Candidate newsletter | 4 CV red flags | 08/04/2020
To all of our lovely candidates, see below for newsletter number 2, a follow on from last week and how you can get that CV spot on! Remember we are still operating and so do call us if you would like a chat about your CV or general recruitment advice!
Dear all,
We hope you are all coping well out there and that you found our first newsletter on CV writing useful. If you would like any further guidance or support on this, please don’t hesitate to call us!
Here are some further points to note when putting together a CV. We know how important it is to get that CV spot on!
4 Common CV Red Flags and How to Fix Them
Have you checked your CV for red flags lately? These are potential “question marks” on your CV that, at best, will cause employers and recruiters to grow suspicious of you as a candidate – and research suggests that such suspicion is very hard to shake off. At worst, these red flags may even cause employers and recruiters to immediately dismiss you as a candidate without even taking a second look.
If your job search hasn’t been going too well, it may be because your CV contains some of these red flags. This is why it’s vital that you look over your CV thoroughly to identify and address any possible red flags. Doing so could turn your arduous job search into a much more successful task – or at least make things easier on you.
Here are four classic red flags to look for on your CV, along with some tips on how to address them:
1. Being Unemployed
There can be bias against unemployed applicants, according to research. Unfortunately, this bias can grow worse the longer one is unemployed.
Employers or recruiters don’t really have any just cause for this bias, but the fact remains that being unemployed is seen as a red flag for many companies.
What can you do about it?
Don’t feed the interviewer’s bias by painting your unemployment in a negative light. Just focus on the positives. Where possible, show that you have successfully achieved interview stage and received good feedback. This will put many employers and recruiters at ease, as it will show them that other organisations think well enough of you to give you a shot. Third-party validation will enhance your credibility in the eyes of most interviewer.
Second, be sure to outline any new skills you have learned while unemployed – especially skills that are immediately relevant to the job at hand. Doing so will show employers and recruiters that, contrary to their biases, being unemployed has actually helped you improve.
2. Unexplained Gaps in Resumes
Unexplained gaps in a CV can make employers and recruiters feel like you’re hiding something. Combat this by actually explaining the gaps. Don’t just present the gaps on your CV – outline exactly what you were doing while you were out of work.
Were you studying, volunteering, taking a sabbatical, actively looking for work, looking after a sick loved one, or raising children? These pursuits can all add greater value to a CV than an unexplained gap. For example, if you were raising children, you probably picked up a variety of transferable management and coordination skills. Emphasise these skills on your CV.
3. Multiple Short Term Employment Positions (A.K.A., a History of ‘Job Hopping’)
Employers and recruiters are slowly beginning to understand that job hopping is rather common of recent years. These days, the lifelong job has been largely replaced by shorter periods of employment, and employers may have to accept this fact.
Employers and recruiters will be suspicious of short periods of work, so ensure that you show you have justifiable reasons for them. Aim to prove that you have always honoured and completed all contracts and projects before leaving a company.
It’s also worth showing employers and recruiters that you have a history of performing well in each job, no matter how short your time there was. You can do this by listing your achievements in each role on your CV. LinkedIn is a great tool too, and it will help to try and get as many professional recommendations as possible, as this will demonstrate that you left your previous roles on good terms.
Employers and recruiters should know that you deliver great value to every employer you work with, regardless of your length of time with each company.
4. A ‘Template’ CV
It’s fairly easy to spot a generic CV that has not been tailored to a specific job opening. If you’re simply firing off template CV’s to every opening you come across, employers will pick up on that fact – and many of them will instantly dismiss you because of it.
Where applicable, ensure you write a tailored cover letter and CV for each application. Emphasise your skills and qualities that are most relevant to that specific position and company.
There are plenty of reasons that a CV might be rejected – and, often, CV’s are rejected for very good reasons. Sometimes, unfortunately, you just aren’t the right person for the job.
That being said, it’s never a bad idea to tighten up your CV by addressing these red flags. Doing so will greatly improve your chances of landing an interview – and maybe even the role itself.
Look out for the newsletter next week as this will offer some great interview tips!