Your CV itself:

Your resume is your marketing tool and if it fails to impress employers, it can lead to your application being overlooked. Ensure that your resume is well-organised, error-free and clearly highlights your most relevant qualifications and achievements. Use strong action verbs and quantify your accomplishments to make your resume stand out.

Lacking customisation is another common error. Applicants often submit generic applications that fail to address the specific requirements and mention irrelevant skills. Employers seek candidates who show a genuine interest in their company and demonstrate exactly how their skills align with the position. Tailor each application by highlighting the relevant experiences you have, the skills and accomplishments that directly relate to the job description.

Once your layout is drafted, consider the format of your CV. Employers tend to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. These scan for specific keywords related to the job requirements.  If you're sending in your resume in a PDF format, make sure that the text can be highlighted with your cursor. This ensures that the ATS system will be able to read the text. Since ATS will not read any images or an untraceable application lacks these keywords, it may not make it through the initial screening process! Review the job description carefully and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume and cover letter, ensuring a better chance of passing the ATS filter.

If your job applications are consistently ignored, assess your approach and identify areas for improvement. Customising your applications, strengthening your resume, incorporating relevant keywords, networking, maintaining an online presence and following up can enhance your chances of getting noticed by employers. Remember that perseverance is key and each rejection is an opportunity to learn and refine your strategy. With persistence and a targeted approach, you can increase your chances of landing that desired job opportunity.