Career Planet
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About us
    • Advertisers
    • Contact us
    Facebook
    Career Planet
    • Home
    • I’m unemployed
    • Training
      • TVET Colleges
        • TVET training
        • TVET grad-zone
        • TVET news
      • Private Colleges
      • Universities
      • Universities of Technology
      • Training Providers
      • Training Options
      • The SA training landscape
      • Financing Your Studies
      • Bursaries
      • Online Books
    • My career
      • Career planning
        • Tools 4 school
      • Job Descriptions
      • Entrepreneurship
        • South Africa needs entrepreneurs
        • You are not alone: business coaching, advice & support
        • Business development support
        • Tips and tools for entrepreneurs
        • Career Planet entrepreneur showcase
        • Support for business growth sectors
      • Working world
        • Get workwise
        • Women @ Work
        • The future of work
        • Diversity @ Work
    • Personal Growth
      • 1 Minute Finishing School
      • The world is my classroom
      • Body, Mind & Spirit
      • Personal management
      • Personal branding
      • Parents & guardians
    • Opportunities
      • Free skills training
      • Apprenticeships
      • Internships
      • Learnerships
      • Bursaries
    • FAQ
    • Industry access focus series
      • 1. Welcome to the world of BPO careers
      • 2. All about BPO
      • 3. BPO Job descriptions
      • 4. BPO skills development
      • 5. Is BPO for you?
      • 6. BPO Job opportunities
    • Artisan careers
    Career Planet
    CV Writing Tips

    Your CV May Never Be Seen by a Human

    Career PlanetBy Career PlanetUpdated:No Comments7 Mins Read

    Everyone applying for a job would like their CV to be seen by a recruiter or line manager, right?
    Well, truth be told, there are various reasons why potential candidates CV’s aren’t being looked by recruiters, managers or even any human at all.

    Knowing why this is, and how to improve your chances of your résumé saying hello to a human eye, is essential for landing that job you want. How can you prevent this from happening and stand a better chance of being discovered amongst thousands of other applicants?

    Why the miss?

    Nowadays, with increased complexity and more CVs being submitted per online job than ever before, those judging the CVs for rejection or interviews are inundated with administrative work. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) and CV parser technologies have entered the market and do most of the “dirty work” by sifting through hundreds of applications and automatically rejecting those that don’t seem to made the grade.

    Still, some software programs used by recruiting agencies and companies are at fault in the fact that they mistakenly disregard CVs based on a lack of info (such as the right keywords, for instance). However, applying certain formats and key aspects to your CV, whilst omitting others, will go a long way to getting your CV in front of the right person.

    Experts suggest the following tips:

    • Make sure that your CV is spelling-error free – spelling mistakes can cause your CV to be discarded with words not being recognised by the software. This is especially important when it involves important words in your CV such as job title, for example.
    • Zoning in on skills – use keywords related and directed at your skills and put them into your CV. The software can pick these up when filtering out the best CVs. An example would be for a software developer to use the words programming, coding and developing in their CV instead of only using one all along.
    • Utilise MSWord format or PDF – When it comes to format, you have to choose which one will stand a better chance. Depending on the advancement of the software, it may read PDF, but sometimes it’s best to go with a regular formatted MSWord document instead. Don’t use anything other than these two options.
    • Consistency – being consistent with the format of information on your CV plays an important role for example stating work history (company name, job title, location and date).
    • Simple easy to read font – When it comes to the font choice, it’s best to go with a standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial or Tahoma. Also don’t colour your CV fonts, rather stick to regular black ink.
    • CV headings – keep your CV headings standard such as skills, education, languages and work experience.

    When it comes to things you should avoid on your CV, the following are some pointers to steer clear from:

    • Avoid using image files or images in your résumé
    • Don’t use white font in an attempt to add keywords – CV parsers are sophisticated enough to spot this
    • No tables – these confuse the software packages when they “break down” the tables to text
    • No special texts or fonts
    • Avoid spamming a company with several CVs to the same job – most ATSs can spot this and may even ignore ome of your applications
    • Avoid unnecessary abbreviations that may not be recognised by software parsers
    • Don’t put any headings into the footer and header sections of a page – these are often not read by the robots.

