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Why are CVs rejected?
| First impressions really do matter; if your CV does not attract a prospective employer's attention in the first 20 seconds then your chances of being offered an interview are reduced. An employer most probably has a large number of CVs to look through and probably only a couple of hours in which to make their short list. It is vital to put your most recent work experience at the beginning of your CV, not educational details, unless you have only just left education. |
What an employer really wants to know is why they should invite a candidate for an interview. Below are a few reasons why an employer might skip your CV in favour for another.
The Length of your CV
Always try to keep your CV to two A4 pages, unless someone specifically asks you for a longer/shorter CV. Prospective employers do not want to know your whole life history - just a snap shot of your key skills and experiences. Remeber, your CV is a tool to sell yourself and make the interviewer want to find out more.
Mis-spellings, typographical errors, poor grammar
This is incredibly important to get right. Your CV should be carefully spell checked for such errors before you send it out to employers. Tiny errors in your CV can detract from an otherwise good CV and make you look lazy or careless - not the sort of qualities you want to portray to an employer. Try and get someone to proof your CV, failing that ALWAYS spell check the document.
Poor layout
As a prospective employer may only give a few seconds to each CV they look at, the layout of your CV is very important. Bullet Points, appropriate headings and spacing should all be used. There should be enough 'white space' on the page and a CV should not appear cramped.
Chronological Order
If your CV is not well organised then the reader will find it hard to follow and will not be able to build up a picture of you quickly. Remember the reader will not spend very long looking at your CV - so if they cannot find what they want they will not bother to read any further. Always start with your most recent employment first as interviewers want to see what you have done most recently.
Too little information
A lot of people do not include enough details about their previous jobs and skills and an employer therefore does not have enough information - they will therefore have to reject your application.
Not results orientated
You need to 'sell yourself' and list all your achievements. Please remember that your CV is your sales tool. If it does not tell an employer why they should employ you then it has failed. An employer will only want to employ you if they can see a benefit in it for themselves.
Advice on the Different CV Formats a job seeker can use including a One Page Summary CV, Targeted CV, Chronological CV, Functional CV and Combined CV.
If you have Weaknesses in your CV such as being fired from a previous role or long gaps of unemployment read some tips on how to overcome CV Weaknesses.
Click here to read CV tips and advice