Our resume is the Hiring Manager’s first impression of us, which is why writing one can be a daunting task. It can be challenging to know what should be included and what will make it stand out. That’s why we met with our Technology team last week to learn about common CV mistakes that could cost you the chances of landing your next job.
Read on to learn what we discovered and save your CV from the discard pile.
Having too many pages on your CV
It’s natural to want to include every experience and skill on your CV, and it’s easy to believe this will help you stand out from the competition. However, hiring managers often have to quickly skim through numerous resumes to identify the best candidates. This is why, to make yours stand out, it is best to remove unnecessary details such as hobbies or skills that are not relevant to the role you are applying for, as a dense CV can sometimes put-off the reader.
Instead, highlighting relevant experiences and qualifications will make it easier for hiring managers to see that you are suitable for the position. This is why it is important to keep it concise, and preferably to one page, with a maximum of two pages if necessary.
Different job titles every time
Career changes happen; sometimes you seek job satisfaction in another role, or you realise that your skills and passions lie elsewhere. But having many different job titles can also signal inconsistency and lack of focus to recruiters.
This is because hiring managers and recruiters want to know that you are in it for the long run, and that you are legitimately interested in the role. They additionally want to ensure that they will not have to go through the hiring process for the position again soon.
Moreover, having different job titles can be perceived as possessing inconsistent skills and experiences in any specific field. So, next time you apply for a new role, make sure you are 100% committed and interested in developing your career within the profession.
Overloading your CV with job details
Like having too many pages on a CV, overloading it with job details can also be a red flag for hiring managers. Undoubtedly, it is important to show that your experience and abilities match the job description. Nevertheless, you should always aim to keep a resume concise and easy to read while still demonstrating that you have the required skills and experience for the role. An effective way to do this is by using two to four bullet points briefly summarising the tasks and responsibilities you were given.
Further to that, try putting focus on highlighting the relevant details that can link your previous experience to the role you are applying for, instead of listing every single aspect of the job.
And most importantly – never just write the job title!
Consistent short stint in roles
It’s customary to try different jobs, especially when you have just started your career. Whether you have learnt everything you need from a company or have strategically changed due to better opportunities and pay, leaving a job is a normal part of career growth.
Yet, having many short job stints can also suggest a lack of commitment to recruiters. It might indicate inconsistency in achieving long-term goals and lead recruiters to question your sense of direction since they want somebody who is committed and they can rely on for the long run.
Notwithstanding, you can turn a short stint into a positive by highlighting what you learned on any training or course that you completed during that time. With good reasoning, short stints are understandable and preparing a good explanation during the interview should suffice.
Too many spelling errors
Everyone makes a typo here and there, but multiple mistakes on a resume can appear unprofessional. This is because it suggests that you have not put enough time and effort into preparing your application and therefore hints that you are not serious about the job.
For some, it might even be perceived as lacking vital communication skills, something that is a requirement for most jobs today. Hence, be sure to reread your CV before submitting it!
Employment Gaps
Like changing your job, having time away from work is sometimes necessary. You might have taken time to focus on passion projects or family or even done some travelling. Similarly, to having consistently short stints in roles, having lots of employment gaps may raise questions for Recruiters and Hiring Managers.
For this reason, it is best to have a clear explanation of why you took a break from work prepared in case it comes up during an interview. This additionally prevents interviewers from jumping to conclusions and believing you are not motivated or capable of doing the job. You can turn employment gaps into a positive by explaining what you did during that time and how it helped you grow or develop.
Inappropriate formatting or appearance
Although it may seem obvious, picking a ‘fun’ font or filling your CV with many different colours can be inappropriate when applying for a professional role. This is not to say you cannot make it unique, as a generic CV will not help your case either.
Depending on the job you are applying for, you can add elements to the resume that align with the profession. Keeping it white and adding a pop of colour is always a great way to make it stand out without it looking unprofessional. However, it is best to use stick to simple, legible fonts such as: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, Cambria, and Times New Roman.
Overall, writing a CV does not have to be complicated. It is simply about spotlighting the skills and experiences that you have and relating them to the job description. Thanks to the tips and tricks provided by our Tech team, you should now be able to avoid the typical mistakes and start applying for that dream position!
