Having just had a lovely, relaxing Bank Holiday weekend, my team and I returned excitedly to an inbox full of fresh new job applications this morning. Some excellent candidates who we hope to speak to and put forward, but also some, which will go straight into the reject pile – mainly because of the CV!
The CV is your first impression, and sometimes, it can be a memorable one for all the wrong reasons. We see hundreds of applications each week, and these examples, from this weekend alone, are a great reminder of what not to do if you want to land an interview.
Attention to Detail? Think Again.
A "document formatter" with a terribly laid out CV. The irony is palpable. If your job is to format documents, your CV should be a perfect example of your skill.
A candidate who focuses on their "attention to detail" but offers a CV with a significant number of spelling errors and different font styles. This is a classic contradiction that immediately undermines credibility.
An office administrator with uncapitalised details on their CV (including company details and even their own name). Simple errors like this suggest a lack of care and professionalism, which is a red flag for a role that requires organisation and presentation skills.
The Photo Fiasco
A CV with a personal photo of the candidate - chilling on a beach in a swimming costume. Unless you're applying for a lifeguard position, your CV is a professional document. A holiday photo is entirely inappropriate.
Exaggeration and Inconsistency
An 18-page CV from a 23-year-old candidate. Keep it concise. This suggests an inability to prioritise and summarise and is unlikely to be read by the Hiring Manager. A one or two-page CV is recommended!.
A candidate who ticked yes to "Do you have experience in the UK property sector" and who has only worked in Nigeria. While international experience can be valuable, directly misrepresenting it is a major mistake.
In response to "Do you have Property Management experience," a candidate replied, "I have stayed in Air B&Bs" This is a literal interpretation of the question that shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what professional experience means.
A candidate with 18 jobs in 5 years (as well as having "career" gaps in the CV). This pattern suggests a lack of stability and commitment.
Unprofessional Answers
An application for Lettings Manager in which the candidate, in response to "Do you have lettings industry experience," replied, "I live in rented accommodation." Much like the AirB&B example, this shows a naive view of what constitutes relevant experience and will certainly not qualify the candidate for a role where mentoring within a specific business is required
A candidate seeking a full-time, home-based role because "I have three children under 7" and it would be too difficult to work in an office and look after them as well. While this might be true, it’s not an appropriate reason to share on a CV or in a cover letter. Your application should focus on your qualifications and what you can offer the company.
The "No-CV" Approach
A candidate who applies with no CV attached where a CV is specifically requested! Following instructions is the most basic requirement of any job, and failing to do so shows a lack of respect for the process.
Career Gaps and Work History
A young candidate with 6 months' work experience then a 2-year career break. While gap years are common, especially for younger candidates, do you really need a "career break" after just 6 months of work – for two years (and remain at home for the duration)?
Mismatched Social Media Information
An application from a candidate who added a link to their LinkedIn profile: All good – Except the career history did not match their CV and some employers were missing!
You only have one chance to make a great first impression, so make your CV count!
If you are looking for a new role in the property sector talk to the Property Recruitment team at Worth Recruiting and if you need some help or advice with your CV, just ask!
Call 01372 238300 or send your CV to toptalent@worthrecruiting.me
Do any of these examples sound familiar, or have you seen others that are just as surprising? We'd love to hear your CV horror stories!
