Why the human touch matters more than ever

I have worked in recruitment for over a decade, from consultant to director level, and in that time, I have seen hiring transform dramatically. But nothing has shifted the CV screening process quite like AI.

Today, your CV is likely being reviewed by AI before a human ever sees it. It is embedded across the hiring process, from screening and shortlisting to interview scheduling and skills assessment. That creates both opportunity and risk for candidates. 

AI can help level the playing field. But it also introduces a new layer of competition. Employers are using it to filter applications at scale, while candidates are increasingly using AI tools to write and polish their CVs. 

So how do you stand out when both sides are AI-enabled?

How is AI changing CV screening? 

AI is now playing a central role in how CVs are reviewed and shortlisted. In many cases, it sits between submitting an application and it ever reaching a human recruiter or hiring manager. 

However, there is still a wide spectrum in how AI is being used across recruitment. Some organisations continue to rely on simple keyword searches, while others are using more advanced screening models to assess role depth and outcomes. 

For candidates, that lack of consistency presents a real challenge. Your CV needs to perform effectively in both environments. 

Based on what I am seeing firsthand, here are five ways candidates can stand out. 

1. Focus on the “how”, not just the “what” 

Listing responsibilities alone is no longer enough. The strongest CVs I see explain how work gets done, go beyond surface-level duties and describe thinking, process, collaboration and the impact. 

For example, do not just say you built a product or platform. Explain: 

  • How it was built 

  • What technologies were used 

  • What challenges were solved

  • Who you worked with 

Context matters, and balancing technical keywords with delivery detail is what makes a CV effective in an AI screening process.  

You still need the core skills and technology terms that show your area of expertise, but depth is what differentiates you. 

2. Make your CV AI-readable 

Formatting is one of the most overlooked issues I encounter, and it can make or break whether your CV is read properly or not. 

Many candidates submit CVs as flattened PDFs or image files to prevent editing. However, this creates a potential problem as many screening tools cannot read text embedded in images or flattened PDF files, and I have seen CVs come through screening systems completely blank as a result. 

Other risky formats include: 

  • Two-column layouts 

  • Overly designed templates 

  • Text placed inside graphics 

Some AI tools read the left column top to bottom, then the right column top to bottom, which scrambles context entirely. 

The safest format to use to ensure your CV gets in the hands of a human is to keep the format simple and accessible. Use a standard Word document or PDF, stick to a single-column layout, and opt for clean, minimal formatting. 

Clarity always beats creativity when AI is involved. 

3. Show business impact, not just technical skill 

Technical excellence alone will not make you stand out. 

Employers are increasingly looking for commercial awareness and measurable outcomes alongside technical capability. It’s one thing to build something impressive; it’s another to understand how it scales, saves cost, drives revenue or improves efficiency. 

Strong CVs connect delivery to business value, so your CV needs to include key metrics such as revenue generated, costs reduced, time saved, adoption growth, and operational efficiencies to prove this. 

Detailing both what you’ve built and the value it created makes your experience more compelling to both AI screening tools and hiring managers. 

4. Use AI to enhance, not replace, your voice

AI CV tools can be incredibly useful when used correctly. I see real value in them, particularly for candidates who may struggle with articulation or written communication, as they can help structure experience and clarify language. 

But it is also very obvious when a CV has been entirely AI-generated. 

Some common giveaways include: 

  • American spelling in UK CVs 

  • Mixed first and third person language 

  • Repetitive role summaries 

  • Identical formatting across every job 

Often, each role reads the same, with no individuality in achievements or challenges solved.

My advice is to use AI to support you by proofreading, refining wording and improving structure, not necessarily to write the whole thing for you.

You also need to ensure every role reflects your personal accomplishments, and remember, the person on the CV should be the same person who shows up to the interview.

5. Bring the human connection back in

With AI standardising so much of the hiring process, individuality matters more than ever.

Remember that your CV is only the starting point, and one of the simplest but most effective tactics I recommend is proactive outreach.

If you apply for a role, connect with the recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn with a short, personalised note. It shows you’ve taken the time to do your research, that you’re motivated, intentional in your applications, and serious about the opportunity, not just applying at volume.

When roles attract hundreds of applications, technology can help us manage that volume, but those small human touches show initiative and will increase your visibility.

Standing out in an AI-enabled job market

AI is transforming recruitment, but human connection will always sit at the heart of recruitment. It hasn’t removed the need for authenticity, clarity and individuality, and if anything, it has amplified them.

Technology may shape the shortlist. But hiring decisions remain human, and the CVs that resonate most are the ones that feel genuine.

Ready to put these tips into practice? If you are actively exploring your next move, now is the time to apply these principles in practice. Explore our latest tech vacancies and discover roles where your skills and experience can truly stand out.