5 Ways To Tell If Your CV Is Not Impressive

Does your CVresemble a checklist or a to-do list? Have you tried to convince prospective employers of your qualifications by including everything but they sink on your CV? If so, it’s likely not impressive. Every HR professional knows what a job description is and they have seen thousands of CVs. While their goal is to screen CVs and identify qualified candidates, they will put your document aside if it’s not impressive or well-structured. They need to be wowed!

Ways to tell if your CV is not impressive include assessing whether it lists your employment, job titles, dates, education, certifications, and professional development. These elements are essential for verifying your credentials. The rest of the CV should focus on marketing yourself to set you apart from other job seekers. You can outdistance others with differentiating, interesting, and attention-capturing content that can catch the attention of the hiring manager and motivate them to “buy” what you are selling to them.

Here is a CV checklist to help determine ways to tell if your CV is not impressive and if the “HR Lady” is snoring on the other end:

1. Career Profile Length

Is your Career Profile longer than five to six sentences? If so, it’s one of the ways to tell if your CV is not impressive. Keep things short, sweet, and employer-focused. It helps if you write this section last.

2. Soft Skills Overload

Have you included more than two to three soft skills in your CV? Including too many soft skills is another proof your CV is not outstanding. Soft skills should be presented in the context of your work. Avoid generic terms like “hardworking” and “honest” unless substantiated with specific examples.

3. Hard Skills Clarity

Is it difficult to identify your hard skills? This is a critical indicator that your CV lacks impact. Technical skills and proficiencies should be clearly identified and simplified to ensure they are easy to understand.

4. Employment History

Does your employment history resemble a job ad? If you’ve only defined what your job title means rather than focusing on your performance, these are symptoms that your CV is not strong enough. Instead, highlight how you performed, the scope of your work, and the obstacles you overcame.

5. Bullet Points

Do you have about 10 or more bullets under each job description? This is another clear sign that your CV is not compelling. Accomplishments should be concise. Combine similar achievements and support smaller accomplishments without listing an overwhelming number of bullets.

In Summary

Ways to tell if your CV is not impressive can help you identify areas for improvement. An impressive CV can get you noticed and bring you one step closer to an interview and landing your dream job. If your CV isn’t getting you interviews, it’s time for a revamp. Get a professional CV expert to update it for you and start getting those calls!