Career potholes: How to explain gaps in your CV

From time to time, you might find yourself out of work. When this happens, it’s important to address longer periods of unemployment in your CV. Employers don’t like to see gaps in your employment without an explanation.

So check out our guide (and examples) to explaining gaps in your CV in an interview.

When do you need to address a gap in your CV?

Not all gaps in employment need an explanation. As a rule of thumb, if you’re unemployed for less than 3 months, you shouldn’t need an explanation. It’s quite common for people to be unemployed for 1-3 months in between jobs. But if you out of work for longer than 3 months, you should probably explain why on your CV.

Tips for explaining gaps in employment

Include your gaps in your CV

When you’ve had a gap in employment longer than 3 months, include this in your CV. If you don’t explain it, employers will be left with lots of questions. And they may reject your CV because of this. Instead, write the dates of your unemployment, and provide a short sentence to explain the reason. This will help employers understand the gap and progress your application.

Be honest

We’re all human. And employers appreciate honesty. They can often tell when you’re not being honest. So always be upfront about your reasons for unemployment. It’s the honesty that counts.

Put a positive spin on it

A gap in employment doesn’t have to be negative. It could actually be really positive. Perhaps it gave you clarity about your next step. Or maybe it gave you time to upskill. Either way, think of all the ways you can show employers the benefits you received from your time out of work.

6 examples of how to explain a gap in your CV

Travel

How to explain in your CV

“I took 6 months off work to travel around Central Asia.”

How to explain in an interview

“I went traveling for 6 months on my own around Central Asia. It was a really enriching experience and gave me a lot of life skills. It exposed me to other people’s way of living, which is priceless.”

Carer responsibilities

How to explain in your CV

“Full-time carer for a family member.”

How to explain in an interview

“Unfortunately, a member of my family was sick and required full-time care. I did my best to maintain my skills during this time by completing a course on Data Analysis. I would also attend monthly webinars to learn about the latest software and industry news. So although I wasn’t technically working in the industry, I still kept my finger on the pulse.”

Sickness

How to explain in your CV

“Following the doctor’s orders, I was granted 4 months off to recover from a medical condition.”

How to explain in an interview

“I was dealing with a medical condition whilst working. But the condition only worsened. And so, after consulting with the doctor, he decided to put me on sick leave to aid my recovery.

Although I rested a lot during this time, I also made an effort to maintain my knowledge and skills and keep up with industry news. I knew that I’d return to work as soon as I felt healthy, so I didn’t want to fall behind too much.”

Looking for work

How to explain in your CV

“During these 4 months of unemployment, I was job hunting and attending regular interviews.”

How to explain in an interview

“I was fortunate enough to be able to take4 months of unemployment in between jobs. I really wanted to focus on finding the right role rather than jumping into any old job. I want to make sure my next career move is one for the long-term.”

Raising children

How to explain in your CV

“2 year career break for parenting responsibilities for my newborn.”

How to explain in an interview

“I have had 2 years off to raise my child. It’s been a great experience but I’m now ready to return to the working world.

I have built a portfolio and gained several skills and qualifications during my time in unemployment. For example, I recently completed an online course in safeguarding.”

Study

How to explain in your CV

“I took 12 months out of work to dedicate to my studies. I completed an IT qualification and hope to pursue a career in this field.”

How to explain in an interview

“I spent the last 12 months studying for my IT qualification. I wanted to dedicate everything to my studies so I decided not to work.

It has paid off and I feel really confident in the knowledge and skills that I’ve learned in the last year. I’m now ready to put these skills to work for the right company.”

Ready for work?! Find a job fast with SonicJobs today!

Related blogs

Job-hunting stress? Fast-track your job hunt with SonicJobs

Building a personal brand: the key to landing your dream job

Long-term unemployed? How to get back into work

Finding a new job is hard enough for any job seeker. But when you’ve been out of work for a long time, the job hunt gets harder. That’s because employers don’t like unemployment. If you’ve been unemployed for longer than 3 months, you may struggle to get back on the career ladder.

But don’t freak out!

Finding a job after you’ve been unemployed for a while has its challenges. But plenty of people do it! You just need a few tricks up your sleeve.

So check out our tips for getting back into work after you’ve been long-term unemployed.

