A good resume is the only thing that stands between a dream job and Option D for most job seekers. If you write a good resume, you’ll get responses from every other company you apply to.
1. Having spelling errors and bad grammar
Checking over your CV from beginning to end, whether you proofread it yourself or have someone else do it, might mean the difference between being accepted or being rejected.
Before emailing it, it’s advisable to print it out and read it. When anything is printed, you notice a lot more.
2. Exaggerating the truth
Writing that you’re a Microsoft Excel expert may seem like a good idea at the time, but you’ll quickly regret it when you get the job and are asked to perform a V-lookup.
While it may improve the appearance of your CV, if you can’t back up your skill levels when questioned in an interview, it will show.
It’s crucial to be sure of yourself and your abilities, but don’t deceive or oversell yourself.
Be honest about your knowledge and your desire to learn more. Remember that you can always learn new skills.
3. Poor formatting
When employers glance at your CV, one of the first things they notice is faulty formatting. It may reflect poorly on you because it appears that you do not pay attention to detail.
Make sure the layout is as close as perfect as possible because your CV is you on paper. This means no typos or jarring font changes halfway through
There’s no purpose in reading on if something is poorly formatted or if candidates don’t sell themselves well in the first few paragraphs
4. A Cliché Profile
You’ll come out as someone who lacks innovative thoughts if your personal profile is filled of clichés.
You’d be shocked how many CVs are read that include the phrase “I’m a hardworking, motivated individual who works well both independently and in a team.”
Although these are admirable qualities, HR is looking for you to expand on them. Consider how you acquired these abilities. What does it have to do with the job you’re applying for?
A short personal statement or professional bio should be written at the top of a CV. It should convey an insight of the type of person you are, your work ethic, values, and what motivates you to a potential employer.
5. Making your CV too long
It should be no more than one page in length. If that’s not possible, make the top page stand out so your future boss will want to read the rest.
Nobody wants to read a book when it comes to CVs, especially when there are so many to sift through.
6. Putting the wrong contact information
Making a mistake with your contact information is a common error that might hurt your job search.
An employer may have an applicant that appears to be a good fit on paper but is unable to contact them to discuss the position.
This is due to the fact that most people focus on the main information rather than the minor details.
7. Not tailoring your CV to the specific role
Instead to submitting out a generic CV to a wide number of employers, the employer prefers to see applicants customize the CV to the job description.
Customizing your CV demonstrates that you’ve done your homework on the firm and the position, and it’s a much better way to sell yourself.
It’s critical to read job descriptions properly and pay attention to important terms and phrases.
Drawing the employer’s attention to relevant skills you’ve acquired in previous jobs – even if those jobs aren’t directly related to the job you’re looking for – is a fantastic approach to show that you’re a good fit for the firm and the role.