Why Was My Resume Rejected? 4 Things You May Need to Correct | Student Reviews & University Rankings EDUopinions

Why Was My Resume Rejected? 4 Things You May Need to Correct

02/11/2018

Why did you apply to university? A straightforward answer to this question would be: “So that I can get the job I want.” Your entire educational journey has a single purpose to put you on the right career path. So at one point or another, you will start applying to job ads. Some students decide to do that while they are at school, and others wait until they graduate.

It’s at that point when they face an issue: resume writing. Did you already submit a resume and got rejected? We may know the reasons why.

EDUopinions is always here to give you the tips you need. EDUopinions is an online platform that collects students’ opinions about universities. Our content also includes tips on how to deal with exams, time constraints, and life at university in general. But we also offer great tips for your journey after graduation.

 

Why Your Resume Was Rejected – 4 Mistakes to Identify and Correct

 

Inadequate Education and Experience

Students and recent graduates have a serious problem when applying to jobs: they lack experience. Most open positions require experience and you do not have any, so how do you get a job? It’s the paradox of getting your first position.

Some online guides will advise you to focus on education over experience. They will tell you to mention the most important courses. But when a job ad specifically calls for experience, you cannot apply to it saying “Oh I took a course so I am just fine.”

What you can do is mention similar experiences. Did you participate in internships on a position that imposed similar requirements? Did you complete projects that are relatable to the job tasks? If you have such experiences, go ahead and list them. If not, this is not the ad you should be applying to. Search for entry-level positions that would be a nice fit for your current level of skills and experience.

 

Grammar and Organisation Issues

It is strange to see how many people are not concerned about grammar and organisation at all when applying to jobs. They assume that the employer’s sole interest would be the experience and skills listed in the application documents. They are wrong.

Grammar issues make you seem like an unserious candidate. If the hiring manager sees a single misspelling or an improperly formed sentence, you will just look silly in their eyes. The format of the resume is also very important. This is an official document that has to meet the industry standards.

You can correct this mistake in a very simple way: edit your resume before sending it! If you lack confidence in your language skills, you may rely on a college assignment help service, so a professional editor will cover that step for you.

 

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Missing the X Factor

Employers are not just looking for skills and accomplishments. They are very concerned about the way a new employee would fit in their organisation. That’s why they want to get a sense of their character out of the resume and cover letter. If your resume is too dry or based on a template, it will fail to show that X factor, which you surely possess.

How can you fix this? Just be authentic and spice it up. Be you!

You may experiment with a different format of a resume, such as an infographic or even a video application. If you prefer the textual format, you can still convey your personality through it. Just use the summary section in a very smart way. Use the elevator pitch: how would you introduce yourself ina few seconds to a person you meet in an elevator? Say what your career choice is, what you want to do for a living and how this organisation fits into your plans.

If you are crafting a CV instead of a resume, you do not have much space to reflect your uniqueness. The cover letter, however, is a more flexible format that allows you to introduce your X factor.

 

Gaps in Education/Job Experience

Some hiring managers are being careful about hiring candidates with gaps in education or work experience. Some will go as far as not hiring people who are currently unemployed.

Can you make any corrections to fix this issue?

If you took a gap year during your studies or after graduation, you need to explain it. Maybe you were traveling. Maybe you were committed to online learning. Maybe you had to take some time off due to health issues. Whatever the reason was, turn it into an experience you learned from.

If you cannot address the gap in the CV, do it in the cover letter. Explain what you did throughout that period of time and find a way to relate the experience to the job you’re applying for. Even things you did not plan for teach valuable life lessons, such as patience and persistence. Traveling adventures are a major learning experience. If you were taking online courses, explain what skills they helped you gain.

 

Are You Ready to Improve Your Resume?

So maybe your previous job application did not go as smoothly as you hoped for. The good news is that you can always improve it. Hey; it’s not the end of the world!

Are you inspired to revisit your resume and bring it back to life? It is a simple document, but it can really change your life.

You might also want to check out our article on the Top 5 Tips To Make Your Resume Stand Out.

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Written by
Joseph
Joe McLean is a blogger, writer, and researcher. He holds an MA degree in psychology. Naturally, that’s his favourite niche to blog about. In addition to psychology, travelling is one of his biggest passions.

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