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Seven reasons your CV is guaranteed to end up in the bin

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According to an article in The Independent last year, on average, there’s six seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention, or end up in the reject pile.

There is plenty of advice on jobsites on how to write the perfect CV, but what are the most common mistakes that ensure your CV is on a one-way trip to the bin?

  1. Ignore instructions

If there’s an application deadline, don’t miss it. If the vacancy description asks for a covering letter, write one. Should you need to provide proof of residency, or that you’ve got a clean driving licence, or meet any of the other criteria specified, make sure you can.

When it comes to covering letters, a catch-all response is unlikely to work. Employers want to know that you have put time and effort into your application, and that you understand how your skills and experience fit in with their requirements. If you’ve decided that you are right for the job, now is your chance to tell them why.

  1. Forget to check for typos

Not every position demands a perfectly put-together CV. However, nothing will undermine your application faster than claiming you’ve excellent written English, or an eye for detail, than failing to correct your own mistakes.

It’s often hard to proofread something you’ve just written. It’s too familiar, so you read what you expect to see, not what’s actually on the page. Take a break, then find a quiet place where you can concentrate. Try reading your application aloud, so you aren’t tempted to skip any of the content. And ask a friend to help; since they’ll be reading it for the first time, they’ll come to it with a completely fresh eye.

  1. Waffle

Many recruiters have to read hundreds of CVs for every vacancy. They’re often working to a deadline, juggling multiple recruitment campaigns or managing other aspects of their job. They won’t have the time or inclination to plough through long CVs, unless you’ve a really compelling way with words!

What they are hoping to see — pretty much at a glance — is where you’ve worked, what you’ve achieved and what skills or qualifications you’ve acquired. Try to keep your CV to 2 pages of A4, and focus on the areas that are the most relevant to your current application. If you’ve other skills you want them to be aware of, you can always include a link to an online CV or portfolio.

  1. Forget appearance

Our brains are hardwired to act on first impressions. So, if your CV is badly formatted or difficult to read, you’ll immediately be at a disadvantage. The reviewer will have to work hard to overcome their initial assessment, and with so much else to do, they may just not bother. That doesn’t mean your CV has to be boring. In fact, if you are applying for any kind of creative role, how your CV looks can be as important as the information it contains.

There are plenty of professional CV layouts that you can download for free. And, if you are asked to apply using online HR software, like Cezanne HR, remember to take advantage of the formatting options that are available to you, so that your application looks as professional as possible.

There are plenty of professional CV layouts that you can download for free. And, if you need help with formatting, online HR software like Cezanne HR, can help make your application look as professional as possible

  1. Leave gaps

You may feel that the 6 months you spent traveling, working for a family friend or resting between jobs, isn’t worth mentioning. However, having unexplained gaps in your employment history makes recruiters nervous. Even if the rest of your CV looks great, those missing few months can mean the difference between an interview and an outright rejection.

Don’t cover up gaps, explain them.

  1. Bad-mouth former employers

You may be having a horrible time with your current employer, or left a previous job because they didn’t treat you well, but now is not the time to talk about it.

Recruiters are looking for people that will make a positivecontribution to their business, and they want to see that reflected in your attitude. Be professional, focus on the aspects of previous jobs that you’ve enjoyed, the skills you’ve gained, and what you can bring to your new employer.

  1. Apply for a job you aren’t qualified to do

While you may think you could do the advertised job standing on your head with your eyes shut, potential employers will have decided on the mix of skills and experience they are looking for. If you are short of experience in one area, it may be that you can make up for the shortfall by demonstrating relevant competence elsewhere. But, you need to be honest with yourself.

However confident you are that you can do the role, if you don’t have the requisite qualifications or background, you are better off investing your time in honing your CV and applying for more appropriate roles.

Image Source: Sebastien Wiertz

Have you had little luck with applying for jobs? Share your experience below.

Career CamelSeven reasons your CV is guaranteed to end up in the bin

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