Yes, you’re a great candidate for the job. In fact, you could say that the job you were applying for was tailor-made just for you. Why was your application rejected then? It’s probably because of your CV.
Your CV was probably rejected by the applicant tracking software even before it reached the recruiter’s desk. If it made it past the ATS, there were some signs that made the recruiter toss your application aside.
Let’s go through what exactly is going on and why.
1. Stating responsibilities, not achievements.
This is an error that I see a lot of people fall into. Rather than talk about the impact they made, they talk about the tasks they had to complete at the job. Transition from responsibilities to impact. That is what separates a generic CV from a winning one.
Eg: I was responsible for managing the social media accounts of the company ❌
I organically grew Company X’s Instagram account from 100 followers to over 5000 followers. ✔️
2. Cliché Buzzwords
Overusing certain keywords like "team player” and “communicator” doesn’t help your case. Recruiters have read thousands of CVs with these terms before. It’s generic and doesn't clearly show how good you are. Show that you’re a good communicator, not just tell us that you are.
3. ATS-unfriendly formats
Most companies preliminarily screen CVs using ATS software. ATS software filters out CVs based on relevant keywords. Formatting choices like tables, columns, and text boxes are unsuitable, as the software is unable to parse through them, causing your CV to be skipped over in the process. Headers and footers cause the same problem. If you’ve hidden your contact details or a key section inside a header, some systems simply won’t pick it up. ATS software analyses text as well. Infographics and other visual formats cannot be analysed and will be skipped over.
4. Contact Information
If your phone number has a typo, your email address is missing, or your LinkedIn profile redirects recruiters to an error page, your CV will just be tossed aside. Even if you’ve qualified for the job, there’s no recruiter who is willing to go down the rabbit hole to find your accurate contact details.
Also, keep your email address professional. No one has time for NarhnaAdwoa@gmail.com or sexygyal2929@gmail.com. Use this simple format instead: firstname.lastname@gmail.com✅
5. Headshots
Depending on the country and company you’re applying to, adding your headshot can disfavour you. Some companies will automatically reject such applications because it is a legal Pandora’s box.
Generally, for companies in the UK and US, headshots are never recommended. It’s always best to do your due diligence and find out the rules of the game at the company you’re applying to.
6. Typos and grammatical errors
It might seem pretty minor, but the extra space between words, using it’s instead of its, and the absent full stop is preventing you from getting your dream job. Not only do they make your CV look unpolished and difficult to read, but they also give a signal that you’ll be sloppy at your work, costing the company time and money.
7. Purely AI-generated CVs
Most recruiters are able to spot AI-generated CVs right away. It is a turn-off, even for companies that heavily encourage AI use. AI can only do so much in highlighting your uniqueness and your capabilities as a potential employee. Let AI assist you, not do your entire work for you. There's no problem with using AI in crafting your CV as long as it works as a tool and not the artist.
Most of these issues are fixable in an afternoon: cleaning up formatting, rewriting points to show results instead of duties, fixing your email address, and proofreading properly. However, if you want a more professional view of your CV, you can reach out to us, and we will help you turn an average CV into a winner. Don't let a bit of savings cost you a job that will be far worth more than the investment of having a professional comb through your CV. The candidates who get hired aren’t always the most qualified people who applied. Often, they’re simply the ones whose resume made it easy for a recruiter to say, “Yes, you’re hired.