Reasons for being long-term unemployed

There are lots of reasons for long-term unemployment. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

  • Travel: lots of people take time out from work to travel. This could be on a gap year or on a sabbatical.
  • Career change: if you’ve changed industry or profession, you may have taken time out to study and upskill. It can be difficult to land that first role in your chosen field. 
  • Sickness: physical and mental illnesses are valid reasons to have been out of work for a long time. 
  • Carer responsibilities: when family members fall sick, sometimes we have to become their carers. This is a common reason for long-term unemployment
  • Raising your family: many parents take time out from their career to raise their children during their early years.
  • Being laid off: if you’ve been laid off or made redundant, it’s often unexpected. So it’s perfectly reasonable to have a gap in your employment while you find your feet.

8 ways to find work after long-term unemployment

Update your resume

The first step in getting back into employment is to update your resume. Yes, your resume may not have loads on it. But it’s important to update it anyway. Be sure to explain any gaps in your employment. Be honest here. If you have taken 2 years out to care for your children, write that in your resume.

Volunteer

If you’ve been unemployed for a while, your resume will be a little bare! And that doesn’t give a strong first impression. So try to find some volunteer work to get you back into the professional world. Don’t focus on finding the perfect volunteer job. Just focus on finding some volunteer work where you can learn new skills. This will show employers you’ve been proactive in getting yourself back on the career ladder.

Upskill

One of the downsides to being unemployed is that you won’t have learnt any new skills at work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn new skills OUT of work. Enroll onto some free online courses to upskill. This will brighten up your resume and make you look more attractive to employers.

Contact your old employer

When job hunting, you’ll need all the help you can get. Contact your old employer to see if they’ll be happy to provide a reference. They may be willing to write a reference straight away. If this is the case, you can attach the reference to any jobs you apply for!

Write a cover letter

Cover letters are a great way to boost your job applications. You can add extra detail and really show your passion in a cover letter. When applying for jobs after long-term unemployment, we recommend writing a cover letter!

Network

Networking is a great way to boost your professional profile. Attend events and webinars to get your name out there. As people get to know you, you’ll grow your network and attract more opportunities.

Build a personal brand

It’s not enough just to send a resume these days. To really stand out, you need to build your personal brand. This is your professional image beyond your resume. With a strong personal brand, you’ll show employers the value you have to offer BEFORE you start the job.

Don’t be too picky

After you’ve been unemployed for a long time, it’s important not to be too picky. You might have to take a ‘stepping stone job’. This is a job that helps you get your foot back in the door. It’s not your dream job, but it’s a start.

Ready to get back on the career ladder? Find a job fast with SonicJobs!

Long-term unemployed? How to get back into work

Finding a new job is hard enough for any job seeker. But when you’ve been out of work for a long time, the job hunt gets harder. That’s because employers don’t like unemployment. If you’ve been unemployed for longer than 3 months, you may struggle to get back on the career ladder.

But don’t freak out!

Finding a job after you’ve been unemployed for a while has its challenges. But plenty of people do it! You just need a few tricks up your sleeve.

So check out our tips for getting back into work after you’ve been long-term unemployed.

Reasons for being long-term unemployed

There are lots of reasons for long-term unemployment. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

  • Travel: lots of people take time out from work to travel. This could be on a gap year or on a sabbatical.
  • Career change: if you’ve changed industry or profession, you may have taken time out to study and upskill. It can be difficult to land that first role in your chosen field. 
  • Sickness: physical and mental illnesses are valid reasons to have been out of work for a long time. 
  • Carer responsibilities: when family members fall sick, sometimes we have to become their carers. This is a common reason for long-term unemployment
  • Raising your family: many parents take time out from their career to raise their children during their early years.
  • Being laid off: if you’ve been laid off or made redundant, it’s often unexpected. So it’s perfectly reasonable to have a gap in your employment while you find your feet.

8 ways to find work after long-term unemployment

Update your CV

The first step in getting back into employment is to update your CV. Yes, your CV may not have loads on it. But it’s important to update it anyway. Be sure to explain any gaps in your employment. Be honest here. If you have taken 2 years out to care for your children, write that in your CV.

Volunteer

If you’ve been unemployed for a while, your CV will be a little bare! And that doesn’t give a strong first impression. So try to find some volunteer work to get you back into the professional world. Don’t focus on finding the perfect volunteer job. Just focus on finding some volunteer work where you can learn new skills. This will show employers you’ve been proactive in getting yourself back on the career ladder.

