Should I Use ChatGPT to Write My CV?

Job Applications in the AI Age: Should I Use ChatGPT to Write My CV?

In today’s hyper-competitive job market, AI tools like ChatGPT are everywhere. Job seekers are using them to draft CVs, write cover letters, and even answer application questions. But the question arises "should I Use ChatGPT to Write My CV"?

On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer: fast, free, and surprisingly decent on a first draft.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: while ChatGPT can be a great starting point, over-reliance on AI can hurt your chances — especially in midlife career reinvention, executive applications, or complex industries where nuance, credibility, and human connection still reign.

At Bigger Fish, we work with professionals in their 40s, 50s, and beyond — many returning to the workforce after illness, burnout, or redundancy, or aiming for senior-level promotions and leadership transitions. We've seen firsthand how AI-written CVs fall short — and why human-led strategy still wins.

Why So Many Professionals Are Turning to ChatGPT

We understand the appeal:

• You're overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.

• You're unsure how to “sell yourself” or describe career breaks.

• You’re out of practice and need a quick win.

ChatGPT gives you a polished draft in seconds. But here’s where that convenience becomes a trap — because many employers and recruiters can now spot it a mile off.

Do Hiring Managers Care If You Use AI?

Yes — and increasingly so.

A 2023 ResumeBuilder.com survey found that:

40% of hiring managers would automatically reject a CV if they knew it was written entirely by AI.

Recruiters report “generic language,” “lack of personality,” and “overuse of buzzwords” as red flags. Others say it’s about trust — if your CV feels impersonal or overly polished, they wonder if you’ve misrepresented yourself.

And more importantly, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — the automated software that screens your CV before a human ever sees it — are evolving too.

Can Modern ATS Detect AI-Written CVs?

Not directly. ATS doesn’t flag “this was written by ChatGPT.” But they can pick up:

• Generic phrasing repeated across submissions

• Overuse of keywords in unnatural ways

• Weak or missing SAR-style content (Situation, Action, Result)

• Formatting anomalies from AI copy-pasting

• Inconsistencies between CV and application form

Some employers even use tools like GPTZero and Copyleaks to detect AI-written content in leadership or technical roles.

What Industries Frown Upon AI-Generated CVs?

1. Oil, Gas & Energy

High-risk operations demand detailed, technical CVs that reflect real-world field experience, decision-making under pressure, and global complexity. ChatGPT can’t fake that depth — and hiring managers in energy know it.

2. Information Technology (IT)

Ironically, in one of the most tech-savvy industries, AI-written CVs often backfire. Leaders here are looking for critical thinking, architecture-level decisions, and a clear link between strategy and delivery.

3. Legal & Compliance

AI often removes the clarity, accountability, and precision essential in legal, regulatory, and compliance roles. You’ll fail to show alignment with codes, ethics, and critical casework.

4. Healthcare & Life Sciences

Senior NHS or clinical roles require transparency, scope of responsibility, and evidence of governance and patient outcomes. AI fails to deliver that nuance.

5. Financial Services

Metrics matter — but so does story. ChatGPT can list achievements, but often misses the business value, the strategic decisions behind the numbers, or leadership acumen.

6. Creative Industries

It’s tempting to use ChatGPT for portfolio summaries — but originality is the currency of this space. Hiring teams will expect your voice, not a machine’s.

7. Public Sector & Government

CVs for civil service, council, or government contractor roles must align with frameworks like Success Profiles or STAR. AI doesn’t do that well without human intervention.

Common Mistakes When Using ChatGPT for Job Applications

• Same CV sent to every job — AI often gives one-size-fits-all output

• No personal voice — recruiters say they “can’t hear the person behind the paper”

• No value proposition — ChatGPT doesn’t create a compelling positioning statement

• No context or relevance — AI-generated SAR stories lack alignment with role targets

• Wrong tone — especially in formal or regulated sectors

And if your CV was clearly written by AI? It could be instantly discarded — not because AI is evil, but because it signals you didn’t take the process seriously.

Can You Use ChatGPT Effectively?

Yes — as a support tool, not as a final writer.

Great uses of ChatGPT for CVs:

• Brainstorming achievement statements

• Turning bullet points into draft summaries

• Checking spelling and grammar

• Generating alternative headings

Poor uses of ChatGPT for CVs:

• Letting it write the entire thing

• Copy-pasting unedited content

• Using examples that don’t reflect your actual work

• Applying with the same generic CV to every job

What Executive Recruiters Really Want

• Strategic alignment with the role

• Clear positioning: what do you offer that others don’t?

• Leadership proof: case studies that show decision-making

• Outcomes: metrics that prove success

• Authenticity: a voice that feels human, not manufactured

The Bigger Fish Executive Branding Framework

At Bigger Fish, we don’t just rewrite CVs. We reposition you.

After a 2-hour interview with one of our senior branding specialists, we craft:

• A clear value proposition that sets the tone from line one

• SAR case studies — strategic, tailored stories that show how you think and lead

• Hard-hitting metrics that quantify your impact

• A layout and structure built to be ATS-friendly and human-readable

• Content that mirrors your voice — professional, warm, confident

We do this for:

• Executives aiming for board or C-suite transitions

• Professionals in their 40s, 50s or 60s reinventing themselves after change

• Contractors, consultants, and military leavers pivoting to new sectors

• Anyone wanting to stand out with clarity, not noise

Final Word: Human Connection Wins

In an age of AI overload, the most powerful differentiator is still you.

If you’re:

• Restarting your career after illness, redundancy, or burnout

• Navigating ageism or industry shifts in midlife

• Going for that senior-level promotion

• Or aiming for a bold new direction…

Don’t leave your first impression to chance — or to ChatGPT.

Work With Us

We write CVs that influence, interviews that convert, and brand stories that reflect your truth.

Email: executive.branding@bigger-fish.co.uk or Visit: www.bigger-fish.co.uk

“You’ve done the hard work. Now let us help you show it.”

Bonus: Quick Tips for Smarter CV Writing

• Use SAR or STAR models: Situation – Action – Result

• Open with a positioning headline (not an objective)

• Tailor to the role — even small tweaks help

• Use keywords that match the job description naturally

• Avoid filler like “hardworking team player”

• Keep it to 2 pages max (3 for technical or international roles)