Crafting a standout CV remains crucial for Nigerian job hunters amid rising competition in sectors like tech, oil & gas, and digital marketing. Yet, many applicants unknowingly sabotage their chances with avoidable errors that recruiters spot instantly. Drawing from trends in Port Harcourt’s job market and insights from platforms like JobsForYou.com.ng, this guide highlights seven pitfalls and practical fixes to land more interviews.
Mistake 1: Generic Templates Without Customization
Job seekers grab free CV templates from generic sites, submitting identical formats for every role—from banking to tech startups. Recruiters notice the lack of tailoring, especially when keywords from the job description are missing, causing ATS rejection.
Fix: Scan the job ad for key phrases like “SEO optimization” or “project management” and weave them into your skills section. At JobsForYou.com.ng, our CV writing service customizes resumes to match specific Nigerian job postings, boosting your match rate by 40%.
Mistake 2: Spelling Errors and Poor Grammar
Typos like “manger” instead of “manager” or awkward phrasing signal carelessness, even to busy Port Harcourt recruiters scanning 50+ CVs daily. In Nigeria’s formal job market, polished language separates candidates.
Fix: Proofread three times or use tools like Grammarly, then get a second pair of eyes. JobsForYou.com.ng’s professional CV writers ensure error-free documents tailored for local employers, saving you embarrassment.
Mistake 3: Listing Duties Instead of Achievements
Phrases like “Responsible for sales targets” bore recruiters who want impact. Without numbers—e.g., “Increased sales by 25%”—your CV blends into the pile.
Fix: Quantify wins: “Led team to ₦5M quarterly revenue, up 30%.” Need help? JobsForYou.com.ng transforms vague duties into compelling achievements through our expert CV packages.
Mistake 4: Irrelevant or Outdated Information
Including high school details at age 30 or ancient internships clogs your CV. Nigerian recruiters prioritize recent, relevant experience amid fast-evolving markets like fintech.
Fix: Limit to the last 10-15 years; cut fluff. For fresh grads, highlight projects. JobsForYou.com.ng streamlines your CV to focus on what matters, making it ATS-ready for 2026 roles.
Mistake 5: Unprofessional Email Addresses
Emails like “sexyboy2020@gmail.com” scream unprofessionalism, landing CVs in trash bins faster than you think.
Fix: Create a clean address like firstname.lastname@gmail.com. When applying via JobsForYou.com.ng, our career services team sets you up with professional profiles from day one.
Mistake 6: No Keywords for ATS Systems
Global firms and Nigerian banks use Applicant Tracking Systems that filter out CVs missing exact terms like “data analysis” or “customer acquisition.”
Fix: Mirror job description language naturally. JobsForYou.com.ng’s CV optimization service embeds ATS-beating keywords, helping thousands secure interviews on our job board.
Mistake 7: Poor Formatting and Readability
Dense paragraphs, tiny fonts, or clashing colors overwhelm on mobile screens, where 70% of Nigerian job searches happen.
Fix: Use clean layouts with bold headings, bullet points, and 1-2 pages max. Test on phone. Elevate yours with JobsForYou.com.ng’s premium CV designs—professional, mobile-optimized, and recruiter-approved.
Avoid these traps to transform your CV from overlooked to interview magnet. Ready to fix yours? Head to JobsForYou.com.ng/career-services for affordable CV writing that delivers results in Nigeria’s competitive job scene. Share your biggest CV struggle in the comments!