Upskill

One of the downsides to being unemployed is that you won’t have learnt any new skills at work. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn new skills OUT of work. Enroll onto some free online courses to upskill. This will brighten up your CV and make you look more attractive to employers.

Contact your old employer

When job hunting, you’ll need all the help you can get. Contact your old employer to see if they’ll be happy to provide a reference. They may be willing to write a reference straight away. If this is the case, you can attach the reference to any jobs you apply for!

Write a cover letter

Cover letters are a great way to boost your job applications. You can add extra detail and really show your passion in a cover letter. When applying for jobs after long-term unemployment, we recommend writing a cover letter!

Network

Networking is a great way to boost your professional profile. Attend events and webinars to get your name out there. As people get to know you, you’ll grow your network and attract more opportunities.

Build a personal brand

It’s not enough just to send a CV these days. To really stand out, you need to build your personal brand. This is your professional image beyond your CV. With a strong personal brand, you’ll show employers the value you have to offer BEFORE you start the job.

Don’t be too picky

After you’ve been unemployed for a long time, it’s important not to be too picky. You might have to take a ‘stepping stone job’. This is a job that helps you get your foot back in the door. It’s not your dream job, but it’s a start.

Ready to get back on the career ladder? Find a job fast with SonicJobs!

Diversity and inclusion: how to talk about it in an interview

Anyone living in the 21st century has heard the term ‘diversity and inclusion’. But not everyone understands what it means. But employers really value candidates who understand diversity and inclusion. So if you’re looking for a new job, it’s time to learn a little bit about it. This will help you stand out as a candidate.

What does diversity and inclusion mean?

Diversity and inclusion is a principle that focuses on equality in the workplace. It aims to stop exclusion and favouritism based on factors like religion, race, gender, disability and sexuality. The idea is to give equal opportunities to underrepresented people or minority groups.

3 ways to talk about diversity and inclusion in an interview

You might not be asked about diversity and inclusion directly in an interview. But it’s still a good idea to include it in your interview answers.

Here are a few ways you can mention diversity and inclusion in your interview answers.

Teamwork

When asked about teamwork, talk about wanting to create an inclusive team. Some people don’t integrate well into teams. They get drowned out and fade into the background. Talk about how you try to include people who are marginalised.

Example question

“Give me an example of how you work as part of a team.”

Sample answer

“One of the things I pride myself on is being able to create a unified team. Often, there will be team members that fall to the wayside or get pushed aside. But I make a point of creating an inclusive team and elevating the voices of people who struggle to be heard. This is really important especially when the team has people from marginalised communities.”

Conflict 

Conflict will always arise in the workplace. That’s why employers like to ask about this. Conflict can be linked to diversity and inclusion. It’s about being sensitive to other people’s differences. Employees need to understand that people come from different backgrounds. As an employee, it’s important to be respectful of other people’s way of being. 

Example question

“How would you deal with conflict at work?”

Sample answer

“Whenever there’s conflict, there’s always a difference of opinion. As a team member, you have to be sensitive and respectful of other people’s viewpoints. Conflict can arise because of cultural, political and social differences. But I think the main thing is to deal with conflict straight away, and let people know that their voice is heard. ”

Leadership

If you’re asked about leadership, be sure to talk about diversity and inclusion. Leaders always keep an eye on the group as a whole, and make sure everyone has a voice. As a leader, you also speak up for what’s right, especially if you see signs of discrimination.

Example question

“Tell us about a time where you demonstrated leadership at work.”

Sample answer

“Leadership comes in many different forms. It can be leading a team. Inspiring others. Or simply sticking up for what’s right. There was a time when I overheard two team members making racial slurs. I immediately told them there was no place for that kind of language or attitude in our workplace. Both team members appeared embarrassed and apologised straight away. I believe they changed their behaviour from that point forward.”

Diversity and inclusion for the win

Diversity and inclusion is a hot topic of conversation for any employer. You may be asked direct questions about diversity and inclusion. But if you’re not, try to incorporate this topic into your interview answers. It will show maturity and win you bonus points in the interview process!

Want a fresh start? Join thousands of job seekers finding jobs on the SonicJobs app!

