Every job application deserves a tailored CV that aligns with the specific requirements of the role, explain Sarah Howson and Marianne Whitlock
Your CV is more than just a document. It’s a reflection of your career journey and professional identity; if written well, it should convey your personality too. Potentially, it will open the door to you landing an interview for your next position. It’s unique.
As a Business Support Professional, every small detail on your CV speaks to your expertise, work ethic, and how you support executives at the highest level. How you summarise your experience and articulate your strengths, in conjunction with your LinkedIn profile, reflects you. It is part of the many elements which you will use to ‘sell yourself.’ While AI can be a helpful tool, there are critical areas where you must exercise caution when using it to create your CV. Articles, documents, and social media posts created by AI have a similar tone to them. Don’t make that mistake with your CV!
Here’s what you should avoid at all costs:
Do Not Let AI Write Your Personal Summary
AI might be able to generate generic career summaries, but your personal summary needs to be just that. Personal. This section is in effect your elevator pitch and must capture what it is that is special about you, your unique value proposition. AI lacks the context of your individual career path, passions, and achievements, often producing bland or overly generalised statements.
Your personal summary is often the first impression a potential employer gets of you. Make it count by ensuring it reflects the true essence of your professional identity and aspirations. Ensuring there is a little bit of personality is important. Avoid vague or cliché phrases like “results-oriented professional” or “hardworking individual.” Instead, be specific about your accomplishments and how they’ve prepared you for your next role. Your summary must be distinct and tailored to you.
Do Not Rely on AI to Understand the Nuances of the Executive Assistant Role
Sarah often says the EA role is “the best role on the organisation chart.” The complexity and depth of this role is frequently misunderstood. AI-generated content can struggle to capture the strategic nature of being an EA, often reducing it to basic administrative functions. Your CV should reflect the impact you bring, highlighting your role in leading projects, streamlining processes, and managing key relationships. Showcase how you’ve proactively resolved problems, improved efficiency, and navigated complex dynamics to protect your executive’s time and focus.
It’s crucial that your CV highlights the full scope of your responsibilities and the value you bring to the organisation. Please do not just regurgitate a job description and copy/paste the same content throughout your CV.
Articulate clearly what makes you a great candidate for a position but also shows the level in which you operate. Emphasise your role in executive decision-making, managing high-stakes projects, and fostering cross-functional relationships. Show how you’ve partnered with your executive to shape business strategies, manage and support organisational change, or drive company-wide initiatives. Think outside the box!
Do Not Allow AI to Automate Key Achievements
When it comes to highlighting your career achievements, specificity and personal insights are key. AI may generate vague or irrelevant content that doesn’t capture the significance of your accomplishments. Your achievements should be quantifiable and detailed, demonstrating how you’ve contributed to the success of your executives and organisation. AI lacks the personal touch needed to articulate your impact; this is where your voice and personal experience should shine.
‘Key Career Achievements’ is a section on your CV we always encourage to be added towards the top (see our previous article, Crafting a Standout CV), which highlights some of your biggest achievements, enabling the reader to instantly read what you are capable of. Reflect on your accomplishments and ask yourself these questions:
- What projects are you most proud of?
- How did you create the biggest impact?
- What legacy have you left behind?
You can create a bank of these and tailor your CV depending on the role, industry, or company you are applying to. Ultimately, the reader should walk away with an idea of what the return on investment is for having you join their team.
Do Not Overlook Formatting and Design – A Human Eye Is Everything
AI can generate text, but it doesn’t always get formatting right. A poorly formatted CV can detract from your professionalism and make it difficult for hiring managers to navigate your document. As an Executive Assistant, attention to detail is one of your strongest assets and the most likely skill to appear on your CV. Your CV should be a visual reflection of that skill: clean, well-organised, and easy to read. While AI tools can assist with structure, it’s important that you take control of the final design.
White space is your friend. A well-formatted, consistent CV on all pages is a must. Remember that it’s also about the little details. How have you named your CV file? Does your CV have your LinkedIn profile link easily visible for a hiring manager to find? Make sure dates are written consistently throughout the document, as well as dashes and use of uppercase and lowercase text. Details matter.
Do Not Skip Tailoring for Each Job Application
AI-generated CVs often produce one-size-fits-all content. However, every job application deserves a tailored CV that aligns with the specific requirements of the role and company culture. As an Executive Assistant, your ability to adapt and respond to different executive needs is critical. Each CV should be customised to showcase how your skills and experience are a perfect match for the role you’re applying for, something AI may not fully achieve.
Customisation is key. Taking the time to tailor your CV to each specific job application is crucial in today’s challenging market. A one-size-fits-all approach won’t highlight your unique qualifications. Look carefully at the job description, noting keywords and required skills, and adjust your CV accordingly. Ensure your experience aligns with the company’s needs. Even small tweaks, such as emphasising the relevant achievements or experiences, can demonstrate that you’ve invested time and thought into your application. These personalised details may just be the differentiator that sets you apart from other candidates.
Do Use AI!
While certain aspects of CV creation demand a personal touch, AI can be a powerful tool when used strategically to refine your application. For instance, AI can assist in reviewing and critiquing your CV and cover letter, ensuring your language is polished, free from errors, and clear in its message.
When tailoring your CV for specific job descriptions, AI can help rephrase and adjust content to better match the role without needing a complete rewrite. Just be sure that your voice is coming across as authentically ‘you.’
Additionally, AI can be a valuable resource during interview preparation, offering insightful questions to ask potential employers and helping you formulate strong negotiating points for the offer stage.
Finally, using voice-based AI tools for mock interviews can allow you to efficiently practice your responses and boost your confidence.
