Senior IT jobseekers urged to streamline CVs for AI‑driven hiring

David Shanahan of Irish recruitment firm IT Search says experienced IT and tech professionals risk missing out on senior roles unless they tailor their CVs to the specific challenges employers face.

Key advice for senior candidates

Shanahan, a director at IT Search and member of the Vertical Markets Group, notes that many candidates progress through three or four interview stages only to be rejected at the final decision point. Companies are now recruiting senior hires to address particular needs such as AI adoption, cybersecurity, cloud strategy or modernising legacy systems, and they look for candidates whose recent experience aligns closely with those priorities.

He advises candidates with 20‑plus years of experience to be ruthless about what to include. Rather than a five‑page record, the CV should focus on the last eight to ten years, summarising earlier roles briefly. Each entry should specify the scale of the role, what was changed, what was personally delivered and the quantifiable impact.

Shanahan warns against generic skill descriptions. Instead, senior applicants should highlight leadership qualities and concrete achievements that differentiate them from early‑career competitors. By presenting a concise, results‑focused CV, candidates can demonstrate relevance and reduce perceived risk for employers.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Letícia Alvares / Pexels.