Check out our other blogs

Questions to ask the interviewer

How to assess a company’s culture BEFORE accepting a job

How to redeem yourself after making a big mistake at work

The golden question: Should you leave your job for more money?

With today’s cost of living crisis, a pay rise doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Many people leave their jobs for better paid opportunities. But does more pay equal job satisfaction? Not always!

If you’ve been offered another job with more money, ask yourself these questions…

5 questions to ask yourself if you’re offered a higher paid job

Are you happy in your current job?

Ask yourself if you’re happy in your job? Sure, a higher salary would make anyone happier. But if money were no issue, would you still want to leave your job? Are you interested in your industry or does it bore you? Do you like the team dynamic and the company culture? These are all important factors to consider when you’re offered a job with better money.

If you’re happy in your role, think twice before you jump ships. All the things you love about your job could disappear in the new company. Would it still be worth the pay rise then?

Are there opportunities for you to progress?

A great way to get a pay rise is to get promoted. Are there opportunities for progression in your current company? Or have you hit the ceiling for your role? Do you have to wait several years for someone to retire before you can get promoted? Or will you get promoted regardless of how many other senior members of staff are there?

If you think you’ve hit the ceiling in your current company, then you might struggle to get a pay rise any time soon. It could be worth changing jobs. But before you accept the role, check out the new company’s progression opportunities!

Have you asked your employer for a raise?

Most people don’t think to ask their current boss for a pay rise before accepting their new role. If you’re happy in your job, set a meeting with your manager to negotiate a pay rise. Talk to them about the potential of getting a pay rise.

Before you go into your meeting, make sure you research the market rate. And remember to prepare a list of your achievements. Use this to justify why you’re asking for a raise.

Would the commute be better in the new job?

Your commute to work can really affect your work-life balance. So by accepting a higher-paid job that’s further away, you run the risk of effecting your work-life balance. You also need to think about the cost of your commute. Will the pay rise outweigh the cost of the commute?

Is the new salary suspiciously high?

Does the new salary sound too good to be true? Is it way above the market rate? If it is, it’s time to do some digging. Why does the company need to pay above the market rate? Are they struggling to retain staff? These are questions to ask the employer before accepting the job.

To accept, or not to accept

If you’re offered a higher paid job, it could be a fantastic opportunity. But don’t assume more money is always best. There are other factors to consider. Yes, more money is great! But don’t forget to consider the other parts of your job that are just as important.

Is it time for you to progress your career? Check out the latest jobs on the SonicJobs app – new jobs are added everyday!

Fading into the background? How to boost your influence at work

Being influential at work can give your career a serious boost. Employers are always wanting to snap up their next influential leader. They don’t want leaders who fade into the background. 

But what do you do if you DON’T feel influential? What if you feel like your voice always gets drowned out? Or people don’t listen to you?

Is it possible to learn to be influential?

Absolutely.

You can train yourself to become more influential. You may have to step outside of your comfort zone. But it will be worth it in the end.

Here are 6 ways you can build your influence at work:

  • Build relationships
  • Be vocal
  • Don’t tell, suggest
  • Act with integrity
  • Network
  • Use open body language

6 ways to build influence in the workplace

1. Build relationships

You can’t expect to influence people if you don’t have a relationship with them. The first step in becoming a powerful influencer at work is to build genuine relationships with your colleagues. Take an interest in them. Actively listen to them.

2. Be vocal

To be influential at work, you need your voice to be heard. When you have new ideas, share them with the group. In meetings, don’t be the silent watcher in the back row. Get involved and become an active participant. Over time, you’ll soon be recognised as a valuable voice that people listen to. 

3. Don’t tell, suggest

People don’t like to take orders from others. The most powerful influencers don’t give out orders. They suggest ideas instead. Here are a few examples of how you can change your language to be more persuasive:

Instead of:

“Please can you start filing the documents in alphabetical order?”

Try:

“It must take a long time to sort through those files. Do you think it would save you time if you filed the documents in alphabetical order?”

Instead of:

“You’re forgetting really important tasks.”

Try:

“I know how hard it can be to remember things when you’re so busy. Have you thought about setting reminders?”

4. Act with integrity

There’s nothing quite like building relationships through integrity. When you act with integrity, people trust you. They know they can rely on you for accurate information. They value what you have to say. So always act honourably to set yourself apart as an influencer. Always remain professional, especially during workplace socials.

