Have you ever wondered who the first person to read your CV is after you hit “Apply”? There’s a good chance that the first pair of eyes scanning your application isn’t human at all. Today, recruitment has evolved into a two-stage process: validation by Artificial Intelligence algorithms, followed by the recruiter’s final decision.
The classic route: What to watch out for if you’re writing your own CV
If you are drafting your CV manually, simplicity is key. Scanning systems prioritize structure over artistic design. Here is what you need to avoid to prevent automatic rejection:
- Skip the complex graphics: Avoid using stars, dots, or colored bars to rate your skills (e.g., 4 out of 5 points). While some advanced systems might “see” them, most recruitment software prefers clear, plain text. You risk having those graphics ignored, meaning your skills won’t even register in the system.
- Simple fonts are safest: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Artistic or decorative fonts can be misread by the software.
- Standard headings: Stick to “Experience” or “Education.” If you invent creative titles, the system won’t know how to categorize the information.
- The ideal format: Always submit a PDF or Word (DOCX) file. Avoid sending your CV as a simple image (JPG/PNG). Although technology can extract text from images, the process is prone to errors. Why risk it when a simple PDF works perfectly every time?
Beyond formatting, content matters immensely. It is not enough to simply list skills; the secret is integrating them into context. Instead of a dry “Sales,” write “Coordinated the sales team and increased revenue by 20%.”
The smart route: Ditch the hassle with Bestie
If the list of rules above sounds exhausting, or you’re worried about messing up a font or a heading, we have good news. You don’t have to do this alone.
On bestjobs, you have access to Bestie, our AI agent, who takes the heavy lifting of writing and formatting off your shoulders. Bestie already knows all the rules mentioned above and applies them automatically for you:
- If you’re just starting out and don’t have an account: Bestie generates your professional profile through an interactive dialogue, transforming your answers into a complete CV structured according to current recruitment standards.
- If you already have a CV: The agent helps you update it in minutes. It scans your history and ensures the information is optimized exactly the way recruitment systems want to see it.
Basically, Bestie eliminates the risk of formatting errors. You bring the experience; she provides the perfect technical “packaging.”
The ace up your sleeve: The video interview
Once you have a technically perfect CV, how do you differentiate yourself emotionally? This is where the video interview comes in, available directly on your bestjobs profile.
This is the element that no text can replicate. A short video adds value to the classic CV by giving the recruiter a chance to see the human behind the document. You highlight your personality, energy, and communication skills — traits that get lost on paper but are decisive in landing the job.
A strong CV today doesn’t mean hours wasted aligning text on a page, but relevant content presented in the correct format. By using the Bestie agent, you ensure your CV meets all technical standards with zero
