Introduction
When you submit a CV, it's easy to imagine that it will be read carefully and analysed in detail. But the reality of recruitment processes in many organisations is quite different.
Recruiters and hiring managers often have dozens or even hundreds of applications to go through. The time they dedicate to each CV in the initial screening is typically reduced: between 6 and 10 seconds. That’s the time a candidate usually has to create an initial impact.
⚠️ Important note: Not all organisations follow this pattern. There are teams — particularly those with more human-centric or values-driven recruitment processes — that invest time in reviewing every application thoroughly. In these contexts, CVs are read more attentively and with a critical eye, looking not only at technical skills but also intention, clarity, and authenticity. Still, to be taken seriously, your CV must show value within the first few seconds.
This article explains what typically happens during the quick scan of a CV, what grabs attention, what doesn't — and offers practical examples to help you avoid common mistakes.
Real Reading Time: 6 to 10 Seconds (in Most Cases)
In this short window, the recruiter is scanning, not reading line by line. They're looking for:
- A clear and focused professional summary
- The most recent or current job experience
- Key technologies, roles, or competencies
- Concrete results, figures, visible impact
- A clean, easy-to-read layout
Anything that doesn’t fit these criteria may be skipped — unless the organisation applies a more detailed review approach.
❌ Example of a CV That Doesn’t Work
Name: Carlos Ferreira xxxxxx
Email: carlos_topgamer1994xxxxxxx@hotmail.com
Summary:
"I’m a proactive, creative team player. I have a passion for technology and I’m open to new challenges."
Work Experience:
2020–2023 – IT Technician
- General user support and software installation
- Team collaboration
- Basic maintenance
Skills: Word, Excel, Internet, Social Media, Intermediate English
Why This CV Doesn’t Work:
- The email is informal and unprofessional
- The summary is vague and says nothing concrete
- Experience is presented as basic tasks with no real impact
- Skills are too generic and weakly described
- No mention of relevant tools or technologies
👉 Likely result: discarded in the initial screening in automated or high-volume processes
✅ Example of a CV That Stands Out (Even With Limited Experience)
Name: Mariana Lopes xxxxxxx
Email: mariana.lopes.dev.xxxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Professional Summary:
"Computer Engineering graduate with .NET development experience through academic and freelance projects. Passionate about web solutions, automation, and enterprise applications."
Practical Experience:
2023: Freelance project – Web task management app
- Built with ASP.NET Core, Razor Pages, Entity Framework
- Used SQL Server LocalDB for storage
- Deployed on free-tier Azure environment
Other Projects:
- REST API for order registration (C# + Swagger)
- Stock management desktop app (WPF + SQLite)
Technical Skills:
C#, .NET, EF Core, Git, HTML/CSS, SQL Server, Basic Azure
Why This CV Works:
- Professional and neutral email
- Clear summary with technical identity and intent
- Shows concrete work, even if self-initiated
- Includes specific technologies aligned with modern roles
- Layout is clean and easy to scan
👉 Likely result: shortlisted in any company that values real substance and initiative
What Often Gets Ignored in a CV
- Long paragraphs with generic language (“I’m highly motivated, creative, resilient…”)
- Work experience with no dates or context (“Internship at Company XYZ” – no details)
- Undistinguished skills (“Internet”, “Microsoft Office”)
- Generic hobbies (“cinema, music, travelling…”) — unless directly relevant
What Instantly Grabs Attention
- A well-written professional summary at the top
- Mentions of relevant technologies, results, or projects
- Visible impact (“automated 3 processes”, “reduced lead time by 30%”)
- Properly named file (e.g., "CV_MarianaLopes_2025.pdf")
Key Tip: Think in Three Blocks
Build your CV as if the reader will only check:
- Your Professional Summary
- Your most relevant experience
- Your core skills or tools
If those three areas are clear, focused, and aligned with the job, you increase your chances — especially in organisations that appreciate content over flash.
Conclusion
A great CV isn’t the longest — it’s the clearest and most effective.
Many organisations won’t read every CV in detail. But some do. There are recruiters who read between the lines and look for real substance.
So write with clarity, structure, and intention. Within a few seconds, your CV should be able to say:
“This person has something valuable to offer.”