5. Network

Networking is a great way to build your influence. Build relationships with people in different departments and members of management. This will expand your network and increase your influencing power. It’s not always what you know, but who you know.

Use open body language

Your body language speaks louder than your words. So get in the habit of using open body language, smiling more, and making eye contact. These are all subconscious ways you can build trust with the people around you. It takes a little practise. But over time, you’ll become more natural with it. 

Example of open body language:

  • Uncrossing your arms
  • Keep your arms on the table
  • Not covering your face with your hands
  • Mirroring others’ body language

A new way of being

When you step up your influence game, it can feel kinda strange at first. But after a while, these new behaviours become second nature. And before you know it, you’ve grown into the influential leader you’ve always wanted to be! Just remember, it doesn’t come naturally to most folks. So don’t get disheartened if it feels out of your comfort zone.

Ready to find a new job? Use the SonicJobs app to find a job in record time!

Check out our other blog posts!

How to handle difficult workplace situations

Building a personal brand: the key to landing your dream job

Fast-track your job search with SonicJobs

Hate competition? Here are 8 jobs you’ll love

Are you one of those people that hates competing? Does the thought of a competition make you want to run away? We hear ya! If you’re not a competitive person, that’s okay! But just beware that some jobs won’t suit you. Lots of jobs need you to be competitive…especially sales jobs.

But there are plenty of jobs out there that aren’t competitive. And it’s important you find a career that gives you job satisfaction.

Check out our top pick of non-competitive jobs.

Top careers for non-competitive personality types

Admin

Jobs in administration are perfect for non-competitive people. Admin jobs couldn’t be any further from sales. It’s all about following processes and attention to detail. In an admin role, your duties will be processing data, filing, and ensuring the back-office is running smoothly.

HR

Hr is a great career route for non-competitive personalities. It involves following processes. HR professionals deal with things like disciplinaries, recruitment, and employee records. In short, they manage the employee lifecycle from recruitment to exit interviews.

Librarian

Working in a library is a great job if you want to avoid competition. Librarians ensure the library runs smoothly. Duties include shelving books, dealing with member queries and updating the database. 

Vet

There’s nothing competitive about being a vet. Vets have a duty of care to look out for the best interests of animals. Yes, it can be a high-stress job and extremely busy. But it’s the kind of stress you won’t mind if you’re an animal lover!

Data analyst

Data analysts don’t compete. They analyse! Data analysts are constantly collating and reviewing data and statistics to produce reports and insights. It’s a great role if you enjoy numbers and graphs! 

Software developer

Software development is a great career route for analytical people. There’s no competition involved. Instead, you’ll need to collaborate with others to complete your project. It’s all about teamwork. Software developers are in high demand, so you’ll have no shortage of work!

Massage therapist

As a massage therapist, you treat muscles, joints and injuries using massage techniques. It’s a great role if you enjoy working with people. One of the biggest roles of a massage therapist is making their clients comfortable. So you need to be a people person!

Cashier

Being a cashier is a fairly low-stress job, and it involves no competition. You get to interact with customers all day. So you need to enjoy being around people and have excellent customer service skills.

What is the best job for competitive personalities?

The best job for competitive people is in sales. Sales is the most competitive industry. You have targets to hit, and your mission is to outdo your competition. Sales roles are heavily based around revenue targets. It’s your job to ensure you hit those targets. So you need to thrive on competition. If you don’t hit your targets, you may risk your job!

There’s no right or wrong

If you’re not a competitive person, don’t feel like you should be! You can be successful in ANY job. Everyone has different personality types. And we can’t all fit into the same box. So it’s important to embrace your strengths and set yourself up for success by finding a job that’s right for your personality!

Is it time for a new job? Find a job fast with the SonicJobs app

Check out our other blogs:

5 essentials for passing ANY interview

Forget quiet quitting! Transform your job with “quiet thriving”

8 practical mental health tips while job hunting

Made a BIG mistake at work? Here’s how to redeem yourself

There may come a time in your career where you make a huge mistake at work. Or maybe you make a collection of small mistakes. Either way, you’ve got your reputation to think about. And you need to set things right. If you don’t, you might miss out on progression opportunities or even lose your job.

