Writing your CV has never been simple. There is a lot of second-guessing, self-doubt, and the looming threat of unconscious bias. Over the last couple of years, those reservations have only multiplied with the introduction of AI.
Nowadays, Application Tracking Systems (ATS) are commonplace and, while it may help reduce human bias, it doesn’t always. In addition, ATS changes the priorities when writing a CV, putting emphasis on format, quantified experience, and digital literacy.
Get it right and you'll make the shortlist; get it wrong and you'll never hear back. Here’s how you write a good CV in the world of AI.
Format your CV for ATS
The introduction of ATS has emphasised the importance of clarity and consistency. More than ever, formatting your CV is critical for success.
-
Clear headings: Profile, Skills, Experience, Education and Achievements
-
Standard fonts: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica
-
Simple text: short, concise sentences and bullet points (no long paragraphs)
-
Consistent formatting: spacing, font size, headings
Top Tip: list experience in years and months instead of specifying starting and ending dates. Trials have showed a 15% increase in women being invited for interviews when listing their experience in number of years rather than against specific dates, as employment gaps were no longer visible.’ (Ciphr)
Writing a CV profile for ATS
Open your CV with a strong and targeted profile. Outline your professional skills and ambitions, ideally curating your opening statement to the role you’re applying for.
-
Who are you?
-
What are you an expert at?
-
What do you want?
'I'm a detail-oriented leader who excels at motivating international teams, breaking logistical bottlenecks and delivering projects on schedule 85% of the time. I want to continue building on these strengths while venturing into emerging technologies.'
Top Tip: Pick your words carefully – this short profile is your elevator pitch and should represent your professional self in the most accurate and concise terms possible. Where possible, quantify your expertise with numbers.
How to avoid bias in recruitment
Biases are present in all aspects of life, some more consequential than others. When it comes to applying for your next role, the stakes are high, and navigating those biases is critical.
Since the turn of the millennium there’s been considerable research into biases in recruitment, finding issues concerning all categories of difference: gender, ethnicity, age, image, etc. Some studies have found a 26% increase for successful applicants with English sounding names, while another saw a 50% increase for female applicants when personal information was removed entirely. (KCL, PeopleHR)
Remember this is a job, not a date; many applicants include too much personal information trying to make themselves stand out. As a general role, only add what you need. There's a difference between illustrating your unique personality and oversharing personal details. This is especially important if you belong to a marginalised or underrepresented group within the industry you're applying to.
Avoid:
-
Photos: ‘Studies in European labour markets have found that photos on CVs can trigger racial and gender bias before a recruiter has assessed a single qualification.’ (National Bureau of Economic Research)
-
Marital status: ‘Research has found that mothers are rated lower on competence and hirability than equally qualified childless candidates.’ Information signalling family status often introduces bias, particularly for women. (Chicago Press)
-
Date of birth: ‘Callback rates are consistently lower for older applicants – with older women faring significantly worse than older men, facing up to 47% fewer callbacks than younger equivalents.’ (Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco)
-
Social media, home address and religious status are also good to remove when navigating bias. (unless professionally relevant)
Prioritise your skills in your CV
Highlight transferable and soft skills in short, concise bullet points. Prioritise your list in order of job relevance. This format style will emphasis key elements to ATS and recruiters.
-
Communication
-
Problem-solving
-
Adaptability
-
Digital literacy
-
Teamwork
-
Organisation and time management
Quantify your achievements & experience
This is where you can prove yourself or leave a recruiter underwhelmed. Remember, ATS and human recruiters will be handling multiple applications at once. To stand out, take some time to quantify your past experience and achievements. Numbers always help, whether you use sales figures, specific KPIs or general percentages.
'Managed 50+ global B2B projects.'
Even if you don't have flashy experience, still try to quantify your work.
'Handled 100+ customers per day, while increasing revenue by £100–£200 per day.'
Not only will this type of rephrasing help AI systems understand your experience, but it signals your understanding of key metrics and analytics to recruiters.
Emphasise digital literacy
Now more than ever, digital literacy is a must for most roles. Whether you're working with project management tools, AI models or advanced engineering software, recruiters and hiring managers are on the lookout for digital competence. If you aren't familiar with a tool or programme listed in the job description, demonstrate your ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.
-
Strong grasp of project management tools (Asana, Monday, ClickUp, etc.)
-
Consistently developing an understanding of emerging AI models (Perplexity, deep learning systems, etc.)
Write your CV with AI, don’t let it write it for you
In 2026, there are so many competent AI models – some designed specifically for CV writing and online applications. While AI is a useful tool, there is a danger of overuse. ATS can tell, and so can most recruiters. Let your personality show in your writing.
-
Don't over-AI your text.
-
Use AI to help adapt your CV to each job role.
Aside from writing a great CV, finding the right recruiter can dramatically improve your chances of success. Cutting through the noise is difficult, but with the right connections and know-how, it can be done. At Amoria Bond, we've developed an international network of thoughtful and knowledgeable specialists, ready to help you find your next role or your next recruit. Talk to a member of our team here.
CV writing FAQs
Does ATS automatically reject my CV, or does a human always review it?
Not necessarily. ATS is not standardised across industries or companies, so it depends on the organisation you are applying to. However, you should be prepared: format your CV for ATS and take steps to minimise bias.
Should I tailor my CV for every job application?
Yes. No excuses.
How do I write a CV profile if I’m changing careers or have gaps in my employment?
Focus on transferable skills. Contextualise your achievements and experience, as well as quantify them. Frame your change of career the right way; it’s a chance for growth and learning, not a desperate swing for employment. These steps will ease your transition and help recruiters better understand your motivation.
Will a recruiter know if I’ve used AI to write my CV?
Probably. Remember, using AI is not an issue, but relying on it to do everything is. Let your personality come through in your own words, and use AI as a guide rather than a substitute.
What personal information is illegal to ask for on a job application?
This varies from country to country, so it is worth doing some additional research. As a general rule, asking certain questions is not illegal in most countries; however, discrimination is. Asking about health or disabilities prior to offering a role is often unlawful.
Got more questions? Talk to a person here
The next step is to ensure you’re working with a specialist recruitment team who can help you secure the right opportunity for your career goals, skills and requirements.
Amoria’s Bond’s teams focus exclusively on Technology, Advanced Engineering and Renewable Energy projects that make a positive global impact. Our consultants understand the technical landscape of each of these specialisms and can help match your skills to the right projects. They can also work with you on tailoring your CV to ensure you come across well to hiring managers.
Upload your CV to our AI job matching tool to see if you’re a match to any of our current vacancies. Or submit your details so our specialist recruitment teams can find a strong match for you in the future.