AI vs Job Seekers: Will Your CV Ever Reach a Recruiter?

A friend reached out to me recently to ask if sourcers/recruiters actually look at CV’s like they claim to do when applicants apply for a role.

He applied for a job at 9am and in less than 30 mins, he got rejected? He was so certain his CV this not go through the desk of a “HUMAN”

He was confused, there was no way a recruiter would have assessed or screened the CV within 30 minutes. Did he submit the wrong application *Trust me people have uploaded a lot of document during application: *uber eats receipt inclusive*

Which brings me to these questions?

Are Recruiters checking out these CVs or Perhaps Recruiter AI?

SHRM's latest 2026 benchmarking data, covering more than 4,600 organizations, puts median non-executive time-to-fill at 39 calendar days. In its 2025 benchmark, the median was approximately 45 days, measured from opening the requisition until offer acceptance.

Greenhouse's dataset shows a longer 59.7-day average time-to-fill in 2025, illustrating how much methodology and employer mix can change the benchmark.

For analysis,around 5–8 weeks to produce a hire as a reasonably broad benchmark, with popular remote or entry-level positions sometimes receiving 100 more.

Recruiters spend half of their days going through CVs and shortlisting them if they are a fit for the role.

For a typical job posting, there isn't one universal average because applications vary significantly by country, industry, seniority, employer brand, salary, remote status, and how specialized the role is. Current recruiting benchmarks suggest anything from roughly 50 to 250+ applications per vacancy can be normal, with popular remote or entry-level positions sometimes receiving hundreds more.

Before the advent of AI and Keybuzz word, I posted a job for a role in the USA and over a 1000 application,It took me a week to go through these CVS manually and trust me it was no fun, for a job that clearly says “Remote in the USA”, a lot of candidates applied outside of the USA, I mean 80% are on the other side of the world.I had less than 10% qualified candidates after going through mountains of CVS but hey, I did get a HIRE! Hurray!

It’s 2026, Time is so important/valuable and Recruiters now have tools that will better manage candidates inbound and reduce time to hire! Hello Efficiency! But Adios to getting your CV in front of the Recruiter if you are not really strategic about it.

Will Job seekers win this battle against AI or Recruiter? Of course they will.

Job seekers are not competing with candidates, competing against Recruiters,competing against time and finally competing against AI.

I will share ways on how to better “OPTIMIZE” your CV, I think we have stopped using the term “TAILOR” your CV to bypass the ATS, I will advise that you * Tailor it to clearly show why you're relevant for the role*. If you bypass the ATS you cannot run away from the mighty hands of the Recruiter during screening calls or the hiring manager or coding task etc.

So you need to cross your T’s and dot your I’s, the road to that dream job can be a lil bumpy. You need a lot of tool kits and resources to make the ride fun 🙂

Let me give you some cheat codes on getting your dream job:

• To tell the truth- I know a lot of candidates put their resume into CHATGPT alongside the job description and just call it a day. Not every role requires “AI JARGONS”, some need your authenticity. Some need you to tell your story in the most genuine kind of way.You do not need to polish and highlight all of the keywords for you to stand out.

• Look at the job description and read IT- Yes, a lot of job seekers take one look at the job and go ahead to apply. When a job says Onsite, remote or hybrid. Follow that instruction. It will get you closer to getting the job. Do not drop your CV into ChatGPT or any AI tools just to copy and paste it so you can apply for a role.
• Avoid Apply Now on LinkedIN: I think this is a ragebait to get you to apply and be on your way. A cheat code for you is to go to the actual job/company’s website and see if those roles are open. You can see if the job is active or live. Apply directly from there and good luck!
• Connect with Recruiter: Some jobs have the recruiter who posted the role indicated in the background. You can connect with them and send a quick message “A little introduction about yourself and letting them know you are a fit for role XYZ and you just applied for a role”
• Connect with Employees/Referral: Company’s have referral bonuses and trust me “employees sure do love this benefit” You can create a healthy relationship or ongoing conversation with the employee. You can let them know you applied for a role in their company and you can tell them what you do, the links to your project etc. Do not be a stalker :)
• This is no dream CV: You cannot have a one size fit all CV, you have to make sure you apply for the role that best fit your skills, experience and “lifestyle”
• Stalk a company you really love!: If you love a company, you should stalk! Not in a creepy kinda way. Just checking for information and keeping on with the news in the market, did they raise funds recently, was there a change in leadership, layoffs?? You do not want to be the LIFO *Last in first out*.
• Use AI: Definitely not the bad guy! You have to research, check companies, how best to match your CV with the job posted and *many smart moves* on how to put your best foot forward.

Finally! I know this is a rat race against so many factors but like Our CEO “Adriaan will say” Until then, keep trying and keep applying. No one remembers rejections; it only takes one 'yes' to change it all. But don't take my word for it.

As someone on LinkedIn posted…

The Beatles were turned down by Decca Records executive, Dick Rowe, who believed that 'guitar groups were on the way out' and that 'they had no future in show business'.

Michael Jordan didn't make it to his high school basketball team

Lady Gaga got dropped by her record label, Island Def Jam, after three months

James Dyson had 5,126 failed prototypes of his 'bagless vacuum cleaner' before the next one worked.

May this rejection be a tiny and forgotten step on the road to your next big 'yes'. The one that really matters!

Because you truly have to keep trying and throwing your net into the river, there are over 33,000 known living species of fish in the world and that one “GOLD FISH” will find its way into your net.

A little sparkles before I go

Of course AI might change how recruiters screen applications, but it doesn't remove the need for a good candidate. We still need that purple unicorn or squirrel that will fit all the boxes the hiring manager requires. That stellar candidate that will “SHINE” beyond the company’s mission and vision! And that could be “YOU”.