But don’t worry. You’re not the first employee to fail at work. And you won’t be the last.

What’s important is that you get yourself on the right path to redeem yourself.

  • Hold yourself accountable
  • Apologise to your manager
  • Come up with solutions
  • Don’t dwell on it
  • Show that you’ve learnt from it

What to do when you make a mistake at work

Hold yourself accountable

Accepting responsibility is the first step in redeeming yourself from your mistake. The last thing you want to do is pass the buck or serve your manager with a load of excuses. The most respectable thing to do is to be accountable.

Your manager will respect you more for taking responsibility. But when you try to pass the blame, you’ll only dig yourself a deeper hole!

Apologise to your manager

After you make a mistake at work, make sure you have a conversation with your manager. Don’t wait for your manager to call you into a meeting. Set one up yourself. During this meeting, apologise for the situation. You don’t need to overdo it with a huge speech. All you need is a sincere moment just to say ‘I’m sorry this happened’. A short apology goes a long way!

Come up with solutions

So you created a problem. But you can create a solution too. Don’t just leave it to your manager to rectify your situation. Show them you genuinely care by finding a way to put it right. This will help you to get back into your manager’s good books!

Don’t dwell on it

Yes, you made a mistake. But don’t beat yourself up. If you obsess over your mistakes, you’ll only hold yourself back. You need to rise back stronger and show everything you have to offer.

Everyone makes mistakes. You can’t live in the past. Accept that it happened. Realise everyone slips up from time to time. And move on.

Show that you’ve learnt from it

Accepting responsibility is good. Apologising to your manager is good. But what’s great are the changes you make moving forwards. Actions speak louder than words. And actions will rebuild the trust between you and your manager. So make sure you show up to your role in a whole new way and don’t make the same mistakes again!

Can you recover from all mistakes at work?

Sometimes, your mistake might be so big that it results in a dismissal. Unfortunately, if you break the terms of your employment contract or compromise the company, you could lose your job. If you think your boss is going to sack you, ask them if you’re able to leave the company instead. This way, it won’t reflect poorly when prospective employers ask for a job reference.

No regrets, just lessons learned

Mistakes have the power to make us… or break us. We can use each mistake to create a better version of ourselves. Or we can let a mistake send us on a downward spiral. Just remember that mistakes are a part of life. And even your manager has made mistakes. So don’t beat yourself up. Find the willpower to grow from your mistakes.

Looking for a new job? SonicJobs will find you one fast. Apply for jobs with 1 tap inside our app!

Check out our other blogs

How to assess company culture BEFORE accepting a job

Transform your job with ‘quiet thriving’

Job seeker’s toolkit: Unlocking 8 insider facts for job hunt success

When it comes to job hunting, knowledge is power. There’s a lot of competition out there. So it helps to know what you’re up against. 

Use these job hunting facts to help land your new role!

  • Recruiters judge your resume in 6-8 seconds
  • 61.7% of job seekers get at least 1 interview after sending 1-10 applications
  • There are roughly 250 applications per job opening
  • 51% of job seekers receive a job offer after 3 interviews
  • 80% of resumes don’t get shortlisted by recruiters
  • 84% of companies use social media to find candidates
  • 50% of resumes are rejected because they’re longer than 2 pages
  • It takes an average of 2 months to land a job

8 game-changing facts for job seekers

Recruiters judge your resume in 6-8 seconds

You’d like to think recruiters and hiring managers spend hours pondering over your resume. But they don’t. In fact, they only spend roughly 6-8 seconds reading your resume. After that, they’ll either reject your resume or read on.

61.7% of job seekers get at least 1 interview after sending 1-10 applications

Getting an interview isn’t as hard as you might think. That’s why it’s good to start your interview prep BEFORE you’re offered an interview. It may come around quicker than you expected!

There are roughly 250 applications per job opening

Every job opening receives roughly 250 applications. So you need to make sure you tailor your resume to make it stand out. In other words, if you’re applying for cleaning jobs AND restaurant jobs, don’t use the same resume. Have two different resumes that highlight key skills for each job.

51% of job seekers receive a job offer after 3 interviews

If you attend 3 interviews, you have over 50% chance of getting a job offer! That’s pretty good going. It’s important to remember that job hunting is a numbers game. And rejection is part of that. Don’t take it personally. Just think of each rejection as one step closer to finding your job offer.

