The Self-limiting tendency to CV
I’ve written over 100 CVs and in doing so observed a common self-limiting theme occurring in different forms that hinders having a good CV and/or seeing a positive result with CV.
First is for people to think they never can have a good CV than they have.
This is not that they have a good CV. But that they have a mediocre and poorly constructed one.
It often stems from doing CV by oneself when having inadequate knowledge about CV.
Adopting and editing templates on Microsoft word or Canva not realising it takes more to develop a CV beyond just templates.
Or that they just contracted services of quack CV writers for the job.
They accept fate having explored what’s to them best option(s) thus repeatedly receive negative feedback on applications.
Worst is many in this category are aware there’s something wrong but do not make any effort to remedy such.
People in this group need to step out of their self-limitation and see what can be and what a CV really is.
You either seek knowledge on CV and its writing or get a professional to handle it.
The second point on the discussed theme connects with the first point.
Many times I revamped CVs in the first category it came with a large percentage of the bearers being wowed but also fearful.
They aren’t just amazed by the transformation but worried if they are what the CV portrays.
This not a case of them and their qualities being underreported, exaggerated or what is not being presented, but unbelievably enhanced and vivid.
They know the new depiction about them is true but fear if they would be able to defend it.
This is really true. I wish I could describe this more.
Getting to know yourself more on a fundamental level is important. And confidence to be able to defend yourself also is. But you only get confident when you know yourself (well and more).
With confidence an interview is already half-aced.
The second point made also relates with the third one.
I’ve had it that in the course of writing CV when I include some skills, I’m believed to have pulled them out of thin air.
Take for instance, someone is of Accountancy field, and I include attention to detail and critical appraisal skills in his CV and doesn’t sit right with the person.
But critically appraising accounts is basic of Accountancy practices, which often entails thoroughness as this would inform decisions.
It’s why I’ve mentioned the essence of knowing yourself.
This develops into the fourth point I would like to make of my observations.
I’ve seen people limiting and condemning themselves to unemployment as they have a basic CV not filled with experiences of some sort of high education and working big jobs.
They draw the curtains and accept that’s what will ever be for them. Such limitation!
Having great qualifications and experiences is important (I advise to strive for this) and can make you stand out, but that’s not all that’s needed.
Many with great qualifications and experiences struggle to secure a job.
How you organise, depict and present your qualities matter.
Impactful storytelling, communicating for impact, and persuasive communication are crucial.
The most basic qualities, experiences and skills are not useless and actually can be fashioned into an outstanding CV.
There are examples of people having average education, few experiences, and basic skills working in great places, on merit.
This sums into the final point of this piece -the stigma with working low end jobs and the desire to eliminate them from CV for this reason or that they do not relate with experiences or image being portrayed.
First of all, I like to emphasise that there should be dignity in legal and sane labour even when low end and people shouldn’t be stigmatised for taking up such roles.
The society is an entity where all its part must be functional; when a part ceases to function or doesn’t properly other parts are affected.
Also that people have come from different backgrounds, have different struggles in life and expecting people not to have one struggle or the other doesn’t portray reality.
What you have done in the past sums into the present and there’s no way to talk about the present without talking about the past.
And talking about the present without talking about what made it is disingenuous.
Recruiters understand this. They aren’t looking for perfection but genuineness and competence.
There’s a reason it’s called ‘work history’.
Not telling how a job you’ve undertaken in the past is important or connects with other jobs is the issue.
I was writing CV for someone, and the person wanted me to remove a cab driving role he did.
Aside convincing the person why the role has to stay with what I previously discussed, I first had to change the job role to chauffeur.
Based on my discussion with him this better depicts his job role.
As a chauffeur or a driver you aren’t just driving people around, you are helping them keep to time, have a great and safe experience going interesting places filling them with stories and safeguarding them and their belongings.
It is all about perspectives and seeing things broader.
Now this person has background in Accountancy. So how does this relate?
First is that as a chauffeur you are being accountable for people and their belongings.
Also, you are assessing traffic and shortcuts and situations to get your employers to their destination in the shortest time possible and safely.
What you do with creating interesting trips also depicts being a skilled communicator and easily relating with people, and good with multitasking doing all this while driving.
These jobs, skills and others connect, one only need to look deeper and differently.
At this juncture, beyond just knowing oneself more, it’s quite important to know more about one’s job -looking at it from a fundamental level, expanding thinking of it, and thinking more of it and in high regard.
Remember: ‘defeat is mental’; ‘the worst form of disbelief is in self’, ‘we are defeated more in imagination than reality’, ‘knowing what’s wrong the problem is half-solved’.
Do not resign yourself to impossibility. Try to see beyond the limitation of the mind or self-imposed limitation. Research more. Seek help when you feel you need one.
