As many of us know, CVs are one of the most important components of job applications. However, with so many different templates and layouts available, it can often feel overwhelming to create a CV that not only includes all the necessary information but also helps you stand out from the crowd. Fortunately, at the 2025 Employability and Careers Expo, Moody’s shed light on this topic during the Using AI in Job Applications workshop.
The session was hosted by Hannah Layton and Martin Elliot, both employees at Moody’s, a global financial services company that provides customers with a holistic view of interconnected risks to advance their business and act decisively. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the dos and don’ts of using AI in job applications to make a good first impression.
To begin, the key elements of a CV were highlighted, including:
- Contact information: Ensure it’s at the top of your CV in bold, easy-to-read text.
- Education, work, and volunteer experience: List in reverse chronological order.
- Technical and soft skills: Examples include Adobe, Python, communication, leadership.
Additionally, optional elements such as a brief description of career objectives, links to your professional website/LinkedIn, relevant projects, and professional memberships can provide valuable insights for recruiters reviewing your CV.
One particularly helpful tip was that recruiters generally prefer receiving CVs in PDF format.
The next topic covered was how to leverage AI in job applications. Below is a summary of the key points discussed:
- Job matching: You can set personalised job recommendations on platforms such as Indeed and turn on automatic alerts to be among the first to hear about new opportunities.
- Skill assessment and development: AI can analyse gaps in your CV and suggest tailored learning resources.
- Networking and professional branding: AI can help optimise your online presence and connect you with relevant professionals.
- Interview preparation: AI can assist by finding common interview questions or facilitating mock interviews to help you feel more prepared.
- Application tracking and management: You can set up automated follow-ups to streamline your application process.
However, Hannah and Martin also highlighted the importance of reviewing any AI-generated content and being cautious about data security. There is a risk that your data may be mishandled when using AI-powered CV builders.
Overall, these were great tips to incorporate into CV writing, and I gained valuable insights into how to utilise AI in the job application process. The Employability and Careers Expo offered a fantastic opportunity to develop skills and network with industry professionals. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year, make sure to go to the next one!