Recruiters don't just scan CVs for skills—they’re also watching for red flags: exaggerations, inconsistencies, signs of trouble. That’s why even well-educated, experienced candidates sometimes get overlooked. Between the lines, their CV might be signaling something unintended—maybe they come off as arrogant, difficult, or burned out. It’s subtle, but it matters.
In this pointer, I want to focus on one of the most common signals: the “it’s all about me” CV
Are CVs supposed to be autobiographies?
You might be thinking:
“Isn’t a CV just a professional biography? A rundown of everything I’ve done? Shouldn’t I list all my past achievements in order?”
That’s a tempting approach—we all enjoy talking about ourselves. But here's the truth: most people don’t enjoy reading about strangers talking about themselves. And that includes hiring managers.
Flip the focus: past into future
Especially in cover letters or introductory emails, you have space to shift focus to the future. But even in your CV, you can reframe past experience in a way that speaks to what you can do for them.
Do some homework on the company. Where are they headed? Do they want to expand internationally? Optimize operations? Build a stronger team? Cut down on costs? When you understand what they care about, you can align your experience with how you’ll help them move forward.
In a nutshell:
Don’t tell them what makes you special—tell them how you’ll make them better.
Let’s look at some examples:
Ask yourself: what kind of statement is more likely to get a positive response?
🧮 Math Tutor
Self-centered: I taught for 3 years as a private math teacher, dealing with all types of students.
Value-focused: I’ll send weekly progress reports and provide detailed feedback after each session so your child stays on track.
💻 Entry-Level Programmer
Self-centered: I started coding as a teenager and quickly outpaced my peers.
Value-focused: I’m ready to take ownership of small features from day one, contribute clean code, and continuously improve through feedback.
👩👧👦 Re-entering after parenting
Self-centered: Managed a family of four, multitasking and building emotional resilience.
Value-focused: I’ll keep projects on schedule, communicate clearly, and ensure clients feel heard and supported.
📊 Project Manager
Self-centered: Enthusiastic professional experienced in sales and marketing. Graduated from a top university.
Value-focused: I’ll implement clear visual workflows and ensure the team gets regular feedback loops to stay aligned and motivated.
That’s it for today!
Questions, suggestions, counterpoints—especially more examples—are always welcome. Even negative feedback helps make the next one better.
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