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1. Lack of Action-Oriented Language, keywords, and metrics

Many CVs focus on job responsibilities, using passive language rather than highlighting accomplishments with active, achievement-focused language. For instance:

❌ Passive: “Negotiated contracts with vendors.”

✅ Active: “Slashed payroll benefits administration costs 30% by negotiating pricing and fees while ensuring the continuation and enhancements of services”.

❌ Passive: Responsible for improving productivity among workers.

✅ Active: Conducted workload assessments and devised new operational processes that led to a 40% increase in productivity.

Failing to include numerical data in your CV often leaves your accomplishments lacking context and impact. Including measurable outcomes, where possible, provides tangible evidence of your professional prowess and demonstrates the positive effect you’ve had in previous roles. While you don’t need to be hyper-specific, incorporating some form of quantification in each statement can significantly boost your CV’s effectiveness. There may be instances where numerical representation isn’t viable, but such cases should be exceptions rather than the norm. Illuminate your accomplishments with numbers, exhibit your influence in your professional endeavors, and let your CV shine with quantifiable success.

2. Not Optimizing for ATS

Many companies leverage Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter and rank CVs in today’s digital world. These sophisticated software solutions scan CVs, evaluating them based on pertinent keywords that reflect the job description.
The harsh reality? Your CV might be disregarded before reaching a hiring manager if it isn’t optimized for ATS. Simply put, your skills and experience could go unnoticed if your CV doesn’t speak the ‘language’ of the ATS.

One common misstep many candidates make is using graphics-heavy CVs with elaborate layouts, images, and columns. While visually appealing, these can actually obstruct ATS scans, causing essential data to be overlooked or misinterpreted by the system.

To boost your CV’s ATS compatibility, prioritise simplicity and clarity. Stick to standard CV formats, refrain from embedding vital information within graphics or images, and strategically incorporate relevant keywords drawn directly from the job description.

3. Using Generic CVs

One common pitfall many job applicants fall into is the practice of sending a generic, ‘one-size-fits-all’ CV to a multitude of different roles. This shotgun approach can seriously undermine your job search efforts, diluting your relevant skills and experiences and leading to missed opportunities.

Why? Because each job you apply for is unique, with specific requirements, expectations, and keywords that an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is trained to identify. A generic CV cannot adequately address these unique aspects.

Tailoring your CV for each job application is not just important; it’s crucial. By aligning your skills, experiences, and achievements to the job description, you clearly understand the role and how you fit into it. It shows you’ve invested time and effort into understanding the company’s needs and how you can fulfill them.

Although it might seem time-consuming, with a well-crafted base CV, customizing it for each job usually doesn’t take long. And the payoff can be substantial: a greater chance of your CV passing through the ATS filters, catching the eye of the hiring manager, and securing that all-important interview. So, resist the urge to blanket-send a generic CV and tailor your way to job search success.

4. Not Tweaking Job Titles

Your official job title at your current company may not accurately reflect your responsibilities or skill set, especially when it comes to targeting a specific new role. What truly matters in a CV is not just the title you’ve held but the duties you’ve performed and the achievements you’ve garnered.

If you’re applying for a position with a slightly different title, it’s crucial to tweak your current job title to mirror that. Aligning your job titles with the ones in the job descriptions can significantly boost the chances of your CV passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and landing in front of a hiring manager. It also creates a coherent and persuasive narrative for the reader.

Consider, for instance, a customer support team lead. Depending on the industry or company, this role could be interpreted as a customer success manager, team manager, customer service supervisor, support coordinator, client relations leader, or customer care team lead.

Similarly, a digital marketing executive might be called a digital marketing coordinator, online marketing specialist, digital marketing analyst, or web marketing strategist.

5. Using Flashy Designs and Fonts

Simplicity Sells!

You might think that a CV filled with colorful graphics, unique fonts, and intricate designs would stand out, but often, it achieves the opposite effect. Not only can it be distracting and perceived as unprofessional, but it can also create issues with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – crucial software many employers use to sort through applications, as explained above.

Excessive use of colors and fancy fonts might come across as a cover-up for lacking skills or experience. Instead, a professional CV should focus on clear, concise content. Effective use of headings and subheadings, along with a touch of color for contrast, can make your CV visually appealing and easy to navigate.

However, there is one notable exception: professionals in creative industries like graphic design or UX/UI can benefit from a more artistic CV to showcase their design skills. Even then, having a more traditional, ATS-friendly CV on hand is highly recommended for optimal compatibility.

