🚨Mistakes Employers Notice You Make While Applying for Jobs (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid these and boost your chances. These are the most common mistakes employers notice applicants make:
🧾 1. Generic CVs That Sound Like Everyone Else
If your CV looks like it could apply to any job, anywhere — that’s a major red flag. Recruiters and employers don’t have time to guess what you’re actually applying for.
❌ What this looks like:
“Looking for a challenging position in a growth-oriented company.”
“I am a hardworking and loyal employee.”
These lines tell the employer nothing.
✅ Fix it:
Tailor your CV. Even just mentioning the company name or job title once in your objective or summary can make a huge difference. It shows you care enough to adjust your application for them — not just mass-send the same file everywhere.
🛠 2. Unclear or Too Broad Job Titles
Job titles like “Technician” or “Supervisor” don’t say much. Employers need to know exactly what kind of work you’ve done, especially when they’re hiring from overseas and can’t interview everyone.
❌ What this looks like:
“Supervisor – 2018–2022”
“Technician at XYZ Company”
✅ Fix it:
Be specific. Say:
“Plumbing Technician – Residential and Commercial Installations”
“Warehouse Supervisor – FMCG & Inventory Control”
The more precise your role, the easier it is for someone to imagine you in their company.
🧹 3. Poor Formatting and Bad Design Choices
A recruiter takes less than 10 seconds to scan your CV. If it’s full of text blocks, weird fonts, or spelling mistakes — it gets skipped.
❌ What this looks like:
Writing your duties in paragraph form with no bullet points.
Fonts like Comic Sans or ALL CAPS everywhere.
No separation between sections.
✅ Fix it:
Use bold headings, bullet points under each job, and keep things clean. Use simple, readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. And always spell-check — basic mistakes can look careless.
🛂 4. Missing Important Info Like Passport or Availability
If you’re applying internationally, especially to Gulf countries, things like passport status and availability are non-negotiables.
❌ What this looks like:
No mention of when you’re available to start.
No indication of visa/passport readiness.
No contact number or email on page 1.
✅ Fix it:
Add a small section to the top of your CV:
Availability: Immediately
Passport: Valid until 2029
Visa: Ready / In Process
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Phone / WhatsApp: +254 XXX XXX XXX
This helps employers filter the right people fast — and makes you stand out as “ready to deploy.”
❌ 5. Ignoring Application Instructions
This is one of the most common but painful reasons people lose out.
If the job post says “Attach your passport copy” and you forget? You may be automatically disqualified — even if you’re a perfect match.
✅ Fix it:
Always read the job ad twice. If they ask for documents, send them. If they want the subject line to say “Driver Application UAE,” then copy that exactly. These steps show you are detail-oriented — a big plus for any employer.
🖼 6. No Profile Photo (When It’s Clearly Required)
In many Gulf roles — especially hospitality, sales, or security — employers expect to see a professional headshot. If your CV has no photo, you risk being skipped.
❌ What this looks like:
No photo at all.
A casual selfie or social media pic with sunglasses or filters.
✅ Fix it:
Use a passport-style photo:
Plain background
Neutral expression
No filters
Proper grooming (hair, beard, etc.)
It’s not about looks — it’s about presentability and professionalism.
🔄 7. Applying for Every Job in Every Field
You might be desperate for work, but applying for 10 different job types in the same week makes you look confused or unskilled.
❌ What this looks like:
One CV for a chef job.
Next day, same CV sent for a warehouse role.
Same week, applying for driver, security, cleaner.
Employers will wonder — “what does this person actually do?”
✅ Fix it:
Stick to your main skill set. If you really can do different things, have different CVs for each field. Don’t mix them.
Build your personal brand around your strongest 1–2 job types — not 6.
🚀 Final Tip: Show Up Like a Worker, Not a Beggar
The best CVs don’t sound desperate. They sound ready.
Be clear. Be professional. Be confident. You don’t need to exaggerate — you just need to present yourself cleanly and honestly.
Job markets abroad, especially in places like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are competitive — but not impossible. The right CV can be your passport to a better future.
