Writing a CV may seem simple, but a few small mistakes can cost you your job. Tracey Beveridge, HR Director at Personnel Checks, one of the UK's leading background check services, outlines the most common mistakes candidates make, including a phrase that should never appear on your CV if you're serious about landing your dream job.
According to Tracey Beveridge, your CV is the first door that opens the door to the career journey you are pursuing. However, the reality is that many people are eliminated in the first round, without even being read by the employer.
The simple but very common reasons are that the CV is off-topic, lacks strategy and sometimes... uses the wrong words.
Tracey says that resumes typically go through three “gates” before they reach the hands of an official hiring manager, including the applicant tracking system (ATS), the human resources department, and the recruiter. Each has its own assessment criteria, and even a small mistake can send your resume into oblivion.
Some common mistakes when writing a job application CV can cause you to fail in the first round.
The first mistake many people make is using clichés. Generic phrases like “hardworking team player”, “good communicator” or “able to work under pressure” should never appear on a CV, especially at the beginning, says Tracey.
“I know this sounds counterintuitive, but the truth is that employers don’t care what you want or who you think you are. They care about whether you can do the job,” she stressed.
Instead of listing traits that could apply to anyone, Tracey recommends replacing them with specific and actionable information, such as “Award-winning marketing professional in the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sector in Southeast Asia” or “ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) with 5 years of experience in corporate finance”.
The second mistake is not optimizing keywords according to the job description. What many candidates forget is that most large companies today use ATS software to screen CVs. This system will scan the resume and look for keywords that match the job description.
“If your CV doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’re almost guaranteed to be rejected in the first round without anyone opening the file,” Tracey asserts. Before sending your CV, read the job description carefully, identify the key skills and requirements, then refine your CV to make sure they appear in key places, especially the introduction, experience and skills sections.
It is important to tailor your CV to the job you are applying for so that you can include the right keywords and phrases.
The third mistake is writing your CV as if you are telling your life story. A CV is not the place to detail every stage of your life. Effective CVs get straight to the point, highlighting key points such as professional skills, notable experience, relevant certifications and measurable achievements, says Tracey.
“Recruiters don’t have time to read 4-5 pages of CVs filled with irrelevant information. Ideally, keep your CV to 1-2 pages, clearly presented, and easy to read on both desktop and mobile devices,” Tracey notes.
Another mistake is that many people try to "show off" by adding unnecessary elements such as date of birth, marital status, personal interests... This not only does not help but sometimes makes the CV diluted and unfocused.
Instead, Tracey advises keeping only the essentials, such as your name, contact details, qualifications, skills, certifications and notable achievements. “Don’t forget to include your contact details at the top of every page of your CV. You’d be surprised how many people forget this seemingly small detail,” she says.
According to Tracey, a smart candidate is someone who knows how to “sell themselves properly” without being too flashy. A CV is not only a career summary but also a personal marketing document, helping employers easily visualize where you fit into the role.
“Connecting your experience and achievements to what the job is asking for, making the employer feel like you are the piece they are looking for, that will determine whether you get called for an interview or not,” Tracey concludes.
Source VTC News
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