80% of resumes don’t get shortlisted by recruiters

80%. That’s a really high number. Here are some common resume mistakes:

  • Spelling errors
  • No relevant experience
  • Your resume is too long
  • The resume isn’t presented well

84% of companies use social media to find candidates

Social media is a part of the job hunting process. So make sure your social media pages are clean and won’t damage your professional image. You can also create a LinkedIn profile if you’re serious about climbing the ladder.

50% of resumes are rejected because they’re longer than 2 pages

When it comes to your resume, size matters. Hiring managers don’t have hours to look through your resume. 2 pages is the ideal length for a resume. If it’s any longer, hiring managers will move on to the next resume.

It takes an average of 2 months to land a job

Don’t expect to land a new job overnight. It takes time. Even if it takes you longer than 2 months, remember that this is normal. But using SonicJobs is a great way to find a job faster! Our app allows you to apply for every job with just 1 tap. And using our Smart Apply feature means we’ll apply for jobs FOR you!

Knowledge is power

As a job seeker, you need to arm yourself with the right knowledge. Understanding resume evaluation, leveraging social media, and embracing patience are key to your job hunt. Although it can be difficult, don’t give up! Your next break is right around the corner!

Job seeker’s toolkit: Unlocking 8 insider facts for job hunt success

When it comes to job hunting, knowledge is power. There’s a lot of competition out there. So it helps to know what you’re up against. 

Use these job hunting facts to help land your new role!

  • Recruiters judge your CV in 6-8 seconds
  • 61.7% of job seekers get at least 1 interview after sending 1-10 applications
  • There are roughly 250 applications per job opening
  • 51% of job seekers receive a job offer after 3 interviews
  • 80% of CVs don’t get shortlisted by recruiters
  • 84% of companies use social media to find candidates
  • 50% of CVs are rejected because they’re longer than 2 pages
  • It takes an average of 2 months to land a job

8 game-changing facts for job seekers

1. Recruiters judge your CV in 6-8 seconds

You’d like to think recruiters and hiring managers spend hours pondering over your CV. But they don’t. In fact, they only spend roughly 6-8 seconds reading your CV. After that, they’ll either reject your CV or read on.

2. 61.7% of job seekers get at least 1 interview after sending 1-10 applications

Getting an interview isn’t as hard as you might think. That’s why it’s good to start your interview prep BEFORE you’re offered an interview. It may come around quicker than you expected!

3. There are roughly 250 applications per job opening

Every job opening receives roughly 250 applications. So you need to make sure you tailor your CV to make it stand out. In other words, if you’re applying for cleaning jobs AND restaurant jobs, don’t use the same CV. Have two different CVs that highlight key skills for each job.

4. 51% of job seekers receive a job offer after 3 interviews

If you attend 3 interviews, you have over 50% chance of getting a job offer! That’s pretty good going. It’s important to remember that job hunting is a numbers game. And rejection is part of that. Don’t take it personally. Just think of each rejection as one step closer to finding your job offer.

5. 80% of CVs don’t get shortlisted by recruiters

80%. That’s a really high number. Here are some common CV mistakes:

  • Spelling errors
  • No relevant experience
  • Your CV is too long
  • The CV isn’t presented well

6. 84% of companies use social media to find candidates

Social media is a part of the job hunting process. So make sure your social media pages are clean and won’t damage your professional image. You can also create a LinkedIn profile if you’re serious about climbing the ladder.

7. 50% of CVs are rejected because they’re longer than 2 pages

When it comes to your CV, size matters. Hiring managers don’t have hours to look through your resume. 2 pages is the ideal length for a CV. If it’s any longer, hiring managers will move on to the next CV.

8. It takes an average of 2 months to land a job

Don’t expect to land a new job overnight. It takes time. Even if it takes you longer than 2 months, remember that this is normal. But using SonicJobs is a great way to find a job faster! Our app allows you to apply for every job with just 1 tap. And using our Smart Apply feature means we’ll apply for jobs FOR you!

Knowledge is power

As a job seeker, you need to arm yourself with the right knowledge. Understanding CV evaluation, leveraging social media, and embracing patience are key to your job hunt. Although it can be difficult, don’t give up! Your next break is right around the corner!