The biggest myth about CV’s. Whether you’re choosing your next job or a total career change (and why it’s keeping you stuck)
If you read my first blog in this series “You’re Not Behind. You’re Just Not Aligned.” you’ll know that I’ve had my fair share of career crossroads, moments of doubt and that little question playing in my mind: “Is it too late for me to change?”
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
But here’s what I did believe for way too long…and it’s the biggest myth that holds so lots of other people back from making their next career move:
“If my CV and experience doesn’t match the job requirements, I’ll never be considered, so I won’t apply.”
(and especially us women! "Women apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the requirements, whereas men will apply if they meet about 60% *") *2014 internal report by Hewlett-Packard
The chances are that this myth may be quietly replaying and re-surfacing for you?
Here’s the truth: it’s not ALL about the CV. It’s about your story
Yes, your CV can be a gatekeeper to change. But too many of us - even me as a Talent Acquisition specialist - can obsess over the format, the design, the font. How many times have you deleted, changed or forced all your previous jobs and titles into your CV…?! and then applied to job after job on the disheartening Linkedin site…with lingering fears: “Have I written the right thing?”, “Have I used AI right, to get the best CV possible?”, “Am I qualified enough for this role?”
Career opportunities don’t start on your CV - they start with a decision (and networking, but we’ll get onto that in another blog!). Your CV is a reflection of the story you choose to tell about yourself. Otherwise, the CV is literally just a document.
Real change starts with your story
In my own career journey (and from the stories I hear when coaching clients), job changes don’t come from CV tweaks. They actually come from honest reflection and self-awareness. I’ve learned that from knowing my strengths and from realising those, I’m building forward.
Remember when I shared this quote in Blog 1?
“You’re not behind - you’re just not aligned.”
Well, alignment isn’t only about experience checklists. It’s about aligning your energy, all those awesome transferrable skills, your purpose, and of course your potential.
Need some examples? Ok, here you go!
· Zack Isaacs taught himself design, landed a Google apprenticeship at 18, and became a product marketing lead, without a degree.
· Bradley moved from hospitality into ad tech after a short training course, proving mindset and motivation matter more than a perfect background.
What to do?
If you're considering your next career move, here’s what you really need to focus on:
- Clarity – What do you actually want next?
- Courage – Are you willing to make bold moves, even if your CV isn’t a perfect match?
- Confidence – Can you own your strengths and reframe your story?
In Blog 1, I talked about the importance of courage. It’s one of my 3 C’s. But courage paired with strategy? That’s where momentum builds. And some coaching always helps.
One final reframe for you to always remember
You are not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience.
Whether it’s experience in a current role, a previous role, or experience from university or your hobbies. If you’re feeling stuck because your experience doesn’t “look like” what you think it should, then this is really important:
A match on paper includes how your values, strengths and your purpose are aligned to the opportunity as well. These are your differentiators to the ‘competition’.
Take that Brave Step! If this resonates with you, take a break to reflect on your values, your doubts, your strengths and what you really, truly want next.
And if you’re ready to explore a new career opportunity, apply on JobsinAdtech of course! And book a no-pressure 15-minute discovery coaching call with me if you need some clarity. We’ll talk through your ideas, your goals, (not just your CV!) and how you can move forward with purpose and confidence.
👉 Book your discovery call here: https://career-coach.net/
Let’s turn your CV into a narrative that actually works in your favour.
Next up in our blog series together: “How to tell your Career story when you’re moving roles”
Samantha Barron, certified professional Coach and a certified Agile Champion at Career Coach