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Have you ever wondered why you're not getting interview calls even though you're a perfect fit for the job? After 15 years as a hiring manager, reviewing over 1,000 resumes daily, I filtered out only about 30 people who made it to the interview stage.
Those 30 resumes that got interview calls weren't perfect, but they stood out more than others rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) within seconds. These tools often made these decisions in just 10 seconds.
Do you want your dream job to rely on those 10 seconds? No one wants to. Unfortunately, many resumes are sorted out quickly with automated resume tools, which waste recruiters' time and reduce your chances of being noticed.
In the past, recruiters, including me, read resumes more thoroughly. Today, companies use software tools like ATS to filter through thousands of resumes and reject them faster and more quickly.
Unfortunately, we had to reject many resumes daily, but this is the most efficient way to identify potential candidates. Many people make common mistakes that reduce their chances of being hired.
In 2014, a study named Career Development by College in Illinois stated,
The CV is a comprehensive statement of your educational background, teaching, and research experience. It is the standard representation of credentials within academia.
Therefore, this statement explains why a CV must be perfect: It reviews your educational background and personality, so you should pay special attention to it.
In this post, you will learn:
- What are the common mistakes and reasons for rejecting 80-90% of resumes?
- How do you get a 90+ ATS score for your CV?
Common Mistakes And Tips To Improve Your CV To Get Your Dream Job
1: Not Reading The Job Advert Thoroughly
Mistake:
Many candidates fail to read job descriptions thoroughly, leading them to submit resumes for positions that aren't a match.
Correction:
Always read the job advertisement carefully before applying. Ensure that your qualifications align with the job requirements and address the key points specified by the employer.
Example:
I recently posted an ad for a Technical SEO Manager with specific skills and proficiency in:
- SEO tools
- Keyword research
- Better search engine rankings, etc.
We used terms like experience in "Technical SEO" and "Crawling Issues Resolver."
We set salary budgets of over £25,000 per year—this is a full-time, in-office commitment, not an agency or remote worker.
We also specified that it was a technical SEO manager, not an off-page SEO, on-page SEO, or content writer position.
We received the majority of auto-submitted resumes from different services that picked up the keywords and introduced us to unsuitable resumes. They never read the job description, even though it was clear what we were looking for.
Instead, select job advertisements for a specific position and run them through a keyword search. This will provide you with the key terms employers are looking for. Using software like ATS is hard work that might irritate candidates, but it is helpful for recruiters.
2: Typos And Other Terrible Spelling And Formatting Mistakes
Mistake:
Spelling mistakes can make your CV appear unprofessional, leading recruiters to dismiss it. Before submitting your CV, check it thrice for typos and formatting errors.
Correction:
Correct some common mistakes related to poor formatting, spelling, grammar, and typos with these tips:
- If applying in the UK, use a UK English spell check. After spell-checking, fix any formatting issues.
- Save the CV as a Word doc or PDF, and open it as an email attachment to ensure a constant display on different devices.
- Choose a standard font like Times New Roman or Arial. Don't use graphics or images; they don't matter to ATS.
- If you need a hard copy, print it on high-quality paper. Employers will ignore torn or dirty pages.
3: Listing Basic Duties Instead Of Describing Achievements
Mistake:
The third most common mistake is listing past job duties rather than highlighting achievements and showing value to potential employers.
.
Correction:
Describe your achievements rather than writing about basic tasks. Achievements show how you add importance to an organization, your ability to make a difference, and your capacity to achieve results.
Example:
Instead of: "Optimized website pages for search engines."
Write: "Improved website visibility and search rankings by implementing targeted SEO strategies, resulting in a 30% increase in organic traffic."
Rather than: "Managed a team,"
Say: "Managed a team of 10 to increase sales by 15% within six months."
Describing Achievements highlights your leadership skills and showcases the impact of your role. Use quantifiable data to show your achievements.
4: Adding Clichés To Your CV
Mistake:
Avoid vague phrases like "hard worker," "quick learner," or "detail-oriented" without specific examples to back them up. These clichés offer little value and may cause readers to lose interest.
Correction:
Highlight real skills and achievements that show your abilities.
Example:
Show how you led a project to completion beforehand or improved team efficiency by 20%.
Providing clear examples adds credibility and helps distinguish you from other candidates.
5: Too Much Lengthy CV
Mistake:
Your CV should be a maximum of two pages. The reader has no time to read a 4-5 page CV. They'll discard your CV if they can't notice you in the first two pages.
Correction:
Keep your CV concise, ideally two pages. Highlight your skills, including keywords from the job advert.
Mention relevant software you've worked with and soft skills like problem-solving and communication.
Even better if it is less than two pages; the shorter, the better.
6: Not Tailoring Your CV
Mistake:
Not tailoring your CV to different job adverts can make you lose a chance of getting hired. Employers don't have time to interpret your skills, so you must explicitly show how they relate to the job.
Correction:
When applying for different jobs, tailor your CV to each job advert.
Example:
If you're both an SEO Manager and a Salesman, focus on shared skills like:
- Driving awareness and sales
- Conducting research and analysis
- Setting goals
Highlight Common Skills:
List these skills at the top of your CV using figures and percentages to show success.
Customize For Specific Roles:
Tailor the rest of your CV for each position by adding relevant skills and experiences.
Use Keywords:
Incorporate keywords from the job advert to align with the job requirements.
This approach lets you efficiently create separate CVs for different roles, saving time from rewriting each job application.
7: Not Replacing The Keywords
Mistake:
Agencies often use software to filter CVs based on specific keywords from the job description. ATS rejects many CVs because they lack keywords from the job advert.
Correction:
Ensure your CV includes keywords from the job description.
Example:
If the job advert mentions "project management," use that phrase instead of "task coordination."
If it asks for "problem-solving skills," avoid terms like "good thinker."
Using precise keywords can make your CV stand out in the screening process.
How To Get A 90+ ATS Score For Your CV?
To get a 90+ ATS score for your CV, learn from common mistakes and solutions to get the 90+ ATS score mentioned above. Most agencies hire people with 90+ ATS scores, which means they have:
- Used keywords from the job description
- Saved the CV as a PDF or Word file
- Avoided images, charts, graphics, headers, and footers
- Used standard fonts, headings, correct date formats, and active voice
- Focused on quantifiable achievements, not just duties
- Proofread the CV to avoid grammar and spelling mistakes
- Chosen an ATS-friendly resume template
Aim for a 90%+ ATS score for a higher chance of getting hired; however, some get accepted with a 65+ score. The chances are higher if the score is more than 90%, and you might get interview calls once you reach your goal.
See how your CV stacks up.
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