Navigating Your CV Journey: Automated vs. Human-Created

In today's competitive job market, your resume, or curriculum vitae (CV), plays a pivotal role in your job search journey. New Zealand job seekers, just like many others worldwide, are constantly seeking ways to make their CVs stand out. One recurring question we receive from our clients is whether they should use automated CV writing tools or rely on human expertise to craft their resumes. Here we’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches, helping you make an informed decision about which path to take in your job search.

Automated CVs: The pros

• Time-efficiency: One of the primary advantages of using automated CV writing tools is the speed at which they can generate a resume. These tools can quickly extract relevant information from your profile, and any other information provided, making it convenient for job seekers who are short on time.

• Consistency: Automated tools follow a predefined format, ensuring your CV maintains a consistent structure throughout. This consistency can be appealing to employers, especially when they are reviewing multiple applicants.

• Keyword optimisation: Many automated platforms are designed to identify keywords that align with job descriptions, which can increase your CV's chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and landing on the desks of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Cost-effective: Automated CV writing tools are often free, making them significantly more affordable than hiring a professional CV writer or career coach. A bonus for budget conscious job seekers.

Automated CVs: The cons

• Lack of personalisation: Automated CVs can feel generic. Recruiters are saying they can often pick an AI created CV because of the language used, and this may not reflect well on you as a candidate. It's essential to tailor your CV for each job application, and automated tools may struggle to capture the nuances that make you a standout candidate or effectively convey your unique skills, experiences, and personality. 

• Limited industry insight: These tools often lack an in-depth understanding of specific industries, job roles, or regional preferences. In New Zealand, for example, local insights can be crucial, and automated tools may not be equipped to provide such information.

• Loss of learning opportunity: Crafting your CV manually can be a valuable experience. It challenges you to reflect deeply on your career goals, achievements and skills that are relevant to the role you are applying for. This reflection will be a benefit as you prepare for interviews.

Human-created CVs: The pros

• Personalisation: You, or a professional CV writer can tailor your CV to showcase your strengths and highlight your unique experiences relevant to the job you're applying for, making you a more appealing candidate to potential employers.

• Industry expertise: Recruiters have in-depth knowledge of the job market, including regional trends and preferences. In New Zealand, where local insights can be crucial, having a human touch to your CV can be a significant advantage.

• Achievements: Recruiters and hiring managers want to understand what you have achieved. They need information on challenges you’ve faced, how you approached them and what the results were. AI tools can’t get that far into your head, (yet!)

• Soft skills highlight: Automated tools may not effectively capture your soft skills or transferable abilities. A career coach can help you identify and highlight these qualities, which may set you apart from other candidates.

• Feedback and collaboration: Working with a professional or bouncing your CV draft off friends or colleagues allows you to receive feedback and refine your CV. This feedback loop can help you develop a clearer understanding of your career trajectory and goals and craft concise statements to effectively illustrate your strengths and achievements.

Human-created CVs: The cons

• Cost: If you’re writing your CV yourself, the main cost is your time. If you choose to work with a professional career coach or CV writer, this will come at a price, which may be a barrier for some. However, it's an investment in your career, and the return can be substantial if it helps you get through the initial screening phases. If you are going through a restructure or redundancy, some employers will offer CV preparation assistance as part of your exit package.

• Time-consuming: It takes time to polish your career history and present it in a concise and compelling way. If you are working with a professional, you'll need to schedule meetings and provide them with information, which can slow down the CV creation process.

• Quality varies: The quality of hand crafted CVs depends on the professional’s experience and expertise. It's essential to do your research and select a reputable professional to ensure the quality of your CV.

So, what should you choose?

The decision between using an automated CV writing tool or a human CV writer, (yourself or a professional), ultimately depends on your unique circumstances and preferences. Your CV is just one piece of the job-hunt armory - but it is a crucial tool for getting you through the initial screening steps. 

In addition to the pros and cons points discussed above, some other tips to help decide which approach to use are:

• Assess the needs of the CV reader: Think about what they might be looking to understand about you and your experience. If you really need to stand out from the crowd, creating your own CV (with help if needed) tailored to the role you are applying for, is likely to be your best bet. 

• Explore a hybrid approach: You don't have to choose one method exclusively. You can use automated tools to create a foundation and then work with a professional to add personal touches and fine-tune your CV.

The choice between automated and human-created CVs is not one-size-fits-all. Consider your budget, time, and individual needs, but remember the New Zealand job market is very competitive. A well crafted CV acts as a vital ‘proof point’ that will increase your chances of being noticed, and ultimately landing your dream job.

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