Marvin OnumonuOwen Morgan, managing director at INTOO UK & Ireland, warned jobseekers to avoid common artificial intelligence (AI) pitfalls when applying for roles, as redundancy rates continue to rise and applicant tracking systems (ATS) are now filtering applications before they reach a person.
Morgan said candidates need to be more strategic and structured in their approach.
INTOO’s Culture in the Balance report showed that 53% of employees were worried about redundancy in the next year, yet 91% said they were not ready to search for a new job and would need support.
Morgan said: “Redundancy can be a difficult and often unexpected experience, but it also presents an opportunity to reassess your skills and how you communicate them.
“In an age where technology plays a major role in recruitment, candidates need to be more intentional than ever before about how they present their experience.”
Morgan advised candidates to rethink how they position themselves after redundancy and to understand how AI tracking systems filter CVs.
With many recruiters using software to screen applications, he said tailoring CVs was essential, including using clear formatting, relevant keywords from the job description and avoiding complex designs.
Morgan added: “An ATS-friendly CV is less about tricking the system and more about making sure you make it through its filters.
“These tools are often set up to track clear, simple language, spot tangible results and match key words to the job description.
“It’s important you display an understanding of the job in your CV, but also in any cover letter material you may have to supply.”
“If the job says you’ll be leading a team – make that a big focus on your application.
“How big was the team you oversaw? How did you delegate? What was the meeting process and so on. Don’t just say you led a team – it’s too vague and risks being filtered out by the ATS.”
Morgan said creative CV designs can cause problems for AI systems.
He said: “Clarity always wins. Simple layouts, standard fonts and clear section headings ensure your CV can be accurately read by the system.
“If it can’t process your information, your experience won’t be fully recognised – so you do yourself a disservice trying too hard to make your application aesthetically pleasing.”
He added: “Understanding and articulating your value is critical. It’s also important to be clear and concise in your applications when AI may be used in filtering them.
“However, it’s equally as important to understand the sorts of skills an employer is looking for.
“This should include both technical and soft skills, aligned directly with the job description.”
INTOO’s Future World of Work research showed that adaptability, resilience and communication were the top skills for business success in 2028.
Morgan said: “Our research points to businesses wanting strong soft skills. The technical stuff – the nuts and bolts of the job – can be taught.
“But if you’re an ineffective communicator, can’t adapt to situations and fold under pressure then they can be big red flags for employers.
“Think of your skills section as a checklist for the system.”
Morgan added: “It should clearly reflect the capabilities the employer is looking for, using the exact terminology where possible.
“It’s also important to avoid vague phrases and instead focus on specific, relevant competencies that match the role – ATS can often be tailored to pick out measurable outcomes so it can avoid applications with very generic language.
“ATS systems don’t always recognise variations in phrasing. If the advert uses specific terminology, it’s important to reflect that wording in your CV to ensure alignment.”
