Are the days of the CV numbered? Is the once necessary document now unnecessary and, if anything, more of a problem than a cure for finding the talent an organisation needs?

At a virtual round table, held by The HR World and sponsored by Vizzy, these and other aspects of the CV came under debate among HR professionals and experts. With lead speakers, Michelle Rajkumar, Director, Talent, People Team, Railpen; Chris Bleakley, Director of Resourcing, Spire Healthcare Group and Jess Woodward-Jones, Co-Founder of Vizzy, the round table became a lively debate featuring a sharing of ideas and practices used within the talent search arena.

While some people in the discussion still saw the use and value of the CV, there was a general acceptance that AI-generated CVs and cover letters, as well as an increase in application volume and a challenging jobs market, were problematic. For example, CV screening followed by in person or online interviews is generally being used to verify and backup first impressions.

While there was some openness toward other formats there was also some reservation – video CVs were given as an example of a format that didn’t always feel right for employers. There was a general acknowledgement however that the CV did not always capture the skills and aptitudes of individuals, and that Generation Z in particular could feel constrained by the format. In some professions the concept of the CV no longer exists, while questions were also raised over whether the document worked when considering internal talent.

Whichever format was chosen to package and communicate talent the discussion made it clear that anyone making recruitment selections in this way should undergo training in order to understand how to interpret and use the format effectively. When better insights are uncovered, talent acquisition teams and hiring managers can make more informed decisions as long as teams have a clear understanding of the skillsets – soft and hard – that are desired.

With experience and ideas being shared enthusiastically, the event demonstrated how methods and tools used to assess talent were evolving and adapting to current challenges. This aspect of talent acquisition will be interesting to follow in the future as new generations of employees enter the workplace and employers continue to try and find the skills their organisations need.