Alright, let’s face it, landing your dream job in Nigeria is tough- not exactly a walk in the park.
You’re up against fierce competition, and if your CV isn’t up to par, you’re going to struggle. As a
fresh graduate, a Corp Member, or a newbie in the workforce, you just might have made some
blunders that put recruiters off as you applied for roles this year, reducing your chances of getting
the offer you deserve. Pay attention to these common CV mistakes and discover how you can fix
them.
1. The ‘One Size Fits All’ CV Syndrome:
If you were going for that owambe that has been the talk of the town for weeks, you know how
you’d dress- your gele/fila would look all peng. Your outfit alone would require great expertise
from the best stylist you know because you wouldn’t want to hear ‘what I ordered VS what I got’.
Who knows, you might meet your destiny helper there? 🤷♀️🤷♂️
Now, imagine if you wore an outfit that was too big or too small (premium ‘what I ordered VS
what I got’). Your make-up or shoe game might even be on point, but your outfit could ruin things,
right? Your destiny helper might even be in one corner giving you ‘bombastic side eye’ for daring
to grace such an occasion with your kind of outfit.
The same goes for your CV. Tailoring your resume to match the specific job you’re applying for is
crucial. You might have years of experience but sending out a general CV that doesn’t emphasize
your skills and experience as they relate to the job posting will end your CV in the “REJECTED”
folder. You cannot afford to send the same one-size-fits-all CV to every job opening.
How can you fix this? Customize your CV for each job application. Weigh your current CV against
the requirements of the specific job role you’re targeting, then highlight the skills, experience, and achievements that are most relevant to the role.
2. Convoluted Semantics
I bet you read this and began wondering where I was going😄. Stop speaking big grammar! That’s all I’m trying to say. We get it; you want to sound professional. However, using big grammar and complex jargon can be off-putting and even backfire. Employers prefer straightforward, clear communication. If your CV looks like a thesaurus, it might not be doing you any favors and it’s time to simplify.
You do know that recruiters are no longer searching for CVs that are beyond 2 pages, right? There’s no need to tell them about your love for swimming and jazz music or the street you live in and your parents’ names. Hopefully you don’t include those! 🙏
3. Ignoring Your Accomplishments:
Your CV is not a job description or a list of duties. Rather, it’s your chance to brag about your accomplishments. If your CV lists duties rather than highlighting your achievements, you’re missing your opportunity to shine. Ensure that they reflect how you added value to your previous role. I mean, how else will they know that you are the Idan gan gan?
4. Overlooking the Magic of Keywords:
Years ago, when applicants could only submit physical copies of their CVs, recruiters were saddled with the responsibility of going through piles of CVs after another. Quite the task I must say. Currently, many employers use applicant tracking systems to filter CVs based on keywords. If your CV doesn’t contain the keywords these systems are searching for, it might just slip through the cracks. Now, here’s what to do- Take a good look at the job advert, observe the specific keywords they recruiters are on the lookout for, then go ahead and sprinkle those keywords into your CV generously. Neglecting this part might make your CV lost in the sea of possibly a thousand other CVs.
5. Not Proofreading Properly
Grammar and spelling mistakes scream unprofessional. It’s essential to review your CV multiple times for errors. Read your CV aloud, as it helps you to easily spot any errors you might have missed. Ask a friend to help you go through your CV or use tools like Resume Worded and Enhancv to help you catch any sneaky typos. Trust me, that extra time you put into doing this is totally worth it and can save you moments of regret in the future.
Don’t let these blunders cost you your dream job. Revamp your CV by making it simple and clear,
showcase your achievements, use keywords, and, most importantly, proofread! With these CV hacks, you’ll be one step closer to your dream career.
We’d be hosting a virtual workshop where you’d be learning all you need for effective CV Writing.
We’ve called it, “The CV Workshop: Sure-fire hacks to craft CVs That Get Noticed”. This workshop will help you gain mastery on how to create captivating CVs that stand you out of the crowd.
Guess what! Our speaker will be reviewing the CVs of some lucky community members at the
workshop. Will you be one of the lucky ones? To stand a chance of getting your CV selected for
review, send in your CV to hello@unifyedung and be among the first 50 people to register!
See you at the community call! 😉
