Recruiters in the UAE have warned that many young people are relying too heavily on artificial intelligence to create CVs, resulting in documents that lack authenticity, are easy to spot and mostly end up in the bin.

They are encouraging Gen Z – born between 1997 and 2009 – to combine “new school tools” with “old school effort” while applying for jobs.

A personalised CV or message written in your own voice still stands out to a millennial or baby-boomer manager, says Nicki Wilson, owner and managing director of Dubai-based consultancy Genie Recruitment.

“Social media presence matters, but authenticity is key. Learn to market yourself genuinely, show your skills and build your brand,” she recommends. “Video CVs are memorable and can work well, but they haven’t gone mainstream.”

Data from strategy consultancy Public First shows that 87 per cent of young professionals in the UAE now turn first to digital platforms to look for employment.

Goodbye to traditional approach

Unlike previous generations, which relied heavily on personal networks or classified ads, Gen Z is ditching the traditional approach to job hunting in the UAE, according to Pedro Lacerda, UAE country head at recruitment agency Tasc Group.

Job boards, professional networking sites such as LinkedIn and even social media channels like Instagram and TikTok are key sources, wh