5 things to avoid to get your CV noticed

We, recruiters, spend very little time reading CVs before deciding to call candidates or not. But don't get disheartened, if your CV catches our attention, we will spend much time focusing on the important stuff and also call you in for an interview. There are various good practices to follow, and I have mentioned a few in my previous articles. But today, I have listed five things that make CVs less noticeable that I come across often, and how to avoid them to create a good first impression.

❌Two/three Columns

I understand that a lot of CV advice is to keep your CV to one page, however, if the only way for you to do it is to use two/three columns, then you need at least 2 pages. When you have multiple columns, it distracts the flow, and recruiters have to go back and forth, figuring it out and it takes away valuable review time that could instead be used to read about your achievements. Instead, you can cut down on mentioning information that isn't relevant to the role and use that valuable CV real estate to sell your experience better. By doing so, you'll have a relevant CV with a steady flow.

❌Not mentioning the location

Do you really think I can't figure out the location of your last company or which country you're currently based? I can find that out with a few seconds of research (I’m a pro-googler). I know it’s tough for you if you need work sponsorship or if the job requires local market experience (bit discriminatory if you ask me, but sometimes it can’t be helped for the need of the business), but not mentioning it on your CV will end up in a disappointing call both for you and for me. So, please don't leave it to a recruiter's assumptions (or dubious knowledge of work permits)! Be clear upfront, and it's far better than hearing the bad news later in the process.

❌Paragraphs

Nope! Unless they’re really short and to the point, I can never pay attention to a paragraph in a CV. It just doesn't grab my attention. Listing down your achievements (yes! I said achievements, not responsibilities) with bullet points is the best way to be concise and clear. Each point will then tell me a story or a relevant instance which is far effective and good to read. Remember that on an average day, a recruiter reads 75-100 CVs, so make it easy on our eyes! 

❌Faulty Timeline

Why would I first want to read about your job which you were in ages ago? Look at the best way to sell your experience; it’s probably your current/latest position that is the most relevant for the job you’re applying for. It's often confusing to see your oldest job at the top. And it makes things awkward when talking to you because I need to scroll up and down your CV while taking notes about your answers. Also, mention the month, and the year for all your jobs that are less than 2 calendar years; 2019 to 2020 can mean Jan 2019 to Dec 2020, or it could also mean Dec 2019 to Jan 2020. See the difference? It might be a small thing, but the questions you will get asked will be difficult to answer if they’re geared at someone who’s got 2 years' experience, and you only have 2 months. 

❌Filling it with your responsibilities

I have written an entire article on quantifying your achievement and why it's crucial. I want to repeat it once again, 'Responsibilities are universal, achievements are unique'. Show your uniqueness through your achievements, it is the best way to grab recruiters' and hiring managers' attention, and it is a great conversation starter. In some cases, if you have to mention responsibilities, have an achievements section along with it.

These are simple tips, and some of you might be well aware of them, but it often slips our mind, and that's the reason I come across them numerous times a day. I hope these tips were helpful and I wish not to see them in your CV if you're a candidate and reading this article.