The small mistake you’re making on your CV that could be losing you jobs – but takes just seconds to fix

YOU could be making a small mistake on your CV that’s stopping you from getting your dream job. Recruitment firm Intelligent People has warned jobseekers could be missing out on roles if they don’t put their address or location on their resume. It’s especially important in roles where commute distance or hybrid working requirements matter. But, leaving off the crucial information puts you in an even worse position now because of AI. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The majority of recruitment firms now rely on AI-powered candidate search tools to identify and match candidates to roles. These systems use location data as one of their filters, especially for hybrid roles where you’re expected to work partially in an office and partially at home. Recruitment agency Intelligent People told This Is Money that removing your location can mean “jobseekers are overlooked for suitable roles”. “If your CV has no location data, you simply won’t surface in those searches – even for roles you’re perfectly qualified for,” it added. You might also slip through the net if you don’t give a specific enough location. The recruitment firm said when a hiring manager or recruiter searches for candidates within a 30-mile commute of their office, the technology will sift through applications by location. Most read in Money But if your CV simply says ‘London’ or ‘Manchester’ without a postcode or more specific area, it often fails to match because the system can’t calculate a commute distance from a city name alone. Chris Mason, co-founder of Intelligent People, said: “The full home address on a CV is effectively dead, but location absolutely isn’t. “If you remove your location completely, there’s a real risk you become invisible for roles you could be perfect for, or get contacted about jobs that simply aren’t practical.” Many people choose not to include their location for privacy reasons. However, you don’t need to include your full address on your CV as this is no longer standard practice. You could include your nearest train station or tube stop, as this helps employers assess your commute without revealing where you live. You could also give a nearby postcode if you prefer, such as a local gym or community centre. Try to avoid vague city names, especially if you’re applying for a hybrid role. You should also state your working preferences clearly – for example, you could add a line stating that you’re open to hybrid roles within 45 minutes of central London. Five job hunting tips that can help you land a role in just one month Working on your CV could be the key to nabbing your dream role Credit: Getty Boost your CV with free training You don’t have to rely on your employer or go back to school to learn new skills – you can easily upskill for FREE. LinkedIn Learning, for instance, has a library of over 21,000 free courses that can help you get one up on other jobseekers. “Take a course in an area that will support your career – it shows you are ambitious and gives you something to discuss in interviews,” says negotiation expert and award-winning author Tim Castle. If you’re interested in project management, for example, why not take the course on “Foundations of Project Management”? The Government also pays some people to take courses for free to help them find a job or get paid better. You can apply to do one of these level two or level three qualifications if you’re aged 19 or over and earn less than £25,750 or are unemployed. You can use the National Careers Service course finder to see which courses are available in your local area. Small Business Britain, Enterprise Nation, and Help to Grow also offer free training courses. Follow the ‘9 before 9’ rule It can be hard to work up the motivation to get started with your job hunt – but negotiation expert and award-winning author Tim Castle has a trick that may help. Apply to nine jobs, or contact nine people enquiring about possible vacancies, before 9am strikes. “Be first in their inbox, DMs or on the phone, even if they aren’t advertising for a specific role right now,” he says. “Whatever it takes to move from unknown to someone to meet with.” Over 50? Age-scrub your CV If you’re over 50, you may be finding it harder to land a job than your younger rivals – even if you’ve got way more experience. The average age of someone who becomes undesirable to recruiters is 55, according to research from the not-for-profit Centre for Ageing Better. If you’re finding things tough, try scrubbing all evidence of your age from your CV. So, remove your date of birth and when you attended school or university. “A CV should lead with what you can do now. Focus on recent results, current skills and the problems you solve,” says Lyndsey Simpon, founder and CEO of 55/Redefined. Have a LinkedIn makeover LinkedIn is just as important as your CV when it comes to job hunting. Over half of hiring managers look at social media sites to vet candidates, according to research from recruitment agency Robert Walters. Before you start getting serious about your search, give your LinkedIn some TLC. Make sure your profile picture is professional, list your relevant skills, and make sure your experience is up to date and matches what you put on your CV. Ace your interview When preparing for an interview make sure to thoroughly research the company to avoid looking unprepared. Nearly half of hiring managers said they are put off by applicants who lack knowledge about an organisation. Make sure you fully understand the role you have applied for and confirm that it matches your skills and experience. It’s also important to practice interviews with a friend or family member so you feel confident. You could ask AI to come up with a list of possible interview questions based on the job title and description. It’s also a good idea to prepare a few questions about the company to show you are interested. For example, you could ask about the company culture or dynamic in the team. Comment now