Recruitment industry leader warns about potential dishonesty in using AI for CVs
Talent acquisition teams face a new layer of complexity in recruitment, with one in four candidates are using artificial intelligence tools to create their CVs and cover letters, sparking concerns about authenticity and candidate honesty.
Data released by people2people Recruitment revealed that 25% of Australians are using AI to help write their CVs and cover letters. This includes 14% who admitted to using these tools a lot.
According to the findings, Gen X employees are the most frequent users of AI during the job search, with 33% of them admitting to the practice, followed by Millennials and Gen Zs at 24%, and then Baby Boomers at 22%.
The findings reflect global research on jobseekers' AI use during recruitment. A Capterra poll last year revealed that 58% of employees globally were using AI tools in their current job search.
The top uses of AI for global jobseekers include writing or refining their CV (40%) and cover letter (33%).
But jobseekers should tread carefully when using AI tools for their CVs and cover letters, according to Catherine Kennedy, NSW Managing Director at people2people Recruitment.
"AI can help candidates polish their applications, but employers are looking for authenticity. A CV or cover letter that sounds fake or over-engineered can raise red flags," Kennedy said in a statement.
"AI should be used as an assistant, not a replacement for personal voice, accuracy, and honesty."
Honesty in recruitment
The warning comes as 90% of Australians believe AI makes it easier to mislead on job applications.
More than a third of Australians (35%) even said that they have lied or exaggerated information on their CV or cover letter, with a quarter admitting to it multiple times.
According to the report, Millennials and Gen Zs are more likely to exaggerate information on their CV (45%), compared with Gen X (32%) and Baby Boomers (31%).
"AI is here to stay, and job seekers are embracing it. But trust is the currency of recruitment – and if candidates misuse AI, they risk damaging their credibility before they even reach the interview stage," Kennedy said.
Attempts to mislead during recruitment and the use of AI for CVs have prompted hiring managers to return to in-person job interviews, according to experts from Korn Ferry.
They added that some hiring managers have been conducting tests on applicants with and without AI tools to get a better impression of candidates.