    Your CV May Never Be Seen by a Human

    Everyone applying for a job would like their CV to be seen by a recruiter or line manager, not right? The question is rhetorical, in fact, why wouldn’t it be seen, even if only for a short few minutes before being rejected? Well, truth be told, there are various reasons why potential candidates CV’s aren’t being looked by recruiters, managers or even any human at all.

    Knowing why this is so and how to improve your chances of your résumé saying hello to a human eye is essential in landing that top job you want. How can you prevent this from happening and stand a better chance of being discovered amongst thousands of other applicants?

    Why the miss?

    Nowadays, with increased complexity and more CVs being submitted per online job than ever before, those judging the CVs for rejection or interviews are inundated with administrative work. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) and CV parser technologies have entered the market and do most of the “dirty work” by sifting through hundreds of applications and automatically rejecting those that don’t seem to made the grade.

    Still, some software programs used by recruiting agencies and companies are at fault in the fact that they mistakenly disregard CVs based on a lack of info (such as the right keywords, for instance). However, applying certain formats and key aspects to your CV, whilst omitting others, will go a long way to getting your CV in front of the right person.

    Experts suggest the following tips:

    • Make sure that your CV is spelling-error free – spelling mistakes can cause your CV to be discarded with words not being recognised by the software. This is especially important when it involves important words in your CV such as job title, for example.
    • Zoning in on skills – use keywords related and directed at your skills and put them into your CV. The software can pick these up when filtering out the best CVs. An example would be for a software developer to use the words programming, coding and developing in their CV instead of only using one all along.
    • Utilise MSWord format or PDF – When it comes to format, you have to choose which one will stand a better chance. Depending on the advancement of the software, it may read PDF, but sometimes it’s best to go with a regular formatted MSWord document instead. Don’t use anything other than these two options.
    • Consistency – being consistent with the format of information on your CV plays an important role for example stating work history (company name, job title, location and date).
    • Simple easy to read font – When it comes to the font choice, it’s best to go with a standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial or Tahoma. Also don’t colour your CV fonts, rather stick to regular black ink.
    • CV headings – keep your CV headings standard such as skills, education, languages and work experience.

    When it comes to things you should avoid on your CV, the following are some pointers to steer clear from:

    • Avoid using image files or images in your résumé
    • Don’t use white font in an attempt to add keywords – CV parsers are sophisticated enough to spot this
    • No tables – these confuse the software packages when they “break down” the tables to text
    • No special texts or fonts
    • Avoid spamming a company with several CVs to the same job – most ATSs can spot this and may even ignore ome of your applications
    • Avoid unnecessary abbreviations that may not be recognised by software parsers
    • Don’t put any headings into the footer and header sections of a page – these are often not read by the robots.

    If you can master the art of creating or sprucing up your CV to pass ATS and CV parser software then you’re well on your way to a possible interview.

    If you can master the art of creating or sprucing up your CV to pass ATS and CV parser software then you’re well on your way to a possible interview.

    Source: Adzuna

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Career Planet

    Related Posts

    Your Gap Year – things to think about.

    CV cover letter tips for school leavers

    Transferable skills – your personal advantage

    BLOG
    Home page news

    What is Cloud Computing?

    By Team Career Planet5 Jun 2022
    Home page news

    From Grade 9 to PhD through TVET College.

    By laeniadmin4 May 2022
    Home page news

    Student hones his skills for greater employment prospects.

    By Team Career Planet4 May 2022
    Home page news

    Registered Field Guide is living the dream!

    By Team Career Planet17 May 2022
    Home page news

    Junior Achievement SA Skills Development opportunities

    By Team Career Planet28 Apr 2022
    About Us
    About Us

    Career Planet is a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company and believes in connecting young people with opportunities for FREE through our website and on their cellphones!

    Career Planet is a registered PBO (No. 930025803) that has been helping young people with career advice and access to training and opportunities since 2008. Our operations are funded through a combination of donations and sponsorships that offer a return on investment.

    NPO number: 129-906
    PBO number: 930025803

    Quick Links
    Home
    Your career
    Working world
    Training
    Entrepreneurship
    Personal Growth
    Opportunities
    FAQ
    Contact us
    Newsletter Subscribe
    Receive news and updates, upcoming events and more

    Lists*

    Loading
    Copyright © 2021 Career Planet. All rights reserved. Website - evoDev.  Maintenance - Dezigner Lane.
    • About us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.