How AI and Big Data Makes Lying on Your Resume Impossible

Why you shouldn't lie on your resume: Technology and the job seeker

Few people go as far as Andrew did by faking a whole career, but even for simple 'white lies', the days of being anything other than 100% honest in your CV are over.

Inaccurate dates, embellished job titles, and misrepresentation of incomplete qualifications are among the most common 'white lies' job seekers tell on their CVs in an attempt to get that all-important interview.

However, with sophisticated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI-powered data matching and fact-checking in play throughout the recruitment process, the truth is out there for recruiters and hiring managers - and it's easier to find than ever before.

How do you overcome this issue? Make your CV the 'single source of truth'.

Our digital footprints are here to stay, and while you can 'cleanse' your online presence of some things when you're job searching, you can't disappear completely. (And if you do, that in itself can raise alarm bells - 'ghost' candidates (i.e. those without a digital presence) tend to make recruiters a bit uneasy).

Recruitment Superpowers: Big data and AI.

Just as leaders use data and insights to make business decisions, candidate data can provide recruiters and hiring managers with valuable insights to make hiring decisions.

Much of candidate data is automatically checked, extracted, and highlighted when you submit your CV - your contact details, previous employment details, keywords, social profiles, referee details, location and even the personal interests listed on your CV.

Between AI technology and good 'ole fashioned due diligence, you can be sure that the following checks and balances are happening when you are being considered for a job:

• • • Your CV is compared to your LinkedIn profile to find inconsistencies
    • Your current CV is compared to previous versions to ensure consistency
    • Your qualifications and previous employment is verified to be accurate
    • People are Googling you and checking your LinkedIn Profile

Job Seeking in the Age of Big Data and AI: Ten Tips to Help You Find Success

Remember that your job search, your CV, and your digital presence are precisely that - yours.

So, while it may be difficult to 'hide' - you can take control of these complications and their role in your job search. Here are ten tips to help you land your perfect role in the era of AI and big data:

1. 1. 1. Identify the keywords related to your ideal job: AI in recruitment is based on keywords relevant to the job description. Find keywords that make sense from the employer's perspective, and consider how you can utilise them. 

      2. Use the keywords you've identified: Adding keywords to your CV and LinkedIn strategically will increase your chance of landing an interview. Just make sure not to repeat the same keywords again and again.

      3. Follow 1 and 2 above for each role you apply for: Don't skip out by only following this advice when it's easy; put the same effort into each position you apply for. 

      4. Be up to date: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and consistent with your CV; this way, the AI can feel safe knowing you're telling the truth.

      5. Be comprehensive: Include as much experience as possible in your LinkedIn profile, including volunteer work, internships, and anything else that could make you look well rounded and experienced. Even content that isn't relevant enough for your CV has a home in your LinkedIn profile and shows that you have a wide breadth of experience. 

      6. Keep it simple: Use a simple CV format like Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF. Using a more obscure format could cause errors and complications from the AI.

      7. Google yourself: This way, you'll know what others see when they Google you. If you see anything you'd prefer employers don't find, it may be best to find the ways you can to remove it.

      8. Do a 'spring clean' of your digital footprint: Check for any images or other content that may be unsatisfactory to your potential employer and clean it up so that they can see your best.

      9. Check your social media privacy settings: Make sure that each of your personal accounts is as secure as possible. This way, your potential employer only needs to see your most professional self. 

      10. Leverage your LinkedIn: Start posting quality content on LinkedIn and engage with content posted by others. It shows that you're invested in your career and your growth.