Listing Duties, Not Achievements
One of the most frequent mistakes is simply listing job responsibilities instead of quantifiable achievements. A skills-first market requires proof of impact. Instead of writing "Managed social media accounts," specify your success: "Grew a client's social media following
by 20% in six months." This small change shifts the focus from what you were assigned to do, to the value you actually delivered. Recruiters want to see results, even from internships or university projects. Think about every role, including volunteer work or university society positions, and identify a measurable outcome. Did you save money, improve a process, or increase engagement? That's what belongs on your CV.
A Generic, One-Size-Fits-All CV
Sending the same CV for every application is a fast track to the rejection pile. Employers are looking for candidates who are a clear match for the specific role, and a generic resume shows a lack of effort. In a skills-first environment, you must tailor your CV by analysing the job description for keywords related to required skills and responsibilities. If a company is looking for data analysis, project management, and Python skills, those words should feature prominently in your skills section and be backed up by examples in your experience. This also helps your CV get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which filter up to 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them.
Hiding Your Most Valuable Skills
While India's job market is shifting towards a skills-first approach, the transition is ongoing. Many companies still look at credentials, but demonstrable skills are your key differentiator. Your CV format should reflect this. Don't bury your most relevant hard and soft skills at the bottom of the page. Create a prominent 'Key Skills' section near the top, just below your personal summary. This section should be a bulleted list of your most relevant competencies, like specific software you've mastered, data analysis techniques, or digital marketing abilities. For a graduate with limited work history, showcasing skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through project examples is crucial.
Ignoring Internships and Projects
Many graduates believe that without formal, full-time work experience, their CV will be empty. This is a mistake. Recruiters hiring for entry-level roles don't expect a long work history; they are looking for potential. Internships, volunteer work, university society roles, and even significant academic projects are all valid forms of experience. Frame these experiences as you would a job. Detail your role, the skills you used, and—most importantly—the outcome. A dissertation on a relevant topic shows research and analytical skills, while managing a university society's budget demonstrates financial responsibility.
Sloppy Formatting and Typos
Spelling mistakes, bad grammar, and inconsistent formatting can get your CV rejected in seconds. These errors suggest a lack of attention to detail, a critical soft skill in any professional role. Your CV should be clean, easy to read, and no longer than two pages—for most graduates, one page is ideal. Use a standard, professional font like Arial or Times New Roman to ensure it can be easily read by ATS software. Before sending it anywhere, proofread it multiple times. A great tip is to print it out and read it aloud; you are more likely to catch mistakes on paper than on a screen.
