The CV mistake that can get you rejected in seconds

A CV can be dismissed in mere seconds, even if the candidate possesses valuable experience. Farah Sharghi, a recruitment specialist who has worked with major companies like Google, TikTok, and The New York Times, identifies a critical error: candidates often write their CVs assuming the recruiter already understands the context of their work.

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The biggest mistake I see is that people write for the only person who already knows their story: themselves.

Sharghi explains that recruiters typically spend only about six seconds reviewing a CV. This brevity means that a lack of context can cause them to quickly overlook a candidate's achievements. "The biggest mistake I see is that people write for the only person who already knows their story: themselves," she stated, as cited by CNBC.

She recommends a simple exercise: cover the name at the top of the CV and read it as if it belongs to a stranger. A common pitfall is using overly general descriptions without sufficient background. For instance, stating "I performed financial analyses on operational expenses and budget trends to support strategic planning and decision-making" is unclear to a recruiter who lacks information about the specific company, department, or project.

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How would you explain what you did to a friend or your grandmother? Provide the necessary context for someone who doesn't know you to understand immediately what it's about.

Sharghi advises including a brief description of the organization and the candidate's role before listing responsibilities. She also stresses the importance of avoiding internal jargon, project names, or acronyms specific to a former employer. Instead, candidates should use simple, easily understandable explanations. Furthermore, vague adjectives like "communicative" or "hardworking" are unconvincing without concrete examples. Demonstrating skills through specific experiences, such as "Provided support to English and Spanish-speaking clients for four years," is far more impactful than simply listing qualities.

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For every skill on the CV, ask yourself if you can demonstrate it with a concrete example. If you can't, then it's just an adjective and should be removed.