Are you making any…?
Despite living in a digital age, most employers still want to see a CV from job applicants. They’ll use your CV to decide if you have enough relevant skills and experience for their job vacancy and are worth the time of an interview.
Therefore, your CV is one of the most important documents you will write, and it can make the difference between landing your dream job and being rejected before you have left the starting block.
As a Recruiter, I have reviewed 1000s of CVs throughout my career. I know what makes a good CV that is more likely to get you invited for interviews. And I know what makes a poor CV that will send you straight to the reject pile.
Here is my guide to the five most common mistakes candidates make when writing their CVs. Don’t apply for another role before checking you haven’t made these, too!
Mistake 1 – Poorly formatted CV.
As mentioned, Recruiters are sent CVs ALL THE TIME. Therefore, they don’t have time to sift through a poorly formatted CV to determine whether you have the right skills and experience for the job. If your relevance to the role doesn’t jump out straight away, there is a chance you may be sent to a reject pile, even if you are the perfect candidate.
Sometimes it is not even a person reviewing the CV in the first sift, but a computer or Automated Tracking Software (ATS) programmed to read CVs in a certain way.
If you are unsure how to format your CV, I have a FREE downloadable professional CV/resume template just for you here.
Mistake 2 – Not using the relevant keywords.
This is another critical mistake, as you don’t know who is doing the first CV sift and how familiar they are with the role and department. Some organisations outsource this task to an offshore team or use an ATS for CV screening.
The recruitment team will have told the ATS system and offshore team to look for specific keywords to determine who to progress (or not). Therefore, your CV is not the time to use abbreviations or internal lingo. Instead, read the job advert and ensure your CV uses the same language and keywords. This will give you the best chance possible of passing the initial screen.
Mistake 3 – Keeping it too brief (or too long).
As a rule of thumb, your CV should be about 2-3 pages long. Anything more won’t get read (it also demonstrates that you cannot prioritise what is essential). Anything shorter won’t give the Recruiter the necessary information to decide whether you are suitable for the role.
Top Tip: If you are worried about going over 2-3 pages, try to narrow the margins to fit more words onto the page rather than reduce the font size, which will make your CV harder to read.
Mistake 4 – Forgetting to include contact details!
This happens more often than you might think! A Recruiter receives your CV and thinks you look brilliant for their vacancy, but has no way to contact you because you forgot to include your contact details.
At a minimum, you should include your full name, telephone number and email address at the top of your CV. To be really helpful, include your address so the Recruiter knows how close you are to other roles they may be recruiting for, and your LinkedIn profile URL.
Mistake 5 – Spelling mistakes.
This is such a huge no-no. Spelling mistakes throughout your CV make you look sloppy, and someone who overlooks things and doesn’t check their work. Recruter anyone?!?
Put your CV through a spell-checker. Read, read and then reread your CV. Then, get someone else to read it to ensure no wrong spelling has slipped through the net.
So there you have it – my top 5 mistakes when writing your CV. And if you want to know how to write your CV the RIGHT way, check out my blog post – How to write a great CV in six easy steps.
And don’t forget that cover letter. Get my expert advice on how to write a stand-out cover letter effortlessly here.
Good luck. I can’t wait to hear how you get on with your job search. Let me know by connecting with me on LinkedIn or tagging me on Instagram. I can’t wait to hear that you have landed your dream job!
Spotted a mistake you’ve been making? Don’t fret! Our CV Glow-Up service is designed to transform your CV from a simple document into a compelling story that showcases your unique professional journey. At Investing in Women, we bring over 17 years of recruitment expertise to ensure your CV not only avoids these common errors but also stands out in the competitive job market. With our industry-specific keyword optimisation and a cover letter that commands attention, you’ll be ready to make a lasting impression on recruiters. Dive into our CV Glow-Up service, and let’s get your CV ready to shine!