The Recruitment Crisis: Why Gen Z Is Rewriting Their CVs

When AI Hinders Hiring

Finding a job in 2026 is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge. The reason is straightforward: the active integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment has transformed the job market. According to a recent study by Greenhouse, which surveyed over 1,100 job seekers in the UK and Ireland, Gen Z candidates are particularly concerned that their resumes appear too robotic. Consequently, many are forced to rewrite their CVs to ensure they pass AI filters with a more "human" tone.

The problem is twofold. On one hand, candidates use AI to polish their resumes, while on the other, companies use automated systems to filter those same documents. This has created a "black hole" where 81% of candidates fail to reach an interview with a company representative. According to Greenhouse Chief People Officer Sharawn Tipton, this is the first time that both employers and job seekers have expressed dissatisfaction with the existing system.

The Disappearance of the Human Factor

Employers are increasingly encountering uniform, AI-polished resumes where it is virtually impossible to discern individuality. Candidates, for their part, feel that their genuine skills and personality traits are lost on paper. 97% of survey participants stated they want the opportunity to showcase skills or experiences that a standard CV cannot capture.

Beyond written applications, AI-conducted interviews are becoming more prevalent. 42% of those surveyed underwent such testing last year. Although 57% believe it is possible to demonstrate skills in this format, the process is still considered inadequate. The system, which was intended to be a "front door," often becomes a dead end for both the candidate and the employer.

What Can Change?

Experts agree that trust must be restored in the recruitment sector. Greenhouse representative Ofir Samson believes that candidates should have a clear understanding of how their data is screened before they submit a resume. Only a transparent process can bring human contact back into recruitment.

In markets where digital transformation is accelerating, these trends are becoming increasingly relevant. As international companies continue to adopt automated screening on a mass scale, local candidates will also need to adapt. However, the core lesson remains unchanged: technology should assist humans, not replace them. Otherwise, the entire employment ecosystem loses its primary purpose: identifying and hiring talented people.