Photo credit: wirestock
By now, you’ve read a bazillion blogs on CV writing telling you to put this or not to put that. Ugh! What’s more, like a sponge immersed in water, you absorb it all. You take in everything and follow every step hoping that your CV will stand out like a sore thumb.
But here comes the interesting part. You’ll be surprised to learn that it not only happens to fresh job seekers but also seasoned professionals. After all, everybody wants their CV to shine once it lands in the hands of the recruiter, right?
If that’s the case, why not get first-hand information from recruiters themselves? It would solve a lot of CV puzzles, won’t it? Well, chances are, they won’t get back to you and point out the nitty-gritty of why your CV didn’t make the cut. But, don’t despair. As always, Fuzu has got your back.
In an interview with the elegant Monica Mucunguzi, Senior Recruiter of Wave Mobile Money, she tells it all. Having received thousands of CV applications in her line of work, she has seen it all. Stick around and find out the five things she recommends removing from your CV that hurt your chances of getting a job.
Monica Mucunguzi, Senior Recruiter, Wave Mobile Money
Ready to get started?
Here’s what she had to say:
Your CV is your personal branding tool. It is your entry point and first impression with any organization. It should be effective in helping you grab the Recruiter’s attention within seconds and stand out from other applicants. To be sure your CV isn’t holding you back in any way, eliminate these things from your CV;
1. The long tasks and jobs
Your CV is not an autobiography of every small task or job you’ve held since graduation. It is an opportunity to market yourself. Keep only the relevant parts. If what matters is written on the 4th page, it will most likely be missed. Your CV does not need to be longer than two pages.
Instead, write a few lines, say 3 to 5 on some of the duties you held. Read the job description and make sure they align with what the recruiter is looking for. Add a few lines on your accomplishments to complement the lines and quantify if you can.
Here is an example, “I increased sales revenues by 30% in my first four months...” We live in a world driven by metrics and data. It is no longer enough to state that you increase sales or productivity. You need to back it up with quantifiable data. If your first job out of campus is not relevant to the job at hand, leave it out.
2. Traditional boring resume phrases
Most of us have been taught to write our CVs using zombie catchphrases like “motivated self-starter, results-oriented professional.” It is easy to sound like anybody else and fail to stand out of the pile.
You might think that there is a magic formula to this, but there isn’t. First, you should use keywords. Look at the job description and similar job descriptions in the market and analyze the work tasks. They may be looking for market research skills, program management experience, or specific software, like Greenhouse or Salesforce. Create a list of all of these and refine your keywords around these in your summary.
For instance, “I am a Sales Manager with over seven years of experience in program management and market research. I have effectively developed and enacted company policies to increase organizational operations efficiency. I have a thorough understanding of market trends and have proven ability to expand operations, drive revenue growth and acquire new customers.”
3. Bad formatting and disorganization
You probably have heard the saying, “You never get a second chance at making a first impression” The goal of clean formatting is to make your CV look professional and easy to read. Your formatting decisions should make the information very clear and easy to find.
Keep in mind that many recruiters will not be looking at your experience line for line. They’ll probably scan through as fast as they can to see what stands out. Things that are unacceptable include using italics, using colors, difficult fonts, and leaving out margins.
Here is what you should do:
-
Left-align all the text on your resume since it’s the easiest format for interviewers to read.
-
Use sans serif fonts since they have clean lines and are easier to read.
-
Keep your font size between 10 and 12.
-
Avoid tables and all complicated design elements.
4. Grammatical errors in your CV
Simple mistakes can be very damaging because they convey that you lack attention to detail to your potential employer. Paying attention to your commas and periods could mean the difference between getting a callback or receiving that “...unfortunately...” email. A perfectly written resume could be your competitive edge.
Ensure you always proofread your resume before you send it. You can also have a friend look through your CV before marking it as a final copy.
5. An email address from your current employer
Nothing says “I job search on company time” more than using your current work email address on a resume. Unless you own the company, it is not advisable to run your job search through your company’s email system.
Use your personal email for all job search businesses. Not only is it a sign of respect, but it also helps you keep track of the jobs you have applied for long after you have left your current employer.
Conclusion
Sometimes all you need to get out of your job search jam is some expert advice such as this. Take time to assess your CV and sift out the things mentioned above. It will go a long way in ensuring that your CV will shine like silver in the sunshine.