When Tom, an experienced IT support technician from Leeds, reached out to us at Resource Provider Ltd, he was confused. He’d applied for over 20 jobs in two months all roles he was qualified for and hadn’t heard back from a single one.
He had solid experience, reliable references, and a long list of technical skills. So why was his CV getting ignored?
We took a closer look, and the problem became clear immediately.
His CV, like so many we see, was quietly sabotaging his chances.
Tom’s Mistakes — And What You Can Learn From Them
1. His CV Had No Structure
Tom’s CV started with an outdated objective and continued with a wall of text. No bullet points. No clear sections. Recruiters don’t read every word they scan. His CV gave them nothing to latch onto.
2. He Listed Every Job Since 2003
Yes, Tom had worked hard but his first few jobs (retail assistant, delivery driver) weren’t relevant anymore. By including everything, he buried the good stuff. Recruiters couldn’t see his recent IT certifications or his current helpdesk responsibilities.
3. Generic Phrases Were Everywhere
“Team player,” “strong communication skills,” “can-do attitude.” All true, but so overused they meant nothing. His CV sounded like a copy-and-paste job. It didn’t reflect his story.
4. No Mention of Achievements
Tom had helped his last company reduce system downtime by 35% in one year but that wasn’t on his CV. He’d listed duties, but not results. Recruiters want impact, not just job titles.
5. Missing Keywords
The job description mentioned “network diagnostics,” “ticketing systems,” and “Office 365 support.” None of those words were on Tom’s CV, even though he worked with all of them daily. This meant his CV was likely being filtered out by ATS software before a human ever saw it.
The Turnaround
We rewrote Tom’s CV just two pages, tightly focused on his IT career, with quantified achievements, clear formatting, and keywords tailored to the types of roles he was applying for.
He applied to three new roles that week.
By the next week, he had two interviews lined up. A month later, he accepted a job offer from a mid-sized tech firm in Manchester with a 15% salary increase.
So, What’s the Lesson?
Even highly capable professionals like Tom can fall into common CV traps. And the frustrating part? You may never know that your CV not your experience is the real issue.
Here Are the Most Common Mistakes We See at Resource Provider Ltd:
- Spelling and grammar errors
- No clear structure or formatting
- Vague or outdated personal statements
- CVs that are too long (or too short)
- No measurable results or achievements
- Using the same CV for every job
- Old or irrelevant experience listed in detail
- Gaps in employment not explained
- Not enough keywords to pass ATS filters
- Missing or unprofessional contact details
We’ve Helped Hundreds of UK Candidates Like Tom And We Can Help You Too
At Resource Provider Ltd, we work closely with jobseekers to craft CVs that reflect who they really are and what employers are actually looking for. Whether you’re in finance, healthcare, tech, or construction, we can help you stand out.
Before you send off another application, ask yourself:
Does my CV clearly tell my story in a way that makes recruiters want to call me?
If not, it’s time for a change. And we’re here to guide you through it.