Question 1

How do I tailor my CV to a specific job description?

Accepted Answer

Paste the full job description into ApplyAI along with your CV. Our AI extracts the key skills, responsibilities and keywords from the posting and rewrites your CV so those terms appear naturally in your summary, experience bullets and skills section — without inventing anything that isn't true.

Question 2

What keywords should I include to pass ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scans?

Accepted Answer

ATS software ranks CVs by how well they match the job description. Use the exact job title, hard skills (e.g. 'Python', 'Salesforce'), tools, certifications and industry terms from the posting. ApplyAI Pro extracts these automatically and shows you a match score so you know what's missing.

Question 3

How long should a CV be?

Accepted Answer

One page if you have under 5 years of experience, two pages if you have more. Recruiters spend 6–8 seconds on an initial scan, so front-load your strongest achievements and cut anything older than 10–15 years unless it's directly relevant.

Question 4

Should I include a personal statement or profile?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a 2–3 line profile at the top of your CV summarising your role, key skills and what you're looking for helps recruiters place you quickly. ApplyAI generates a tailored profile for every application so it matches the specific role.

Question 5

How do I explain employment gaps?

Accepted Answer

Be honest and brief. Mention caring responsibilities, study, freelancing, travel or health in one line — don't hide it. What matters is what you did to stay current (courses, volunteering, side projects). Address it in the cover letter, not the CV itself.

Question 6

Is it okay to use AI to write my CV?

Accepted Answer

Yes, provided the facts are accurate and the final version sounds like you. AI is excellent at structuring, tightening bullet points and matching keywords. Always review the output, correct anything inaccurate, and add specifics (numbers, results, tools) that only you know.

Question 7

Why am I not getting interviews?

Accepted Answer

The three most common reasons are: (1) your CV isn't tailored to each role, (2) it lacks measurable achievements — use numbers, percentages and outcomes, and (3) it's failing ATS keyword scans. ApplyAI addresses all three in one click.

Question 8

Do I still need a cover letter?

Accepted Answer

For most professional roles, yes — especially in the UK. A short, tailored cover letter (250–350 words) explaining why you want this specific role at this specific company still moves the needle. ApplyAI writes one for every application.

Question 9

What CV format is best — modern, classic or minimal?

Accepted Answer

Classic for finance, law and government. Modern or minimal for tech, design, marketing and startups. Never use heavy graphics, columns or photos for ATS-heavy applications — they confuse the parser. Pro users can export in all three formats.

Question 10

How do I write a CV with no work experience?

Accepted Answer

Lead with education, projects, volunteering, part-time work and transferable skills. Quantify everything you can — 'organised a fundraiser that raised £2,300' beats 'organised events'. ApplyAI adapts the structure automatically when you upload a student or graduate CV.

CV & job application FAQ

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