Job hunting: 5 common CV mistakes to avoid!
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Job hunting: 5 common CV mistakes to avoid!
We’re all familiar with the classic stages of a job search: sending a CV and covering letter, then taking tests and interviews. Listed in this way, the process seems straightforward enough to give everyone a chance of landing a job quickly. However, there are a number of things you need to pay attention to when writing your CV, as it’s the first impression you make on the recruiter. That’s why, in this article, SKIILLZ shares with you 5 blunders that every candidate should no longer commit in his or her CV. Happy reading!
1 - Write an all-purpose CV
One of the most common mistakes made when writing a CV is to create a generic document. In other words, a CV that can be used for any job offer, without taking into account the specifics of each position. While this may be practical, it compromises your chances of being hired. A personalized CV tailored to the skills and qualifications required by the company, on the other hand, will have far more impact.
So be original and use keywords relevant to the job sector you’re looking for, to make your application stand out from the rest!
2 - Don't title your CV
Adding a title to a CV is not optional, it’s mandatory. Not only does it immediately give the impression that it’s well structured, it also makes it easier to read your career path. To do this, opt for a title that reflects the position you’re looking for, highlight your area of expertise or personalize it according to the position you’re applying for. For example: Digital Marketing Specialist, Creative Graphic Designer, Landscape Architect, etc. The title should be positioned at the top of the CV, just below the name, directly catching the recruiter’s attention.
3 - List only acquired skills in your CV
The recruiter wants to know who you are AND how you perform. An effective CV is more than just a description of training and skills; it must include quantifiable achievements! So associate each skill with real-life work situations, explaining how that experience helped you achieve your objectives. For example: “As Digital Marketing Project Manager, I coordinated a team of three people, and our expertise helped to increase brand awareness by 30% in six months, all within budget.”
By avoiding simply listing skills such as project management, digital marketing and team management, etc., you create a more powerful CV that demonstrates your added value.
4 - Unreadable page layout
The visual presentation of a CV is just as important as its content. If the layout is too complex, the recruiter can quickly lose interest in the profile. That’s why you need to pay attention to several criteria, starting with the font. Choose one that’s easy to read. Then prioritize the information by highlighting the most important, using different font sizes, bold or italics. Next comes paragraph structure. It should be well-spaced and consistent throughout the layout: use bullets or numbers for lists. As for color, avoid using more than two, and make sure they don’t interfere with the legibility of the text.
5 - Putting unnecessary information
When writing a CV, it can be tempting to want to include details, such as a hobbies section or a very classic area of interest. However, not all information is relevant to every job. So be selective in the items you include in your CV, giving priority to those that are relevant to the job in question. This will keep your CV focused on the elements that are relevant to the professional field in question.
For example, if you’re applying for a job as a web developer and you mention “photography, cooking, travel” as your interests, these don’t bring any specific value for this type of position.
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