REJECTED CV SUPPORT
Why your CV keeps
getting rejected —
and how to fix it.
Repeated rejections or unanswered applications can be frustrating, particularly when you know you have relevant experience. Your CV’s content, presentation and relevance to the vacancy are worth reviewing, alongside the roles you’re targeting. I’ll personally assess your CV and explain what’s working well and where it could be stronger.
If you’d like a second opinion, send it to me for a free CV review.
SHOWING YOUR VALUE
Show employers the difference you made.
Many CVs focus on lists of duties, but recruiters want to see the impact you made. It’s not just about what you were responsible for, but the results you achieved and the value you can bring to a new employer.
My guide on key achievements on a CV shows how to write them.
- Improved a process or system
- Reduced costs or increased efficiency
- Increased productivity or performance
- Led a significant project or initiative
- Developed and supported a team
- Improved customer satisfaction
TAILORED FOR OPPORTUNITY
One CV doesn’t fit every job.
Different employers look for different skills, experience and language. A generic CV can easily be overlooked. Tailoring your CV with the correct keywords means highlighting the most relevant experience for each role, not inventing new experience.
Same experience,
different emphasis
The same experience can be presented in multiple ways depending on what the employer values most.
Tailoring is strategic
not misleading
It’s about focusing on your most relevant achievements and using the right language for the role.
BEHIND THE SCENES
ATS: what actually happens.
An Applicant Tracking System helps employers manage applications. The features and screening rules depend on the system and how the employer uses it. The stages below illustrate one possible process.”
My guide to ATS-friendly CVs explains it in more detail.
Your CV enters the system
Your application is stored and organised with other candidates.
Recruiters search and filter
They look for relevant keywords, skills and experience.
Applications are assessed
Recruiters assess applications against the role’s requirements, using the tools available to them.
A human reviews your CV
A recruiter reads your CV and decides who to invite for an interview.
GET FOUND FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
Keywords matter —
but only when they’re genuine.
Using the right keywords and terminology helps your CV get found in searches, but they must be based on your real experience. Keyword stuffing can make your CV look unnatural and may put recruiters off.
YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
Your LinkedIn profile is
being viewed too.
“Your LinkedIn profile should present a consistent picture of your experience, strengths and career direction. My LinkedIn optimisation and coaching service covers both your profile content and the settings behind it. We work through your account together, setting by setting, discussing visibility, privacy and how you want to present yourself, so you understand the choices and can use LinkedIn confidently.
MAKE A STRONGER IMPRESSION
Your CV is trying to tell
the whole story.
A CV should create enough interest to get you an interview, not include every task from your entire career. A concise, well-structured CV that highlights your most relevant achievements is far more effective.
LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE
Sometimes the problem isn’t your CV.
If you’re not getting interviews, it can also be down to applying for roles that aren’t the right fit, using a generic application for every job, or targeting too many roles at once. A more strategic approach can make a big difference.
- Focus on roles that truly match your experience
- Quality over quantity
- Targeted applications instead of dozens of identical CVs
- Make sure your online presence supports your applications
JOHN’S APPROACH
A personal, consultative service.
I take the time to understand your career goals, experience and the roles you’re targeting. There are no generic questionnaires or assumptions. Instead, we have a real conversation to uncover the achievements you may have overlooked and present them in a way that gets results.
In all the time I have been writing CV’s I have never had a client come back to me saying they did not get any interviews. Not Once
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your Questions Answered.
Why am I not getting interviews even though I’m qualified?
Being qualified doesn’t automatically guarantee interviews. Employers receive a large number of applications, so your CV needs to show not only what you’ve done, but also the value you’ve delivered. If your experience isn’t presented clearly and tailored to the role, recruiters may overlook your application despite your qualifications.
Should I change my CV for every job application?
You don’t need to rewrite your CV from scratch for every application, but you should tailor it to reflect the employer’s priorities. The experience remains the same, but the emphasis should change so that the recruiter can quickly see why you’re a strong match for the role.
Can an Applicant Tracking System reject my CV automatically?
Applicant Tracking Systems help employers organise and search applications, but they don’t make recruitment decisions on their own. Recruiters still decide who is shortlisted. The best approach is to write a clear, well-structured CV using relevant language that accurately reflects your experience, rather than trying to “beat” the software.
How many job applications should I send each week?
Quality is far more important than quantity. Sending dozens of generic applications is usually less effective than submitting a smaller number of well-targeted applications. Taking time to tailor your CV and understand the employer’s requirements will often produce better results than applying for every vacancy you find.
When should I consider using a professional CV writing service?
If you’ve been applying for jobs consistently without securing interviews, it’s often worth having your CV professionally reviewed. An experienced CV writer can identify weaknesses, highlight achievements you may have overlooked and present your experience in a way that is more likely to attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
CLIENT SUCCESS
What Clients Say.
“I contacted John Logan after a recommendation from a colleague, and I couldn’t be more pleased. He was polite, encouraging, and incredibly patient, taking the time to understand my experience and career goals.
John provided invaluable insight into how CVs are now reviewed using applicant tracking systems and other modern recruiting methods, explaining how recruiters filter candidates and what makes an application stand out. He also advised on the best ways to apply for roles in today’s job market. His expert guidance on structuring a CV, formatting content, utilising keywords, and networking made the whole process much clearer and more effective for me.
I’d highly recommend John.”
Paul Ashman
Senior Project Manager
“Working with John was a fantastic experience and has left me with the tools to confidently apply anywhere. His clear and tailored process ensures that you will leave with a CV/Professional profile you are happy with and know inside and out. Most importantly the final product will accurately display you as an applicant. I couldn’t recommend him enough.
Thanks, John.”
Mack Cowling
University Graduate