Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Why Your CV is Not Landing You Interviews

Jobhop Jobhop's blog

Have you been applying for jobs but not getting any responses?

You fill out those online applications and hit send. A week goes by, but no one calls you for an interview.

Why? You ask yourself. I’m a great fit for the job.

You, my friend, need to investigate. Keep on reading to find out the top reasons for not getting interviews.

The Odds Are Not In Your Favour

Do you know how many people apply for a job posting?

On average, 250 job seekers send their CVs. Of those 250, a hiring manager will select a handful of candidates for an interview. Often, only one will land the job.

Let’s do some simple math.

5 out of 250 equates to 2%. Your chances of getting an interview are but a measly, single-digit number.

It’s a numbers game. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with how qualified you are.

Your CV Has Glaring Mistakes

A human might eventually look at your CV, but only if it makes it through the ATS (more on that in a little bit).

How long will it take them to skim through?

On average, 6 seconds.

If a recruiter sees any typos, formatting errors, or inconsistencies, do you think they’ll call you for an interview?

Put yourself in their shoes. A hiring manager will probably be looking at hundreds of CVs, only to select 4 to 6 candidates. Would you consider hiring someone whose CV has several typos?

Probably not.

Proofread, proofread, and proofread again.

Your CV Lacks The Right Keywords

Most recruiters and job portals use software to find the best candidates for a job posting.

The ATS, or applicant tracking system, ranks CVs based on predetermined criteria. Often, the deciding factor is keywords.

What are keywords?

They’re words describing particular skills or qualifications relevant to the job. You can almost always find them on job descriptions.

For example, “Develop and execute a business plan that results in exceeding assigned sales quota”.

You can see that “Business plan” and “Sales quota” are the keywords.

Be sure to include relevant keywords in your CV, ideally, in the context of an achievement.

Your Social Media Presence is Working Against You

In a recent research, 36% of UK employers admitted to turning down a candidate based on their social media profile.

While LinkedIn is the professional social network, recruiters are increasingly looking at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to vet potential employees.

Even if your CV makes a great match for the job, your online persona could cost you the job.

Pay close attention to what you share on the internet.

A less than savoury tweet or picture can decide whether or not you make it to an interview.

Disregarding Specific Instructions

It might have nothing to do with your CV.

Often, a job advert has guidelines you need to follow. Here are a few examples:

Attach a cover letter
Use a particular file format
Attach a sample of your work
Answer a few questions
Include a link to your online portfolio
Always follow application directions, many recruiters use them to screen job applicants.
If asked for a cover letter, send a targeted one tailored for the position you’re applying for.
If the employer requests a link to your portfolio, make sure you include it.
Boost your chances of landing an interview by refining your job search tools and taking your time in the application phase. Details matter.

JOIN Jobhop and spread the word.

Talal Alabbadi Jobhop.co.uk

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