AI, CVs and Early Careers – Why Evidence Matters More Than Ever

If you work in education, careers, HR or business, you will already know that the recruitment landscape is shifting. AI tools are transforming how CVs are produced, employers are reporting skills shortages, and young people are finding it harder than ever to move into work.

More than nine hundred thousand young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment or training, while early careers job opportunities continue to fall. It is becoming clear that the traditional CV is struggling to keep up with what young people and employers now need.

This article explores why CVs are becoming less reliable, what employers are looking for, and how evidence-based profiles can help young people present their real skills and potential.

1. AI has changed the CV forever

AI tools can now produce a polished, well-structured CV in seconds. For employers, this means:

• More applications than ever

• CVs that often look and sound the same

• Less confidence that a CV reflects the real person

Many hiring managers say they are unsure how much of a CV has been written by AI. Others report that applications often feel overly polished without giving an insight into a candidate’s genuine strengths or personality.

AI has not created these issues, but it has brought them into sharper focus.

2. The CV was already under pressure

Even before AI, CVs had limitations.

They rely on self-reporting.
A CV is a list of unverified claims, which can be difficult to check. This is especially challenging for early-career candidates who may not have long work histories.

They reward wording rather than ability.
A young person may have great communication or teamwork skills, yet struggle to express them in writing. Meanwhile, AI tools can help others create perfect descriptions without the underlying experience.

They show a snapshot, not a journey.
A CV rarely shows how someone has grown, what they have overcome or how they developed their skills.

They do not reflect how young people build skills today.
Many young people gain valuable experience through caring responsibilities, volunteering, creative work, sport or community action. These strengths do not always fit neatly into a traditional CV.

AI has simply made these weaknesses harder to ignore, with recent reports showing that –

76% of hiring leaders have received AI-generated CVs that included false information, 

73% say they can spot CVs that have been enhanced by AI, 

And nearly 80% now say they prefer more authentic, evidence-backed signals when reviewing candidates.

3. The risk for employers and young people

When CVs become harder to trust, employers risk overlooking talented candidates because they cannot see their full picture.

This is particularly concerning for young people who have the right skills, but not the traditional experience that CVs prioritise. As a result:

• Employers may struggle to find the skills they need

• Young people may struggle to get a foot in the door

• Recruitment becomes less fair and less efficient

There is a widening gap between how young people demonstrate potential and how employers recognise it.

4. What employers are now looking for

Across sectors, there is a clear shift towards more reliable and meaningful information. Employers want to see:

• Examples of skills being used in real contexts

• Evidence of contribution to activities or projects

• Verified qualifications or experience

• Soft skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience

• A sense of the person behind the application

This is especially important for apprenticeships, internships, work experience and entry-level roles where potential matters as much as experience.

5. How Startingpoint supports a more evidence-based approach

Startingpoint is designed to help young people show who they are through real evidence rather than polished claims. It gives employers a clearer, more authentic picture of a learner’s skills, achievements and growth over time.

Here is how it supports this.

Skills connected to real evidence

Learners can link skills to activities such as part-time jobs, sports, caring roles, volunteering or creative projects. Evidence can include images, videos, links and reflections. This helps employers understand how skills were developed.

Verified qualifications

Where possible, qualifications and experiences can be verified by schools, colleges, employers and even sports coaches. This gives employers greater confidence in the accuracy of what they are reviewing.

A short video introduction

A brief video allows learners to introduce themselves, explain their motivations and highlight key experiences. This adds a human layer that AI cannot replicate.

A fairer route for early talent

Evidence-based profiles help employers recognise real potential and ensure that young people are not overlooked because they lack traditional experience or the ability to write a polished CV.

6. Practical ideas for employers and educators

CVs are not disappearing, but organisations can strengthen their approach by combining CVs with evidence-led practices.

For employers and HR teams

• Ask for evidence of skills and achievements alongside a CV

• Give more weight to verified information

• Use small tasks, work samples or scenario questions

• Connect with education providers that use evidence-based platforms

For educators, advisers and youth organisations

• Encourage learners to record experiences as they happen

• Support them to reflect on what they learned

• Use Startingpoint to help them build a living profile

• Focus on helping young people tell their authentic story

A more reliable and human way forward

AI-generated CVs are here to stay. They will continue to become more convincing and more widely used.

But this does not mean recruitment has to become a game of trying to spot what is real. Instead, we can change what we value.

• From claims to evidence

• From snapshots to ongoing growth

• From polished wording to real potential

For early-career talent in particular, the traditional CV is struggling to reflect the strengths and experiences that matter.

Evidence-based profiles give employers, educators and young people a clearer, fairer and more human way to share skills and achievements. If you would like to explore how Startingpoint can support your organisation, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can give young people the tools and confidence they need to take their next step with clarity and pride.