Traditional CVs are costing businesses thousands in poor hiring decisions

With AI-crafted applications on the rise, HR experts warn that CVs are no longer reliable indicators of candidate suitability, leading to significant financial losses for SMEs.

HR expert, Tara Anstee, is alerting business owners to the growing problem of “perfect” CVs that fail to reflect candidates’ actual capabilities, resulting in wasted interview time and extended vacancy periods.

Tara Anstee who runs Zest HR in Basingstoke said, “We’re seeing a concerning trend where AI is being used to create flawless CVs that promise skills and experience the candidates simply don’t possess. This means that business owners waste hours interviewing people who can’t deliver what their application promised.”

The financial impact on businesses is substantial. Research shows that a bad hire can cost a company up to three times the employee’s salary, when factoring in recruitment costs, training time, reduced productivity and potential impact on team morale.

“The real costs go beyond just the hiring process,” Tara explained. “Precious time is wasted on interviews that go nowhere, revenue is lost while key positions sit empty, and business owners’ focus is pulled away from activities that actually grow their business.”

She believes that traditional CVs are becoming increasingly ineffective as filtering tools and recommends alternative approaches to identify suitable candidates:

“Quick skills demonstrations can reveal more in 15 minutes than a two-page CV. Asking candidates to solve real problems from your business shows who can actually deliver results. Team-based interviews help to determine cultural fit and paid half-day trials, while requiring investment, are worth every penny to avoid a bad hire.”

Tara advises that these methods help businesses to cut through the noise and identify candidates with genuine skills and cultural alignment, saving time and resources in the long run.

As an HR consultant, Tara supports businesses with recruitment strategies and advises employers on effective hiring practices. She is currently offering free 30-minute consultations to local business owners who want to improve their recruitment processes.

These consultations can be booked via https://www.zesthr.co.uk/contact/

Zest HR specialises in providing outsourced HR services for SMEs in the Basingstoke area, with a focus on recruitment, retention and performance management.