Why Is Your CV Getting Rejected and How to Avoid It

It’s a frustrating situation—after sending out countless applications, you keep asking yourself, “Why is my resume getting rejected?” You’ve polished your CV, spent hours perfecting your cover letter, and you’re qualified for the roles you’re applying to. Yet, you still find your job applications rejected. The truth is, there are several common CV mistakes that could be hindering your chances of getting shortlisted. Understanding what to put on a resume, and just as importantly, what not to include, can significantly improve your chances of landing that next interview.

In this blog, we will explore some of the main reasons why your CV might be getting rejected and what steps you can take to ensure it stands out from the crowd.

The Most Common Reasons Your CV Is Rejected

1. Irrelevant or Vague Information

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is including irrelevant information on their CV. Recruiters typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning a resume, so every detail must count. If you’re applying for a marketing position but are highlighting your summer job as a waiter from five years ago, it’s likely you’ll get overlooked. Similarly, vague descriptions like “Responsible for various tasks” won’t help recruiters understand your skills or experience. Focus on relevant achievements and responsibilities that are directly related to the job.

How to Fix It:

Tailor your resume to each specific role. Read the job description thoroughly and align your skills and experiences with what the employer is seeking. Include quantifiable achievements and specifics to demonstrate your value clearly. For example, instead of writing “Managed a team,” try “Led a team of 10 employees to a 20% increase in productivity over six months.”

2. Poor Formatting and Design

While content is king, the design and formatting of your CV are also crucial. A cluttered, difficult-to-read resume is one of the quickest ways to land in the rejection pile. Overusing different fonts, using too many bullet points, or cramming too much information onto one page makes it harder for hiring managers to identify key information.

How to Fix It:

Stick to a clean, professional design with plenty of white space. Use one or two fonts, and keep bullet points concise and organised. Break up your sections logically (e.g., “Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”) and ensure the most critical details are easily accessible. A CV that’s pleasing to the eye can make a better first impression.

3. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

A CV riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes suggests a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. It can signal to potential employers that you might not put much effort into your work if you cannot ensure your resume is error-free. Many employers will reject resumes on this basis alone, especially if the role involves communication or writing skills.

How to Fix It:

Proofreading your CV is non-negotiable. Use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check, but don’t rely solely on these; they might not catch everything. Have a friend or a professional proofreader go through your CV to ensure it’s polished and error-free.

4. Not Including Keywords from the Job Posting

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out CVs before they even reach human eyes. If your CV isn’t optimised for ATS, it might never get seen by a recruiter. These systems scan your resume for keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain these terms, it may not be considered relevant, even if you’re highly qualified.

How to Fix It:

Carefully review the job description and identify key terms related to the role, such as specific skills, qualifications, or industry jargon. Make sure to incorporate these keywords naturally into your CV. This not only helps with ATS but also highlights your suitability for the role.

5. Too Long or Too Short

Finding the right balance for your CV’s length is essential. If your resume is too short, it may suggest that you lack experience or haven’t fully developed your qualifications. On the other hand, if your CV is too long, it may overwhelm the recruiter with unnecessary details. Many recruiters expect a resume to be one to two pages in length, depending on your level of experience.

How to Fix It:

For most professionals, aim to keep your resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience, and two pages if you have more. Be selective about what to put on a resume. Focus on achievements, relevant experience, and essential skills. Remove outdated information and anything that doesn’t add value.

6. Unexplained Gaps in Employment

Gaps in employment are not uncommon, especially in today’s job market. However, failing to explain these gaps can leave recruiters wondering if you are trying to hide something. Whether you took time off for personal reasons, further education, or career changes, it’s crucial to address these gaps appropriately.

How to Fix It:

Don’t leave employment gaps unexplained. Be transparent and brief, mentioning any professional development or volunteer work you did during this period. If your gap was due to personal reasons, a simple line explaining that you took time off to care for a family member or for personal development is often sufficient.

7. Overly Generic CV

Sending the same CV to every job application without tailoring it to the specific position is a common reason for rejection. Recruiters can quickly spot a generic CV that hasn’t been customised for their role. It signals a lack of interest or effort on your part, which can negatively impact your chances.

How to Fix It:

Customise your resume for each application. Focus on the skills and experiences most relevant to the job and omit information that doesn’t add value. This personalisation shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role and that you’ve taken the time to understand what the employer is looking for.

8. Lack of Clear Career Progression

Recruiters look for signs that you’ve progressed in your career. If your CV doesn’t demonstrate growth or achievement, they may question whether you’re a motivated and ambitious candidate. Stagnation in job titles or responsibilities without explanation could cause your resume to be passed over.

How to Fix It:

Clearly show career progression by highlighting promotions, increases in responsibility, or skills development in each role. If you’ve stayed in the same position for a long time, make sure to emphasise new projects, accomplishments, or additional skills you’ve gained during that period.

9. Lack of Focus on Achievements

A CV that simply lists job duties without showing how you added value to the company is unlikely to make an impact. Employers want to know what you’ve accomplished, not just what you were responsible for. If your CV lacks concrete achievements, it might explain why your resume is not getting shortlisted.

How to Fix It:

Focus on achievements rather than just duties. Use metrics and concrete data to show how you made a difference in your previous roles. For example, “Increased sales by 25% in Q2” is more impactful than “Responsible for increasing sales.”

10. Inconsistent Information

Inconsistent dates, job titles, or other discrepancies between your CV and LinkedIn profile can raise red flags for employers. Even small inconsistencies can create doubts about your credibility and lead to your job application being rejected.

How to Fix It:

Ensure that your CV, LinkedIn profile, and any other professional documents are consistent in terms of dates, job titles, and other details. Double-check everything for accuracy to avoid any confusion.

Conclusion

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why is my resume getting rejected?” the answer may lie in some of the common mistakes outlined above. By ensuring your CV is well-tailored, free from errors, and highlights your most relevant achievements, you can significantly improve your chances of getting shortlisted for an interview.