Why Your CV Might Be Costing You Job Interviews—And How to Fix It
- Afri Careers
- May 4
- 2 min read
Updated: May 7
In today’s fast-paced hiring world first impressions happen fast. Research shows recruiters spend less than 7 seconds scanning a CV before deciding if you’re a potential fit. And if your CV is more than three pages long, it’s probably working against you!
At AfriCareers, we’ve reviewed thousands of job applications. And time and again, we’ve seen the same common mistakes costing candidates interviews—even when they’re qualified.
Let’s break down the 3 biggest CV mistakes and how to fix them:
1. Your CV Is Too Long
If your CV stretches beyond 2 pages (or 3 pages if you have 10+ years of senior experience), it instantly becomes a chore to read.
✅ What employers want: Clarity, brevity, and relevance. Not your life story.
❌ Avoid:
Listing every job since graduation
Paragraphs of generic information
✅ Do this instead:
Focus on recent, relevant experience
Highlight results, not responsibilities
2. You’re Including Unnecessary Personal Information
We still see CVs cluttered with personal data like:
Date of birth
Marital status
Full home address
🚫 These details are irrelevant and can even raise bias risks.
✅ Use that valuable space to show:
Tools you’ve mastered (e.g., Slack, Trello, QuickBooks)
Languages you speak
Career achievements or certifications
3. Your Bullet Points Sound Like a Job Description
Saying “Managed client accounts” sounds like you copied your contract. It tells the recruiter nothing about your impact.
✅ Better: “Managed 12 client accounts and increased retention by 22% over 6 months.”
Tip: Each bullet should answer: “How did I make a difference?”
Your CV Is a Sales Pitch—Make It Count
Think of your CV as your personal marketing tool. If it’s not selling your value, it’s not doing its job.
Want to see what a modern, work-ready ATS CV looks like? Check out various CV samples by clicking the button below. Let us help you craft a winning CV.
📌 Whether you're applying for jobs in Africa or abroad, your CV should work for you—not against you.
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