The effectiveness of traditional CVs is being called into question, according to a recent survey conducted by the graphic design site Canva. The study, based on responses from 10,000 hiring managers and job seekers in eight countries, including France, highlights the growing importance of visual presentation and artificial intelligence in the recruitment process.
Visually attractive CVs: an undeniable asset
According to the survey, only 22% of recruitment managers in France say they are satisfied with the CVs they receive. Visually appealing CVs and creative portfolios are emerging as key elements to stand out as the job market becomes increasingly competitive. Duncan Clark, Head of Europe at Canva, highlights the importance of a visually powerful application, saying that “71% of hiring managers expect text-only resumes to decline in the next five years. »
Current and future trends in CVs
The layout is an essential criterion. According to the study, 74% of recruiters in France rank “layout” among the five most important elements when reviewing a CV. The time spent reading CVs is also an important element. And for good reason, more than half (55%) of French recruiters say they spend between 30 seconds and three minutes reading a CV before determining whether the candidate matches the position to be filled.
The study also shows that we are heading towards the end of the era of text CVs. Indeed, the emerging trend points towards more visual CVs, with 70% of French recruiters expecting text-only CVs to become obsolete within the next five years. Generative AI tends to emerge as an effective alternative. A third (33%) of French job seekers have already used generative AI to create, update or improve their CV. 70% of them are ready to reuse this technology to simplify the process, save time (62%) and stimulate their creativity (61%).
Employer branding and differentiation
In addition to CVs, the study highlights the growing importance of a company’s employer brand in the recruitment process. 78% of French job seekers believe that the employer brand influences their interest in a position.
In reality, the Canva study demonstrates that the world of recruitment tends to evolve towards visual and interactive criteria. As text-only resumes lose their relevance, the combination of design and technology becomes crucial to stand out in an increasingly competitive job market.
