What Makes A Recruiter Hate Your CV

Source: The Guardian

Most job seekers have settled on using recruitment agencies for their job search. But with the thousands of CVs on the recruiters table what keeps your CV on top of the bunch?

Avoid these and you’ll be giving yourself a better chance of getting into the yes pile each time.

1. Functional or quirky formats
Functional (or skills-format CVs) layouts typically have an enhanced skills section at the beginning of the CV, with a brief work history following. But recruiters generally hate these layouts.

Think about layout from a recruiter’s point of view. A recruiter will be looking for similar experience or a solid employment record to prove your ability to do the job. This is most easily achieved in a traditional chronological format, where job titles and employer details are prominent, and achievements and career progression are in context.

2. Lack of relevance
The most recent work experience and job title must be relevant for the CV to get a second look in a competitive job market.

A simple way to do this is to search the job description for key criteria, then make sure you include relevant details on your CV that show you’re a good match.

Remember to quantify your achievements and be specific about how and where you added value to an employer.

Check that you’re using appropriate terminology for job titles, skills, responsibilities and achievements. If the job description is short on keywords, look at a range of similar roles to get an idea of what’s commonly required.

3. An unclear focus
At the higher end of the job market, it’s essential to have a clear career goal. Headhunters are interested in people who know what they want next in their career, but who aren’t desperate to move at all costs.

4. A weak profile
Cliché and fluff (phrases such as “innovative problem-solver”, “dynamic individual”, etc) can detract from an otherwise strong CV, while a strong initial statement can improve a weak one:

“A personal statement should summarise what the candidate has done in the past, what they want to do next and the skills/knowledge/experience that bridges the two.”

Aim for a brief, factual snapshot, backing it up with examples in the rest of your CV.

5. Missing, inaccurate or hard-to-find information
Don’t imagine that they will be settling down to study yours in order to work out where to place you. Instead, make the key details clear and easy to find.

Check before you submit your CV that it can pass a “five-second” test: is it obvious from a quick scan what role you’re applying for? Have you included relevant keywords and factual evidence to support your application?

Give the months and year of employment – not just the year.

It sounds obvious, but spelling and grammar errors can also get your CV discounted. Keep your CV to two pages and clarify any unusual jargon or terminology.

6. Generic cover letters
Make sure yours is relevant and brief, showing how you match the role requirements. Make it the body of the email, attaching your CV as a Word document.

Get it in focus: too much fluff or cliché won’t make for a happy CV or cover letter.

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