A few months ago, I was deep in the job-hunting trenches, sending out applications like there was no tomorrow.
I thought I had a decent CV — after all, I’d spent hours tweaking its design and text to make it “great”.
But the reality hit hard. After submitting 100 applications, I landed just one interview and one online assessment. That’s a 2% conversion rate — a number that would terrify any job seeker. I knew something was wrong, and I was determined to figure out what.
Looking back, my old CV was a textbook example of what not to do. It had two critical mistakes that were silently sabotaging my chances.
First, the styling was a disaster for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). I styled it myself to make it stand out, without using any template, but I didn’t realize that ATS software — the gatekeeper for most job applications — couldn’t read it properly. To the machine, my CV was practically invisible.
Second, I wasted valuable space with a text block profile at the top. Instead of showcasing achievements and experience, I wrote a generic paragraph about myself. It looked nice, but it did nothing to grab attention or get me interviews.
The lesson was clear: a CV isn’t a portfolio or a biography — it’s a tool.
If it’s not getting you interviews, it’s not working.
That 2% conversion rate was a wake-up call. I decided to redo my CV from scratch, this time focusing on what actually works. I dug into the best practices and distilled them into
- Highlight key achievements – showcase your most valuable/relevant experience
- Show impact with numbers – use numerical data to demonstrate results that you achieved at work or during studies
- Keep it simple – easy to read, both in styling and in meaning
- Stick to one page – HR do not have much time, make it short and to the point
- Use keywords – helps to pass the ATS scanning
The results?
My new CV achieved a 20% conversion rate, landing me interviews for 1 in every 5 applications — a massive leap that opened doors I never thought possible.
On the first day with my new CV, I sent out 5 applications and got 3 invites to interviews!
If my journey taught me anything, it’s that a good CV isn’t about looking pretty — it’s about working smart. Want to take your CV to the next level and see results like I did?
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