6. Using Outdated skills

A common error many CVs make is using vague buzzwords like ‘dedicated,’ ‘hardworking,’ ‘committed,’ etc., in the skills section. This outdated practice does little to differentiate you from other candidates.

Your skills section should be dedicated to hard skills—concrete, technical skills relevant to your target job. If you want to display soft skills, demonstrate them within your CV bullet points through specific achievements and experiences.

Consider these examples:

Instead of saying you’re a ‘team player,’ demonstrate it with: “Collaborated with a team of 10 to create promotional material that increased quarterly sales by 20% in the quarter.”

Rather than stating you’re ‘computer-savvy,’ illustrate it with: “Developed comprehensive Excel spreadsheets that streamlined data management and reduced errors by 90% while reducing 10hrs of manual work”.

And for the love of all things digital, please note: Unless you’ve mastered time travel and it’s the 90s again, ‘Proficiency in MS Office’ doesn’t cut it as a standout skill on your CV!”

7. Having Unnecessary Extras in your CV

Please, don’t be ‘that’ candidate who includes their life biography, pet names, and every minor detail on their CV. Trust me, I’ve seen enough of those to last a lifetime!

Every section in your CV should serve a purpose, adding value to your application by showcasing your qualifications, skills, and experiences most relevant to the job at hand.

Personal details such as your date of birth, gender, marital status, and nationality (unless you’re applying for jobs in markets like the UAE, where such details are commonly included) are typically unnecessary and can be omitted.

Likewise, ‘filler’ sections like hobbies and interests, references, and the old-fashioned ‘objective’ are generally not required. Your CV should focus on your professional abilities and achievements, not personal pursuits or redundant affirmations of your intent to secure a job.

Consider this strategy when detailing your work experience: include only roles relevant to your targeted job. One way to do this is to create an ‘Additional Work Experience’ section, where you can briefly mention past positions that don’t directly align with your current career goals. This allows you to maintain chronological integrity in your CV while spotlighting the experiences most likely to impress potential employers.

Also, including too much early career experience might inadvertently reveal your age, which could lead to age bias.

Trim the Fat from Your CV; remove extras!

8. Sending your CV in .docx or formats other than PDF

Crafting your CV using design software such as Canva or Illustrator might seem appealing; however, these visually engaging CVs often prove incompatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS are employed by most companies today and tend to struggle with accurately scanning and interpreting CVs produced in such design-centric platforms. This could result in your CV being prematurely disregarded.

Even when opting for a more ATS-friendly option like Word, formatting inconsistencies can still be a hindrance. I’ve reviewed numerous CVs sent in Word format that, when opened on my system, were distorted and lost their original formatting. This can lead to critical details getting lost or overlooked, negatively affecting your chances of making the right impression.

What is the optimal solution? Develop your CV using a Word processor, then convert it into a PDF. This ensures your CV remains ATS-compatible and format-consistent across all devices and platforms. Remember, while aesthetics are essential, the main goal of your CV is to communicate your skills, experiences, and achievements clearly and effectively. Maintain a minimalistic design approach and focus more on delivering impactful content – what truly sets you apart.

9. Sending long CVs/ Resumes

I remember my days in recruitment, and one image still sticks: an 8-page-long resume. Unfortunately, it found its place straight into the bin. Why? Because if a job seeker can’t take the time to tailor their resume, I, as a recruiter, can’t afford the time to read it.

Recruiters typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning a CV. Consequently, your CV needs to spotlight the most vital information promptly.

Here’s a geographical rundown of the acceptable length of CVs:

· In the US, one page is the golden standard.
· In the UK, 1-2 pages are considered acceptable.
· Australia is comfortable with 2-3 pages.
· In the UAE and KSA, slightly longer CVs are tolerable due to cultural preferences.

However, no matter where you’re applying, remember that brevity is your friend. The longer your resume, the less time a recruiter spends on each page. Packing your resume with less relevant details dilutes the impact of your significant accomplishments.

A one-page resume should suffice if you’re a student or early-career professional. For those with 5-10 years of experience, the one-page rule can be stretched to two if the additional experience is relevant to the position you’re targeting. Make sure not to incorporate irrelevant coursework, hobbies, or volunteering activities.

Most importantly, if you opt for a longer CV (say, two pages), ensure that your recent and most potent achievements are on the first page. That’s where recruiters’ eyes often stop. Remember, your CV is not an autobiography; it’s a tailored document designed to land you an interview. Less is more.