In a recent LinkedIn post, veteran recruiter Shulin Lee highlights common yet critical mistakes that can sabotage a candidate’s job prospects, even when they possess the right qualifications. Lee, with over 15 years of experience in recruiting, argues that many brilliant individuals fail to secure interviews not due to a lack of skill, but because their Curriculum Vitae (CV) inadvertently works against them.
The Hidden Pitfalls of a Poorly Crafted CV
Shulin Lee points out that a significant number of candidates overlook fundamental aspects of CV construction, leading to their applications being dismissed before even being thoroughly reviewed. According to Lee, the sheer volume of applications recruiters handle means that brevity and clarity are paramount.
“5-page novels. We skim. Keep it to 2-3 pages.”
This emphasis on conciseness is a recurring theme in Lee’s advice. The post details several key areas where candidates often falter, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all approach to CVs is a major detriment.
Tailoring and Quantifying Achievements
A critical piece of advice from Shulin Lee is the necessity of customizing each CV for the specific role being applied for. Generic applications are unlikely to impress hiring managers.
Furthermore, Lee stresses the importance of showcasing accomplishments rather than just listing responsibilities. The distinction is crucial, as merely stating duties offers little insight into a candidate’s impact or effectiveness.
“Listing duties, not wins. ‘Managed a team’ means nothing.”
To counter this, Shulin Lee advocates for using strong action verbs and providing quantifiable results. Numbers and data add weight to claims and make a candidate’s contributions more tangible and memorable. Vague statements, conversely, are easily forgotten.
Avoiding Common Language and Formatting Errors
Lee also advises against the overuse of jargon and buzzwords, which can often dilute the message and appear unprofessional. Phrases like “synergistic team player” are flagged as particularly unhelpful.
“Buzzwords galore. ‘Synergistic team player’… just stop.”
Another point raised by Shulin Lee concerns unexplained employment gaps. While often a sensitive topic, Lee suggests that addressing these proactively and honestly on the CV can prevent recruiters from making negative assumptions.
Ultimately, Shulin Lee’s message is one of empathy and practicality. The core advice is to make the CV as easy as possible for the hiring manager or recruiter to read and understand, thereby increasing the chances of landing an interview.
As Lee concludes in the post, the goal is simple: “Make it easy for the person reading your CV.” This straightforward approach, backed by years of recruiting experience, offers valuable guidance for anyone navigating the competitive job market.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 12, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →