Why Your Resume Might Be Holding You Back
In competitive job markets especially for international students looking to convert their UK Graduate Route into a full-time role your resume is often your first (and sometimes only) impression. The problem? Many candidates make small mistakes that lead to their CV being rejected within seconds.
At Erudmite, we’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes, and we’ve spotted the same patterns repeatedly.
The Most Common Resume Mistakes
1. Too Generic
Using the same resume for every application is a major red flag. Recruiters can tell when you haven’t tailored your CV to the job description.
Fix:
Customise your resume for each role. Match keywords from the job description and focus on relevant achievements.
2. Overloading with Irrelevant Experience
Listing every part-time job you’ve ever had—even if unrelated—can dilute your profile.
Fix:
Focus on roles, projects, and achievements that connect to your target career. If you’re applying for a cybersecurity role, your retail cashier job shouldn’t take up half the page.
3. Ignoring Internships and Projects
This is a huge missed opportunity—especially for students and fresh graduates. Whenever an internship comes along—paid or unpaid—if it’s in the same sector you want to work in or the same job type you want to pursue, take it.
The more internships and relevant projects you do, the more practical experience you can showcase. These experiences often impress recruiters more than unrelated full-time jobs.
4. No Quantifiable Achievements
Writing “Responsible for managing social media” tells the recruiter very little. Numbers and results matter.
Fix:
Write “Increased social media engagement by 40% in three months” or “Managed a £10,000 marketing budget with zero overspend.” Data makes your achievements real.
5. Poor Formatting
A cluttered CV with inconsistent fonts, tiny text, and no structure is exhausting to read.
Fix:
Use a clean, professional layout. Stick to one or two fonts, add clear section headings, and keep it concise—ideally two pages for experienced professionals, one page for fresh graduates.
6. Typos and Grammar Mistakes
Nothing kills credibility faster than spelling “manger” instead of “manager.”
Fix:
Proofread your resume multiple times. Better yet, get someone else to check it for you—fresh eyes spot errors you miss.
7. Not Linking Skills to Real Work
Listing “Teamwork” or “Leadership” under “Skills” without examples is wasted space.
Fix:
Demonstrate skills in context. For example: “Led a 5-member project team to deliver a client proposal two weeks ahead of deadline.”
Erudmite’s Advice for International Students
For those studying in the UK from UAE or elsewhere, your resume is not just a piece of paper—it’s your bridge to a work permit. UK recruiters often look for:
- Relevant UK-based internships (even short ones) to prove you can adapt to local work culture.
- Sector-specific skills gained from courses like MSc Cyber Security, MBA with Luxury Branding, or MSc Information Technology.
- Evidence of growth—how you’ve improved or contributed in each role.
This is why at Erudmite, part of our one-on-one career counselling in Dubai and beyond includes CV audits, mock interview practice, and internship planning so students enter the job market fully prepared.
FAQs
1. Should I include unpaid internships on my CV?
Yes. If they’re relevant to your desired career, unpaid internships can be just as valuable as paid ones.
2. Can I use the same CV for every application?
No. Always tailor your CV to match the specific role and company you’re applying for.
3. How far back should I list my experience?
Generally, the last 10 years—or less if you’re early in your career. Focus on relevance, not just chronology.
4. Do UK employers care about part-time jobs?
Only if they’re relevant or demonstrate transferable skills (e.g., customer service, leadership, organisation).
5. What if I don’t have much experience?
Leverage academic projects, volunteer work, and internships. Your CV should still showcase initiative and capability.
