FinTech Futures Jobs: 80% of AI-generated applications fail with hiring managers
When it comes to crafting a perfectly bespoke CV, it has never been easier.
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Thanks to generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.ai, you can whip up a CV or cover letter in a matter of seconds by simply feeding your chatbot of choice a selection of prompts relating to your experience and the role description of the job you’re applying for.
So snagging interviews should be a breeze, right?
What canny GenAI users might not realise is that AI-generated job applications are not passing the test with the vast majority of hiring managers and HR professionals.
In fact, 80% of AI-generated job applications are not getting past the first round of screening. This is because four in five hiring managers dislike content that has been obviously generated by AI, and 57% of hiring managers would not hire candidates that have used AI to create their job applications.
You might think HR personnel cannot tell the difference between a job application that has been created using AI and one that has been written from scratch. But 74% of hiring managers say they can tell when a cover letter has been written by AI.
This attitude is particularly prevalent in the legal and tech sectors, with 47% of respondents working in the law and legal sector and 45% working in the computing, technology, and digital sectors said they would throw out an application that appeared to be AI-generated.
Some hiring managers are even using specific tools to check if content has been created using AI. These include GPTZero, which can detect if certain LLMs including GPT-4 and Gemini have been used, and Originality.AI, which checks for AI content.
The reality is that job seekers are not going to stop using GenAI to help them streamline and speed up the job hunt process.
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So, how can job seekers ensure their CV and cover letters don’t get binned?
For starters, it’s never a good idea to copy and paste straight from the likes of ChatGPT without checking the content first. A lot of times, American spellings are used instead of British ones, so a rogue ‘z’ or a missing ‘u’ are likely to immediately raise a red flag.
Instead, use your GenAI tool of choice to provide a framework that you can tailor and tweak so that the information is presented in your own tone of voice and uses vocabulary that is native to you.
However, be wary of using lots of bullet points and sub-headings as this is an AI-generated dead giveaway.
You should also exercise caution when using an online CV and cover letter builder to create a template. These are frequently powered by AI and the suggestions being made to you are more than likely powered by one of the major LLMs such as OpenAI or Anthropic.
And speaking of vocabulary, there are certain words that you should avoid as they have become synonymous with AI. These include ‘spearhead’, ‘foster’, ‘cultivated’ and ‘utilised’, along with phrases such as ‘I am a highly motivated individual’ and ‘I am proficient in’.
Finally, make sure your CV and cover letter match in writing style. If you use separate AI tools for each or rely on AI for your cover letter but not your CV, it will be clear that one or both lack originality and do not reflect your true writing style.
Now all you have to do is start applying.
To find out what job opportunities are out there, visit the Fintech Futures Job Board today.
