate some of the keywords the bots will have been taught, such as M&A Tax Director or Senior Manager, Tax Accounting.

The importance of layout

Keep it simple – plain text with a clean, straightforward layout, keeping multiple fonts and font sizes to a minimum. You may think your document will be overly “corporate” or somewhat dull, but most importantly, you don’t confuse the bots with extravagant designs or an inconsistent format. On the font front, the following options are well received by our AI “friends” – Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, and Georgia.

Avoid humour

These chatbots are void of emotion, so your sarcasm and quick wit will sadly be brushed aside–they only care about specific keywords and precise information.

Photos are deemed “unnecessary”

These bots spend time scanning and processing text, so your photo sadly adds no value. If you’re listing your skills and experiences within an image, chances are it’ll be missed. All the critical elements of your CV must be in text format. Infographics look great, but from the chatbot’s perspective – they’re a foreign language.

Use the correct file type

This is simple yet important; even if you’ve crafted the perfect CV, you won’t make it out of the blocks if the file type isn’t picked up. It’s best to stick to .docx.