AI is transforming the way we work, and that includes how we apply for jobs. Whether you are in shoreside shipping, cruise, crewing, or marine engineering, AI tools can help you enhance your CV, present your experience more clearly, and tailor your applications to stand out in the global Maritime and Shipping job market.
While we do not recommend using AI for keyword stuffing (adding excessive keywords to try and bypass applicant tracking systems), we do encourage maritime professionals to use AI to support more meaningful improvements.
Here are four ways you can use AI effectively when updating your CV.
1. Strengthening Your CV Content
Updating your CV can be overwhelming, especially when trying to condense years of experience into two pages. Deciding what to include, what to cut, and how to present it clearly is challenging. AI can help by identifying gaps, suggesting clearer language, and improving overall structure. When paired with a job description, AI can highlight relevant experience and guide you in tailoring your CV for different roles, a crucial step in a competitive job market.
A useful first step is summarising your CV into a concise and impactful personal statement. AI can help you write a statement that feels authentic and aligned with your chosen role.
Try prompting AI with:
“Can you help me tailor this CV for a [job title] in the Maritime industry?”
“Based on this job description, what should I highlight on my CV?”
“Please condense this CV to two pages while keeping key experiences.”
“Can you improve these bullet points to sound more results-focused?”
“Which transferable skills should I include for a role in [Shipping/Superyachts/Cruise]?”
Want more tips on how to write a standout CV?
Explore our guide on how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, perfect for professionals in the global maritime and shipping sectors.
2. Checking Spelling and Grammar
Even small mistakes on your CV can make a significant impact. Spelling or grammatical errors can lead hiring managers to question your attention to detail.
While asking friends and family to proofread your CV is a great option, AI tools offer fast and accurate checks.
Prompt examples include:
“Can you check this CV for any spelling or grammar mistakes?”
“Highlight any punctuation or sentence structure issues.”
“Please correct any grammar errors without changing the meaning.”
“Can you proofread this CV and suggest clearer wording?”
For job seekers with dyslexia or other neurodiverse conditions, AI can be an especially helpful and inclusive resource. We also recommend asking AI for clarification on any suggested changes. Crucially, always read and understand any changes made by AI or proofreading tools. You need to be confident discussing your CV in interviews; misunderstanding a suggested change could leave you stuck when questioned by a hiring manager.
3. Improving CV Formatting
A well-formatted CV makes your experience easier to read and more appealing to busy recruiters and hiring managers. From logical structure to clean layouts, AI can help you present your background in the best light.
You can ask:
“Is the structure of this CV clear and easy to follow?”
“Can you suggest improvements to the formatting and layout?”
“Does this CV look professional and well-organised?”
“Can you help me improve readability and layout?”
Look for consistency in fonts, spacing between sections, logical ordering (such as profile > experience > education), and bullet points that are easy to scan. AI tools can review all of this and suggest layout improvements tailored to your role and level of experience.
4. Using AI Tools Effectively
While AI is a helpful tool, it is not a replacement for your own voice and experience. Over-relying on AI can lead to CVs that feel generic or overly robotic. Hiring managers can often spot copy that lacks personality or context.
Use AI to polish and guide your writing, but ensure your final CV reflects your authentic career journey. It is your story, AI should help tell it better, not rewrite it.
To get started, consider tools like:
Grammarly – for spelling and grammar
Quillbot – for rewriting and clarity
Hemingway Editor – for simplifying complex language
ChatGPT – for content review, job-specific tailoring, and formatting suggestions
Whether you are seeking a new sea-going position or transitioning ashore, AI can help you create a CV that gives hiring managers the best impression of you.
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