5 CV Mistakes That Might Be Holding You Back
Job applicants with amazing skills have been missing great opportunities— not because they weren’t qualified, but because their CV wasn’t doing them any favors.
How to fix the problem
- Outdated Format:
If your CV still looks like it’s from the early 2000s, it’s time for a revamp.
📌 Tip: Use a clean, simple layout that’s easy to scan. No fancy fonts or colorful designs — just keep it simple.
- Generic Job Descriptions:
Listing tasks isn’t enough. Recruiters want to see what you actually achieved.
❌ Managed social media accounts
✅ Grew Instagram followers by 60% in 6 months through targeted content strategies
- No Keywords:
If your CV doesn’t match what recruiters are searching for, they might never see it.
📌 Tip: Carefully read the job description and, select the relevant keywords and spread them naturally — especially in the skills and experience sections. - Too Long:
You want to share everything. But recruiters only spend a few seconds on each CV.
📌 Tip: Keep it to 1–2 pages. Highlight your best, most relevant experiences, and cut anything that doesn’t add value. - Skipping Achievements
Your CV is your chance to show off — don’t waste it by hiding your wins or achievements
📌 Tip: Add numbers and results where possible:
✅ Increased sales by 90% in 6 months
✅ Trained 10+ new hires, reducing onboarding time by 70%
NOTE: Your CV should make recruiters excited to call you. If it’s not doing that, it might be time to tweak a few things.
Need a CV that actually gets seen (and gets you interviews)?
Email your CV to cv@oyk.co.ke with subject ‘Revamp, for express CV makeover!
