It takes less than 60 seconds for a CV to be rejected, reports HR consultancy Chiumento.
The main reason employers reject a CV is because of irrelevance to the role (27 per cent), 22 per cent cite inappropriate qualifications as a reason for rejection, while poor presentation is the third most common reason for CVs to be turned down, cited by 12 per cent of respondents.
It seems the traditional approach of a two-page CV still holds good, preferred by 66 per cent of respondents, with only three per cent saying they would be happy to receive a one-page CV.
Fancy fonts and art styles do not do it for recruiters with 63 per cent stating that they are unnecessary and only 19 per cent preferring a CV to be printed in colour.
The reverse chronological CV is still preferred by 55 per cent, but a quarter of respondents also want to see a CV that is tailored to a specific role.
Despite the increasing use by candidates of profile summaries at the start of CVs, 21 per cent don’t think that they are necessary and 42 per cent are indifferent. However over a third believe that they are essential. If they are included then 37 per cent believe that just three lines is appropriate.
A covering letter that accompanies the CV is increasingly important and half of respondents believe that it is now as important as the CV. Only 7 per cent of organisations surveyed said they did not accept speculative CVs.
