CVs Hustle – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1039

CVs Hustle – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1039

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1039 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to pharmaveterans2017@gmail.com for publishing our contributions here.

Credit: Aida Cervera

Credit: cottonbro studio

Credit: RDNE Stock Project

Preamble

CV, the acronym for Curriculum Vitae has origin in Italian language meaning ‘the course of one’s life or career’. In popular terms, it is a detailed account of one’s work experience, professional training, and educational background. It is a document prepared by candidates who are applying for a job. A résumé – French origin – on the other hand is a brief account of the information contained in the CV. 

Great confusion exists about CV and résumé. Too much content in available on the subject online and an army of self-proclaimed experts and consultants has emerged who offer to make CVs that would guarantee an interview. Google search returns hundreds of templates which can be downloaded and filled to make a CV. 

CV writing has indeed evolved over the years, and while there are many helpful suggestions floating around, there are also many problems that have emerged because of misinformation or over-complication. Here are some of the current challenges with CV writing, along with potential solutions.

Overcomplicating the Structure and Design

A lot of CV experts encourage flashy designs, complex formatting, or the inclusion of a variety of unnecessary sections (e.g., personal interests, quotes, excessive use of icons). This can overwhelm recruiters who typically prefer simplicity and clarity.

It is advisable to keep the CV clean and simple, using a traditional structure with clear headings and concise bullet points. Use design elements like bold or italics sparingly to highlight key information but avoid overly creative fonts or visuals. Stick to a format that is easy to scan in under 30 seconds.

Keyword Overload

With the rise of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), many CVs are stuffed with keywords in a way that reads unnaturally. While it's important to tailor your CV to the job description, overly focusing on keywords can lead to robotic language and a lack of genuine personal touch.

Please ensure that keywords are integrated meaningfully into your CV. Tailor your CV for each role but don’t sacrifice readability. Instead of just listing keywords, use them in the context of demonstrating your experience and accomplishments. Aim for a balance between optimizing for ATS and keeping it engaging for human readers.

Overemphasis on Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Many CVs focus too much on listing job duties and responsibilities, rather than showcasing specific achievements and measurable outcomes. Recruiters are interested in what you've actually accomplished and how you added value to the organization.

It is important to focus on results, achievements, and skills that are quantifiable (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% within 6 months” or “Managed a team of 10 people, leading to a 15% productivity increase”). Use action verbs and ensure your contributions stand out, rather than just explaining what you were responsible for.

Lack of Customization for Each Job Application

A "one-size-fits-all" CV approach is still common, where candidates use the same CV for multiple job applications. This reduces the chances of making a strong impact with the recruiter.

Always customize your CV for each job application. Focus on highlighting the skills, experiences, and achievements that are most relevant to the specific role you're applying for. A tailored CV demonstrates effort and a keen understanding of the job requirements.

Ignoring the “Personal Brand”

Many CVs lack a cohesive personal brand or fail to communicate a candidate's unique value proposition. A CV is not just a list of qualifications, but an opportunity to present yourself as a solution to the employer's needs.

Must develop a personal brand by creating a professional summary or objective statement at the top of your CV. This should be a brief paragraph that explains who you are, what you bring to the table, and how you can add value to the employer. Your CV should tell a consistent story that aligns with the type of role you're aiming for.

Inadequate Focus on Soft Skills

There is a tendency to focus primarily on technical skills and hard qualifications, while soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork are often neglected. Or worse still, irrelevant soft skills are listed.

Please include soft skills but do so within the context of your work experience. For example, instead of just listing "team player," demonstrate how you worked collaboratively on a project or how your communication skills helped you resolve a conflict or improve efficiency in a team.

Failure to Highlight Career Progression

Some CVs fail to showcase clear career progression. Candidates may list multiple roles without showing how their responsibilities or expertise had grown over time.

Structure your work experience to highlight progression in terms of responsibilities, leadership roles, or skills acquired. Employers want to see how you have grown within previous roles or companies. Use clear headings such as “Promotions” or “Increased Responsibilities” where applicable.

Overuse of Generic Language

Many CVs suffer from overuse of generic and cliché phrases like “hardworking,” “go-getter,” or “team player.” These phrases don’t provide any real insight into the candidate's abilities.

Better use specific examples to demonstrate the qualities you're claiming. Instead of saying "I am a team player," describe a situation where your teamwork led to a successful project outcome. Tailor the language to the specifics of the job and avoid vague buzzwords.

Not Addressing Gaps in Employment

Employment gaps are often left unaddressed, or worse, ignored. Recruiters may raise questions about why a candidate has a gap in their work history, especially if it’s unexplained.

Be transparent about employment gaps, and if possible, provide context. Whether you took time off for personal reasons, pursued education, or engaged in freelance work, briefly explain how you stayed productive during that time. The key is to focus on how you've continued to develop during the gap.

Failure to Proofread or Overlooking the Importance of Editing

A CV with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or formatting inconsistencies reflects poorly on the candidate and can lead to an immediate rejection.

Always proofread your CV multiple times. Consider using tools like Grammarly or asking a friend or mentor to review it. Ensure that the formatting is consistent, and check for typos, alignment issues, and other small mistakes that might slip through the cracks.

Neglecting the Digital Era – Lack of Online Presence

Many candidates still neglect to include links to their online presence, such as LinkedIn profiles, personal websites, or portfolios. In today’s digital age, an online presence is often expected.

Include relevant links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or portfolio, especially if they provide additional context to your qualifications. Ensure your LinkedIn profile aligns with the information on your CV, as many recruiters will check it for further details.

Sum Up

In Summary, CV is your showcase and an opportunity to present yourself to the recruiter. It should be taken in that spirit and not just a lifeless paper. 

To make your presence felt, following is recommended.

• Keep it simple and clean. Avoid overly complicated designs.

• Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities.

• Tailor your CV for each application.

• Develop and communicate your personal brand.

• Showcase career progression and soft skills.

• Be transparent about gaps in employment.

• Proofread meticulously.

• Include links to your professional online presence.

By addressing these issues and following these solutions, you can create a CV that stands out, communicates your value effectively, and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Concluded.

Disclaimers: Pictures in these blogs are taken from free resources at Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Google. Credit is given where available. If a copyright claim is lodged, we shall remove the picture with appropriate regrets.

For most blogs, I research from several sources which are open to public. Their links are mentioned under references. There is no intent to infringe upon anyone’s copyrights. If, however, it happens unintentionally, I offer my sincere regrets.