How Recruiters Can Tell When a CV Has Been AI-Generated

With the rise of AI tools, more job seekers are turning to them for help writing their CVs.

While these programs can tidy up spelling, polish grammar, and suggest stronger phrasing, recruiters are becoming increasingly skilled at spotting when a document has been written by a machine rather than a person. It's no wonder then why many turn to professional resume writing services.

Below are some of the tell-tale signs:

1. Overly Polished but Lacking Personality

An AI-generated CV often reads too perfectly. Every bullet point may begin in the same way, every sentence neatly balanced, and the tone free of quirks. While that may sound ideal, in reality, most professionals have idiosyncrasies in their writing – a varied choice of words, uneven sentence lengths, or occasional informal touches.

2. Repeated Buzzwords

AI tends to lean heavily on clichés such as “results-driven professional”, “dynamic leader”, or “proven track record”. A handful of these might slip into a genuine CV, but when they appear in nearly every section, it becomes a giveaway. Recruiters see through the jargon and look instead for specific, measurable achievements.

Recruiters can tell when a CV was AI generated.

3. Vague or Generic Descriptions

Where a strong CV highlights concrete examples – such as “increased sales revenue by 18% over 12 months” – an AI-written one often produces vaguer statements like “consistently exceeded expectations” without evidence. Recruiters notice when detail is missing, and it raises questions about authenticity.

4. Lack of Consistency with the Candidate’s Profile

An AI can create impressive-looking content, but if the style and sophistication of the CV don’t align with the candidate’s LinkedIn profile, cover letter, or interview manner, alarm bells ring. Recruiters often cross-check documents, and mismatches stand out.

5. Odd Turns of Phrase

While AI grammar is technically correct, it sometimes produces clunky or unnatural wording – the sort of phrase a native speaker wouldn’t typically use. Recruiters who read hundreds of CVs a week quickly develop an eye for this.

6. Excessive Length or Over-Formatting

AI often errs on the side of giving too much. This might mean three-page CVs full of unnecessary detail, or layouts cluttered with icons and graphics that don’t fit industry norms. A seasoned recruiter will notice when a CV looks more designed for style than substance.

Final Thoughts

AI tools can be useful for polishing a CV, but relying on them entirely can backfire. Recruiters value authenticity, precision, and personality. A strong CV should feel like it genuinely represents the candidate – quirks and all – rather than reading like it has been generated from a template. It still doesn't beat the quality of a professional and expert human CV writer.

For job seekers, the lesson is clear: let AI assist, but make sure the final version is unmistakably yours.