CV Mistakes That Keep You Unemployed And How To Fix Them
Karis was exhausted from sending out CVs and applying to different jobs. He’d send out numerous applications, endlessly editing his CV. No feedback. “I have applied to so many jobs, but nothing is working”, he admitted during his CV review.
When our expert CV writers opened his documents, the problem was obvious. A five-page CV crammed with every role, project and skill. Like many job seekers, Karis believed that having more is synonymous with having better. His CV did not impress employers as intended. It overwhelmed them
After working on his CV to 3 focused pages, with roles and duties that aligned with his career goals, something shifted. Interviews started rolling in.
If you are like Karis and you feel like you are qualified yet not getting results, it might be time to work on that CV. Here are five things Karis learned from his CV review
- Career Profile
Karis’s CV began with “Seeking a role to utilise my skills and grow professionally”
Which was very generic. It didn’t tell the recruiters anything about him or the job he wanted
Instead, fix it by replacing it with a tailored career profile. Have 3-4 lines of your expertise, your strengths and how it aligns with the role
2. Irrelevant Personal Details
Evaline, a CV expert on our team, sees this every day when reviewing CVs
Job seekers list their marital status, ID number even religion. But hiring managers only care about your skills, not your personal life.
Fix it by only including your name, contact information, LinkedIn profile link and location if required
3. Outdated Skills
While working on Karis’s CV, he had “proficient in Premiere Pro-2010”, which immediately signals that someone does not keep up.
Employers would pick candidates who evolve with the industry
Fix that by highlighting in-demand skills such as Python and Power BI. These skills will make you stand out more. Upskill as much as possible. Employers love seeing candidates who take the initiative in actively developing themselves
4. Irrelevant Work Experience
Karis’s CV included a part-time internship 10 years ago, and the title was unrelated to his current field.
This will backfire because it dilutes your narrative. A recruiter spends 6-7 seconds scanning through your CV. Don’t make them search longer for relevance.
Focus on achievements, not duties. Keep the roles you have done recently unless critical. If you have to add it, trim older roles to 1-2 lines
The Result?
After cutting these pitfalls, Karis’s CV became sharper and more focused, and most importantly. It brought him more interviews.
Open your CV. Be ruthless. Remove what isn’t serving you or your current career goals.
Need help? Our team specialises in transforming CVs. Invest in our professional CV writing services today!