In order to be successful and thrive in today’s job market, one should begin by putting themselves in the Recruiters or Hiring Managers shoes who are browsing through 100s of CVs every day!  

The perception and first impression of your CV is not the only factor in getting the job, but it is an important step to getting that all important first interview! As we know, there are no second chances for a first impression. 

The CV is the strongest marketing tool in one’s arsenal, and it needs to stand out to present you and your skills in the best way possible.

Small and large organisations alike use different application tracking systems to aid in the screening of CVs too which is why you should be sure that your CV is tailored for the role and employer you wish to work for by focusing on your qualifications, experience and skills sets that would appeal to them. 

So, what are the most common mistakes found on CVs that could put a roadblock in the way of your CV reaching the right hands?

Our recruiters review 1000+ CVs a week and here are some of the most common mistakes that we advise job seekers to avoid:

(1): Providing Incorrect or Irrelevant Personal Information 

Once you have applied for a role, you sit and wait but the phone never rings! Have you put the right number? Included the prefix? As simple as this may sound, it is so important to double check the contact details. Extra personal information, such as marital status and driving license (unless required), for example, is not needed.

(2): Spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors 

A pet peeve of many Recruiters and Employers is simple mistakes on your CV that are easily avoided. It is so important to double-check all spelling on your CV and ensure that you are consistent throughout. 

English might not be your first language and you might struggle to find these mistakes. A thorough second read-through can help ensure good spelling and grammar, to reflect your true level of English.

(3): Hiding important information within your CV 

Some people feel that putting important information on display may come across as overconfident, however, your CV is your chance to impress and qualify for a job. It is recommended that you make all relevant information stand out, highlighting why you would be the best choice for a role.

(4): Leaving un-explained gaps in your employment 

When a Recruiter reads your CV, you should aim to leave no questions unanswered in the timeline of your CV. For example, be honest if you took a gap year of a few months off to avoid any doubts.

(5): Misleading Information 

While “the more, the merrier” applies to many things, a CV is not one of them. It is important to only add skills which you have mastered and completed.

Experienced hiring managers will spot misleading information, and employers often conduct background checks.

It is important that your CV shows your true skills in the best light. It is equally if not more important to bend the truth just to get a job.   

(6): A long, badly formatted CV 

Many countries and cultures have different trends in relation to your CV length and format. It is always important, however, to keep a CV concise and to the point.

Keep focus on transferable, recent and relevant achieves that an employer wants to see. This applies for qualifications too! 

Format your CV so it is easy and quick to read on a screen, stick to easy-to-read fonts, a regular font size, and ensure your CV is a document and not an image. Many Employers use systems to upload your CV to. This means that if your CV is an image and not a text document, it might not show up in the recruiter’s searches.   

Our experienced recruiters can definitely help you when it comes to getting your CV ready for your job hunt! If you are looking to discuss your options, or need help figuring out your next step, contact us!