CV Checkers for Project Managers: The SEO of Job Applications

I tried a bunch of online CV checkers in the last few days (see the list at the end of this post).

(Btw, which ones have you used? And what is your thinking about these tools? Drop a comment to describe your experience.)

Using these tools feels like a double-edged sword. These tools promise to optimise your resume with quick feedback on structure, keywords, and readability. However, they also come with pitfalls that can distract from what truly matters: the quality of your content.

If you’re a project manager, here’s a comparison you’ll relate to: CV checkers are like Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for your resume.

The SEO Analogy: Tools vs. Content

In SEO, you optimise a webpage to rank higher in search engines by improving technical elements: keywords, structure, and metadata. But the heart of great SEO is still powerful, original content that engages readers. No amount of keyword stuffing or metadata tweaks can compensate for lacklustre writing.

CV checkers follow a similar pattern. If you replace the search engine with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) the process is surprisingly similar:

1. Structural Feedback: Their analysis is very structural and follows the form and shape of the written language, for example, your CV’s length, keywords of various kinds, and formatting.
2. Simple Semantic Analysis: focusing on things like action verbs and non-repetition of words and phrases is a classic type of preparation for system readership over humans.
3. Superficial Rewording: They suggest smoother, shorter sentences—but often at the expense of specificity.
4. Lack of Depth: They rarely address whether your CV tells a compelling, original story that resonates with hiring managers.

Just as obsessing over SEO rules can dilute your message, focusing too much on CV tools can lead to a polished but uninspiring resume. If you’re not careful they can be a huge time-suck – it’s just too easy to keep clicking through their lists of issues. There’s a Parkinson’s Law feeling about the number of features they offer.

Pros of CV Checkers

That said, these tools do have value, much like SEO diagnostics:

• Perspective Shifts: They help you spot structural or stylistic issues you’ve overlooked.
• Process Nudges: By highlighting areas for improvement, they can prompt you to rethink your phrasing and focus.
• Basic Polishing: They ensure your CV is free from glaring mistakes in formatting or readability.

For example, they might suggest shortening dense paragraphs or reworking repetitive phrasing—useful starting points for refinement.

Cons of CV Checkers

However, relying too heavily on these tools has clear downsides:

• Generic Feedback: The advice is often one-size-fits-all, lacking the specificity needed for PM roles.
• Superficial Focus: Structural fixes, like keyword placement, don’t address the substance of your CV.
• Weaker Rewording: Automated suggestions can make your CV sound smooth but generic, losing the punch of measurable outcomes and specifics.

Imagine replacing "Delivered a $15M digital transformation project 10% under budget" with "Effectively managed project delivery to meet business goals." It’s smoother, but it sacrifices clarity and impact—like writing bland SEO copy that doesn’t inspire clicks. To be fair, other features look at value statements and quantifiable achievements, but it can be perceived as a mixed message.

Striking the Right Balance

Just like with SEO, you need a balance between technical optimisation and engaging content.

1. Start with a Strong Foundation: Focus on your story first—what you achieved, how you achieved it, and the measurable impact of your work.
2. Use Tools for Polishing: Let CV checkers guide you on technical aspects, but don’t let them define your narrative.
3. Prioritise Impact: Hiring managers care about outcomes. Use data and specific examples to make your achievements clear.

The Takeaway for PMs

As a project manager, your CV isn’t just a keyword list—it’s a showcase of your ability to lead, deliver, and create value. CV checkers can help you refine, but they can’t replace the deep, domain-specific focus required to truly impress a PM hiring manager.

Think of your CV as more than a technical document. It’s content marketing for your career. Write it to capture attention and tell your story authentically—then use tools to polish the edges.

Write your story first. Optimise it second. That’s how you’ll win.

#PMCVsWithImpact #CareerTips #SEOForResumes

CV Checkers I Checked

I checked out the below CV Analysers / Checkers.

• FinalRoundAI
• Kickresume
• ResumeWorded
• Jobscan
• Resumake
• Zety
• SkillSyncer
• VMock

I found a wide range of functions, UI interaction models, quality, and usefulness. And plenty of bugs that made some unusable. There were maybe two that I’d even consider paying for, despite my concerns about their superficiality. The features they offer are mostly useful but not my main focus.

Maybe I’ll do a review of these one day.

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