Career resources platform CV Genius has released its 2024 CV & Cover Letter Trends Survey, offering insights into best practices for UK job applications.

Conducted in April and May 2024, the survey polled 625 UK hiring managers to gauge their expectations of job seekers regarding CVs and cover letters, focusing on formatting, specific CV sections, skills, and potential red flags.

80% of respondents expressed distrust towards AI-generated content, indicating a preference for genuine, personally-written applications.

49% of hiring managers would consider an underqualified candidate if they presented a strong cover letter while 65% of hiring managers reject poorly-formatted CVs. Moreover, 71% highlighted teamwork or problem-solving skills as one of the three most important soft skills for candidates.

Seb Morgan, lead career expert at CV Genius, stated, “Given the current state of the UK job market, hiring managers are directing increased scrutiny at every job application. It’s therefore crucial that candidates know to make the right first impression on employers.”

The survey also debunked the widely-cited statistic that recruiters spend just 7 seconds reviewing a CV. Instead, hiring managers reportedly spend an average of 2 minutes and 17 seconds on each CV, with 31% spending over 3 minutes and 26% spending between 2 to 3 minutes.

The importance of CV formatting cannot be overstated, with 65% of hiring managers indicating they are less likely to hire an applicant whose CV is poorly formatted. This sentiment is particularly strong among Baby Boomer and Gen X hiring managers, who are significantly more critical of job-hopping compared to their Millennial and Gen Z counterparts.

Specifically, Gen X hiring managers are 58% more likely than Millennials to consider frequent job changes as a red flag, while Gen Z and Millennials are 30% more likely to overlook long employment gaps.

AI-generated content on CVs and cover letters is generally viewed negatively, with 80% of hiring managers expressing distrust. Samuel Johns, senior career counsellor and recruiting manager at CV Genius, commented, “Many hiring managers perceive generative AI as a bit of a shortcut. If nothing is written in your own words, should I really take your commitment to the job seriously?”

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Teamwork and problem-solving skills emerged as the most valuable soft skills, with 48% of hiring managers prioritising teamwork and 40% valuing problem-solving and critical thinking. Verbal communication, time management, and adaptability were also highlighted as important skills.

Cover letters continue to play a significant role in hiring decisions, with 57% of hiring managers considering them influential or extremely influential. Notably, 49% of respondents would consider an underqualified applicant if they submitted a highly persuasive cover letter.

Geoffrey Scott, senior career counsellor and hiring manager at CV Genius, emphasised the importance of cover letters, stating: “They add depth to a job application, providing a window into the candidate’s career goals, personality, and qualitative strengths.”