Your CV is more than just a list of your past jobs and qualifications. It’s your personal marketing tool designed to open doors and grab the attention of recruiters and employers. However, despite sending out dozens of applications, are you left wondering why companies aren’t calling you back?
Here’s how to assess whether your CV is doing its job of attracting companies—and what you can do to improve it. Click on the link for a free CV review.
First Impressions Matter: Is Your CV Visually Appealing?
Recruiters and hiring managers spend an average of 6 to 7 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to keep reading or move on. First impressions are critical, so your CV must be clean, well-structured, and easy to read.
If your CV looks cluttered, uses inconsistent fonts, or is overloaded with unnecessary graphics, it might be getting passed over despite strong content.
How to improve:
- Use a simple, professional layout.
- Ensure there’s enough white space to make the document easy on the eyes.
- Limit the use of colors and graphics unless you’re in a creative field.
A visually appealing, organized CV is more likely to keep a recruiter engaged long enough to focus on your skills and accomplishments. You can also improve resume design with AI tools, ensuring your CV is visually appealing and aligned with industry standards.
Are You Tailoring Your CV to Specific Job Descriptions?
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is sending out a one-size-fits-all CV. Recruiters want to see that you’ve put effort into tailoring your CV for the position.
If your CV reads like a generic document, it may not highlight the specific skills and experience the employer is looking for.
How to improve:
- Carefully read the job description and make sure your CV mirrors the language and qualifications they’re seeking.
- Customize your skills, accomplishments, and job history to showcase how you meet the employer’s needs.
- Use industry-specific keywords to help your CV get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which screen CVs before they reach human eyes.
Are You Highlighting Key Achievements?
Many job seekers make the mistake of listing responsibilities without emphasising results. Employers want to know how you added value in your previous roles, not just what your job titles were.
How to improve:
- Focus on measurable achievements: Did you increase sales, reduce costs, or improve efficiency? Use numbers to quantify your impact.
- Use strong action verbs such as “led,” “implemented,” or “designed” to describe your accomplishments.
- Place your most impressive achievements at the top of each job description, where they’re most likely to be noticed.
Does Your Personal Statement Capture Attention?
The personal statement or career summary at the top of your CV is your chance to make an immediate connection with the recruiter. If this section is vague or lacks focus, you might be missing the opportunity to hook them.
How to improve:
- Write a concise, impactful personal statement that reflects who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you can bring to the company.
- Be specific about your strengths and the kind of roles you’re looking for.
- Avoid generic statements like “hardworking professional” and instead provide details that make you stand out.
Are You Using the Right Keywords?
If companies are using ATS software to screen CVs, missing out on key terms and industry jargon could mean your CV never makes it to a human recruiter.
ATS systems scan CVs for relevant keywords that match the job description, so if you’re not optimizing your CV with the right terms, it might be getting filtered out automatically.
How to improve:
- Study the job listing carefully and identify essential keywords related to the skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer is seeking.
- Naturally incorporate these keywords throughout your CV, particularly in the skills and experience sections.
- Avoid keyword stuffing—use them where they make sense.
Are You Keeping Your CV Concise?
No matter how experienced you are, hiring managers don’t want to sift through lengthy CVs. Keep it concise and to the point, ideally no longer than two pages.
How to improve:
- Focus on the last 10 to 15 years of your experience, unless earlier roles are highly relevant to the position.
- Cut out irrelevant information like outdated skills or jobs that don’t contribute to your current career goals.
- Be succinct in your descriptions, prioritising quality over quantity.
Are You Showcasing Soft Skills Effectively?
While technical skills are essential, employers also look for soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. If your CV focuses only on hard skills, you might not be giving a full picture of what you can offer.
How to improve:
- Weave soft skills into your achievements, such as describing how you led a team or managed a complex project under pressure.
- Highlight interpersonal skills that are relevant to the role, such as collaboration, adaptability, or conflict resolution.
- Avoid simply listing soft skills—demonstrate them through examples in your work history.
Conclusion: Why An External Review Matters
Your CV is your first chance to make a strong impression on potential employers. If you’re not getting the responses you hoped for, it may be time to reassess whether your CV is attracting companies.
Having your CV reviewed by others allows you to see it through fresh eyes, catching anything from small typos to major content gaps that could be costing you job opportunities.
A reviewer may point out if your CV is too focused on responsibilities rather than achievements, if you’re underselling key skills, or if your personal statement lacks impact. Their feedback can be a game-changer, helping to turn an average CV into a standout one that attracts companies.
Get yourself a free CV review and make sure you’re ahead of the game.
By focusing on a clean layout, tailored content, measurable achievements, and the right keywords, you can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed. Take the time to review and refine your CV, and you might find that the interviews start rolling in.
