Why you shouldn’t send the same CV over and over again

Your CV is often the first impression you make. It’s the document that speaks on your behalf before you ever walk into an interview. 

Yet many job seekers fall into the trap of firing off the same CV to every vacancy, hoping something will stick, but it’s likely that you will come unstuck, as it’s the fastest way to end up on the reject pile. 

Employers will reject a generic application that doesn’t resonate with the role that you have applied for. 

Here’s why reusing the same CV will work against you, and why tailoring it can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview.

1. Every job has different priorities

No two roles are exactly the same, not even if the job is. Companies want specific skills, experience, and personal qualities that match their business culture and needs.

A standard CV might showcase your general background, but it won’t align closely enough with what each employer is actually asking for. 

Tailoring your CV lets you emphasise the right strengths for each position, so the hiring manager is more likely to see you’re a good fit.

2. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) demand relevance

Most employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to sort and filter CVs before a human even sees them. These systems search for specific keywords from the job description.

A generic CV often misses those keywords, meaning it can be filtered out.

When you tailor your CV, you naturally incorporate relevant terms, giving you a much better chance of getting past the ATS and landing in front of an actual recruiter.

3. Tailoring shows motivation and professionalism

Recruiters and hiring managers receive dozens, and sometimes hundreds of CVs for a single vacancy and many are just copied and pasted.

But when your CV is clearly customised for the role, it demonstrates a parity that resonates with the hires, it speaks their language and is more likely to end up on the interview pile.

4. You highlight the important stuff

Your career history might contain lots of achievements, successfully completed projects, and a great education, but not all of them will matter if the role does not call for it.

A tailored CV allows you to:

• prioritise the most relevant achievements
• adjust your professional summary
• shift the emphasis of your experience
• include role-specific examples

This results in a document that correlates with the hirer's expectations, increasing your chances of ending up on the yes pile.

5. It helps you compete with candidates who do tailor their CVs

Even if tailoring feels like extra work, many of your competitors are already doing it—and it’s giving them an edge.

If your CV isn’t tailored, it may not be flawed…but it will be outmatched.

How to tailor your CV effectively

You don’t need to rewrite it from scratch every time. A few strategic adjustments can make a huge difference:

• Start with the job description. Highlight the key skills, experience, and qualities the employer wants.
• Adapt your professional profile. Reflect how your strengths align with the role.
• Reorder bullet points. Lead with the achievements that matter most for the specific job.
• Use the employer’s language. Mirror important keywords naturally.
• Cut irrelevant detail. Focus the reader’s attention on what makes you the right candidate.

Finally

Sending the same CV repeatedly might feel efficient, but it won’t help you stand out or get the best results. A tailored CV shows intention, professionalism, and correlation. It tells the employer that you’re not just looking for any job, you’re looking for this job.

If you want more interviews, more responses, and more opportunities, start tailoring your CV. 

A little extra effort can turn a good CV into a great one and transform your job search.

Good luck!!