20 Reasons why your CV will be rejected: Part 4

Last week we looked at another 5 reasons why your CV may be struggling to make an impact with recruiters.

From not including a covering letter to a lack of past employee’s information; there can be myriad reasons of CV issues as to why you are not clinching the interviews you want.

In part 4 of 4, we look at the final 5 CV issues that could be hindering your job search:

CV Issue: 16: Chancing your arm

I’ve stated previously that too many people comfort themselves by adopting a scatter gun approach to job applications.  Unfortunately probably the biggest bugbear of a recruiter is sifting through hundreds of unsuitable applications for a particular role.

As well as wasting a recruiter’s time, you could also give yourself a poor reputation by applying for several positions.  And like the boy who cried wolf, when you do come to apply for a position that actually fits your credentials you may well miss out.

CV Issue: 17: Meaningless Introductions

Pigeonholing in as many pointless clichés into an introduction as you can will infuriate a perspective employee and be a complete turn off.  So, your a hard-working, detail-orientated team player, with a strong work ethic who is looking for a new career challenge.  Unfortunately you may have well have written blah, blah, blah for all the impact that statement will have made.

We have even come across CVs where people kick off with a Winston Churchill or Shakespearian quote.  A guaranteed way to quickly get your CV binned.

A snappy introduction should mention which industries you have excelled in and what skills you would bring to your new role.  Don’t waste this chance to impress by just rolling out some meaningless soundbites.  And always take the time to make the introduction bespoke to the role that you are applying to.

CV Issue: 18: Weird Hobbies

Another classic jobseeker mistake is when candidates try to make themselves sound far more interesting than they think they are by listing some wacky hobbies.  If someone lists under hobbies that they have “an interest in guns” or “collecting stuffed owls” it will hardly give the impression of a balanced individual.

As with most sections on the CV, it’s important to create the right balance.  You obviously don’t want come across as dull by listing reading and calligraphy as the main activities in your life, but equally, stating that you enjoy a bit of Japanese Cosplaying in your spare time, won’t do you any favours either.

Be honest about you hobbies and interests.  Writing anything else will simply see you slip up under interrogation.

CV Issue: 19: Lack of contact details

I mentioned in the first part of this blog how some candidates have ridiculous email addresses.  However, what can be even more infuriating is when a candidate misspells their email address or puts the wrong digits down on their phone number.

Double check your details.  You’d be amazed at just how many CVs we get through from viable candidates who have inaccurate contact details and are probably flummoxed as to why they are not getting any interviews!

CV Issue: 20: Writing your CV in the third person

Although actively encouraged by some recruitment agencies, writing a CV in the 3^rd person is simply seen as extremely annoying by the majority of recruiters.

An example of writing in the third person on a CV would be, “Billy is a strong manager, admired by all his colleagues”.  This will just make you sound a bit odd.  A much better way of stating the same fact would be to put, “A strong manager, able to lead teams in achieving goals”.  I don’t think you need to specify who the strong manager is on your own CV!

Thanks for reading 20 reasons why your CV will be rejected, you may also want to read 10 phrases that could ruin your CV, which you can find here.

For further help with CVs, interviews or if even if you are starting a new job, read our blogs or join us on LinkedIn to get further information.