Have you been on the hunt for a job for quite some time? Have you sent your CV to several companies but you’re waiting to hear back from most of them? We know the feeling because everyone has been through a phase of unemployment at some point in their lives.
But instead of fretting and cursing your luck, why not evaluate why it is that you’re not getting called for interviews? Is it because you’re under or overqualified for the jobs that you’re applying to or because recruiters aren’t paying much attention to your CV?
If it’s the latter, you can easily fix the situation. Here’s a list of top CV mistakes and how to avoid them!
1. Not paying attention to grammar
Typos say a a lot about a candidate’s written communication and attention to detail. According to a survey by reed.co.uk, over 50% of recruiters said that poor spelling and grammar are unacceptable. Proof-read your CV for errors like ‘their’ instead of ‘they’re’. Use an online spell-check tool like Reverso to avoid such errors. A fresh pair of eyes will also help to pick up any mistakes you may have missed.
2. Having an unprofessional email address
You’ll be surprised at how many employers don’t bother to read a CV because they are turned off by a candidate’s email address. angelpriya48@hotmail.com might have worked well while you were in college. But it’s an absolute disaster to put on your CV. Instead, stick to the following format – <first name><last name>@gmail.com. If the email address you’re inserting is already taken, try different formats like <last name>.<first name>@gmail.com. If you have a Hotmail or Yahoo account, change it to Gmail because the rest of the email service providers are outdated.
3. Playing Pinocchio
Are you tempted to show that you worked for a longer duration at a company than you actually did? Don’t give in to the temptation! Companies always crosscheck facts and references before they hire. So, if you don’t want to spoil your reputation, avoid lying at all costs. Also, hiding facts like how many CA attempts you gave before you actually cleared your final CA exam will not do you any good either.
4. Being vague
Using lines like “Seeking a challenging position that offers opportunities for professional growth” does not give the employer an idea of what your ambitions are. Similarly, “I took part in many projects” isn’t of much use either as your employer will be none the wiser after reading it. When you are listing out your accomplishments, highlight them specifically. Being specific will let your future employer know that you are hardworking and result-oriented. For instance, writing on the lines of “Looking for a challenging entry-level position in the internal communications department that will allow me to grow my content writing skills ” will give recruiters an idea of what exactly you’re looking for.
5. Inconsistent formatting is the bane of resume writing
Ask yourself this – Would you like to read a book in which the paras have left, centre, and right alignment in a haphazard manner? Then how can you expect your employer to take your CV seriously if the formatting is all over the place? Employers spend less than 15 seconds browsing a CV. If you want to catch their attention, make sure your resume writing and formatting skills are on point!
6. Missing contact information
The goal of a CV is to help you get an interview. If the employers shortlist you but you’ve not included important information, what’s the point? In addition to your name and email address, you also need to include your mobile number and residential address on your resume. You can also include an alternate number like your landline number to make sure that interview call doesn’t get missed!
7. Including irrelevant information
Resume writing has evolved over the years. Nowadays, people no more include their age, hobbies, religion or marital status on a resume. You can check out the best resume formats here. Including irrelevant information not only shows that you aren’t up-to-speed, but it also subjects you to discrimination.
Your CV is your doorway to your professional life. It’s your first impression in the minds of recruiters. So if you don’t pack it with enough punch and flavour, you will be missing out on a great opportunity!
Found this article interesting? Click here to read how you can bag a job without showing your CV!
