{"id":1408,"date":"2019-03-26T08:30:54","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T08:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=1408"},"modified":"2025-10-22T15:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:17:12","slug":"rejection-is-your-cv-letting-you-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2019\/03\/26\/rejection-is-your-cv-letting-you-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Rejection: is your CV letting you down?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/01\/pexels-photo-14303.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1320 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/01\/pexels-photo-14303-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"Robot with a broken heart\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/01\/pexels-photo-14303-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/01\/pexels-photo-14303-323x215.jpeg 323w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/01\/pexels-photo-14303.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At this time of year we see plenty of students who haven't yet secured their ideal internship or\u00a0graduate role.\u00a0 We all know that competition is fierce, so\u00a0building your resilience is really important. Take a look at these great blogs\u00a0on <a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2019\/01\/24\/student-perspective-its-not-you-its-me-dealing-with-job-rejection\/\">dealing with rejection<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/careersblog.warwick.ac.uk\/2014\/03\/18\/resilience-is-the-key-to-career-succees\/\">and developing resilience<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But there may be things you can do to improve your chances\u00a0if you keep falling at the first hurdle.\u00a0 In this blog, we're going to consider common CV mistakes.\u00a0 Before we get to\u00a0the detail, consider these things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are you using the same CV for different roles?\u00a0Never use a generic CV.\u00a0 Always tailor to the role, organisation and industry.\u00a0 For example, investment banks tend to\u00a0appreciate shorter CVs that highlight leadership skills.<\/li>\n<li>To help you with your research on this (as well as talking to us - see below), think about your own contacts.\u00a0 Who can you speak to for information and advice on applications and what the role involves?\u00a0Consider using our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bath.ac.uk\/campaigns\/bath-connection\/\">alumni network<\/a>\u00a0as one source of information.<\/li>\n<li>And lastly, but importantly,\u00a0do you really understand the role you're applying for? Do you think you'd enjoy and be good at it? Those who do, <em>tend<\/em> to demonstrate\u00a0more enthusiasm and understanding in their application materials.\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bath.ac.uk\/guides\/careers-service-appointments\/\">Book a careers appointment<\/a> with a\u00a0careers adviser if you're unsure about your career strategy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now that we've got that out of the way, let's have a look at some common errors made in CVs.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1415 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/timer-323x215.jpg 323w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Error #1 Not making your relevant experience and skills stand out<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Opinions vary as to how long recruiters\u00a0scan your CV for before deciding whether to read on or move to the next CV. 8 seconds or a positively luxurious 30 seconds?<\/p>\n<p>The point is that you don\u2019t have long to grab their attention, so the most relevant experience needs to prioritized and prominent. Some top suggestions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Replace your work experience section (that currently lists every role you\u2019ve ever had!) with a \u201crelevant experience\u201d section.\u00a0 Think about which positions have required you to do similar tasks, or that demonstrate the required\u00a0\"soft\" skills\u00a0- such as an ability to work under pressure. You can include both paid work experience and\u00a0volunteering roles that demonstrate the right skills.\u00a0\u00a0 You could also\u00a0include significant projects from your study.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t ask employers to wade through paragraphs of text. Bullet points give you the opportunity to start with a verb that makes it crystal clear what you did. E.g. \u201cDesigned\u2026\u201d \u201cNegotiated with\u2026.\u201d. Try to use some of the keywords used in the job specification \u2013 this will make it really easy for employers to tick their \u201ccan do\u201d boxes.\u00a0\u00a0<u><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2018\/10\/16\/cv-tips-watch-your-language\/\">See this great blog on using language well and avoiding common pitfalls<\/a>. <\/u><\/li>\n<li>If specific technical skills are vital to the role \u2013 such as laboratory techniques or programming skills \u2013 it\u2019s a good idea to summarise these (along with your proficiency level for each) on your first page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Error #2 Telling employers what you\u2019ve done, but not how you\u2019ve done it<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A CV is not just for telling employers what you can do, but what your approach and attitude to work is.\u00a0 Yes, fine, you developed and tested an electro-hydraulic control system. But what skills did you use to make that a success? Using your initiative and being self-motivated? Learning from mistakes? Effective project management? Collaborating with others?<\/p>\n<p>Think about what kinds of personal skills the employer is looking for and <a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2018\/10\/22\/cv-tips-writing-effective-bullet-points-part-1\/\"><u>include these words and phrases where relevant in your bullet points<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Error #3 Omitting\u00a0 your achievements<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1416 alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement-323x215.jpg 323w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2019\/03\/Achievement.jpg 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Employers like to know that you\u2019ve made an impact. Some examples could be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Undertaking detailed research that helped to make a project a success (define the success)<\/li>\n<li>Contributing to an improvement in membership \/ sales \/ social media followers (be specific about\u00a0how you contributed, and if you can, quantify the improvement)<\/li>\n<li>Initiating new projects, services or processes that have improved customer experience, or that have just helped people out!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your work experience is an obvious place to start, but don\u2019t forget to describe achievements from \u201cextra-curricular\u201d activities such as volunteering and sport. These things can really make you stand out from other applicants.<\/p>\n<p>Listing a couple of relevant awards and prizes can useful, especially if applying to an employer with a traditionally competitive environment. BUT there\u2019s really no need to have a long list of scholarly awards dating back to your school days.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Error #4 Not getting feedback on your CV! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u00a0suspect that you're doing something wrong,\u00a0then get feedback.\u00a0 Most organisations can\u2019t give feedback\u00a0during the early\u00a0stages of application,\u00a0as\u00a0there are\u00a0so\u00a0many applicants.\u00a0 But there\u00a0may be other people you could talk to - perhaps working in the same industry - who could give you some pointers.\u00a0 Applications Advisers are also here to cast a critical (but encouraging) eye over your CV.\u00a0 You can\u00a0book a 15-minute <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bath.ac.uk\/guides\/careers-service-appointments\/\">CV and <u>Applications Advice appointment<\/u> <\/a>via MyFuture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2016\/11\/11\/five-typical-cv-errors\/\">See this blog on other common CV mistakes<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bath.ac.uk\/publications\/application-cv-and-cover-letter-guide\/\">Read our Application, CV and Cover Letter guide<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/2019\/02\/07\/employer-and-industry-research-theres-more-to-it-than-google\/\">Great resources for employer research<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At this time of year we see plenty of students who haven't yet secured their ideal internship or\u00a0graduate role.\u00a0 We all know that competition is fierce, so\u00a0building your resilience is really important. Take a look at these great blogs\u00a0on dealing...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1176,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[748],"tags":[446],"class_list":["post-1408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archive","tag-cv-rejection-mistakes-errors"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1176"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1408\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}