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24 Jul 2025 JobLookup

AI or the Human Touch? Which is the Best Way to Write your CV?

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You’re on the hunt for a job and you know that means having a well-crafted CV to hand. You’ve listened to all the advice about altering your CV for each job application, highlighting your transferable skills, and creating your personal statement. Now, all you have to do is write the thing. Simple, right?

It’s at this stage that you might be tempted to hand your CV over to a generalised AI like Chat GPT, Claude, or Copilot, or a specialised CV writing AI app such as Teal HQ, Rezi.ai, or Skillroads. But is that the best way to create a successful CV or is writing it yourself a better choice? Let’s look at the upsides and disadvantages of both options.

Using AI to Write your CV

Since the launch of Chat GPT in 2022, it’s almost become second nature to poke your favourite AI with prompts and questions about any and all topics. But if you decide to use AI to write your CV, what are the benefits and disadvantages?

Pros

  • Can save you time: AI tools can quickly create a CV based on the information you provide.
  • Builds consistency: AI can make sure that the tone of voice in your CV and the format are the same throughout.
  • Identifies keywords: AI can pick out relevant keywords from job adverts and descriptions and include them in your CV.
  • Checks for mistakes: Using AI to write your CV reduces the risk of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

Cons

  • Doesn’t sound like you: AI written CVs lack the personal touch, making them feel generic. This means they’re less likely to stand out from the crowd.
  • Too generalised: Without the right prompts, AI may miss specific industry requirements or terminology.
  • Depends on the information you provide: The quality of your CV depends on the accuracy and completeness of the information you provide and what you ask it to do.
  • Not always free: Some AI tools charge a subscription fee.

Writing Your Own CV

Maybe you’re not interested in using AI to create your CV and want to flex your writing muscle instead. If that’s the case, what are the advantages and downfalls of writing your own CV?

Pros

  • Adds a personal touch: Writing your own CV means using your individual voice to highlight your unique strengths and experiences in a way that sounds like you.
  • Offers flexibility: It’s easier to tailor a CV that you’ve written yourself to suit each job you apply for.
  • Puts you in the driving seat: You have complete control over the content, layout, and style of your CV, again demonstrating your personality.
  • It costs less: Writing your own CV means not paying to use AI tools, and there are plenty of free templates available to help you craft a polished CV.

Cons

  • Takes longer to do it yourself: Writing a CV, especially for the first time, can be a long, detailed process.
  • More risk of errors: It’s easier to miss typos and grammar mistakes, however, using spell check can help with this!
  • A need for self-assessment: It can be challenging to assess your own achievements and skills with an objective eye.
  • Identifying keywords: You may struggle to identify the right keywords in the job advert and description and include them in your CV.

Which is the Best Way to Write your CV?

Your CV and cover letter are your first chance to make a good impression on an employer or recruiter. For this reason, your CV must work hard to demonstrate how brilliant a fit you are for the job and the company. When writing your CV, both AI and the human touch have their pros and cons. So which is the best choice to make?

  • There is a third approach: combining the strengths of both AI and your own writing skills.

While AI offers speed, consistency, and keyword optimisation, adding the human touch can bring personality to your CV and make it stand out. By starting with an AI generated draft and then customising it yourself, you can create a CV that works well for searchability, is a true reflection of your value as a job candidate, and provides an insight into who you are as a person.

So which is the best way to write your CV?

Approach AI as the valuable tool it is to get your started, but use the human touch to polish your CV to a shine.

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