This Auditor secured 11 interviews and 4 job offers in the UK & Australia. He made these tweaks in his CV.

Crafting an effective CV is the initial and essential step in your job search journey. It determines whether you’ll land an interview with your preferred company.

Surprisingly, there are common mistakes people make during job hunting that can be easily avoided.

CA Kush Vijay dreamed of working abroad but didn’t receive a call despite sending his CV to 300 opportunities.

After months of trying, he recognized his mistakes.

Here are the modifications he made to his CV that got him 11 interviews and 4 job offers in the UK without any referrals or internal movements.

Back story

Since Kush’s school days, he has wanted to explore different countries, meet diverse people, and experience new cultures.

In 2018, he joined Deloitte USI as an Auditor in Gurgaon, focusing on Private Equity, Hedge Funds, and Funds of Funds. He frequently engaged with partners from the US and UK, which sparked his interest in working on the other side of the world.

In 2020, he joined KPMG Global Services in Gurgaon, a joint venture between KPMG US, KPMG UK, and KPMG India.

Kush was also a part of KPMG’s Bermuda team as an offshore member and was offered the opportunity to relocate to the country.

“Being a people person, a small island like Bermuda didn’t seem like a good fit for me in the long run. So, I said to myself, Why don’t I try for an overseas opportunity myself?” explained Kush.

London appealed to him the most for two main reasons,

• London is a central financial hub with many opportunities in the alternative finance industry.
• London is a vibrant city with a lot to offer.

Decision made… London it was!

Kush created a 3-page CV and sent it to almost 300 open vacancies across the Big 4 and the top six firms in the UK.

But to his dismay, he never heard back from even one of them.

What was the reason?

Also read: Talent Acquisition Director in Dubai says there is a high demand in the Finance and Banking industry.

Common CV mistakes he made

“I couldn’t fathom why I didn’t receive an email from those employers. It was truly frustrating – not even a simple ‘let’s have a phone call to see if you’re a fit for the role.'” Kush expressed.

Trying to figure out what to do next, he contacted one of his acquaintances for advice. It was then that he understood his fault…. And it was all related to the way his CV was drafted.

Here are two main CV mistakes he made:

Not customizing the CV for each job

• Kush admitted that he applied for every Auditing profile in London, not just Fund Auditing.
• The big mistake was using a single CV for all job applications. He ignored the job descriptions.

Not using relevant keywords in the CV

• He overlooked keywords in the job descriptions, a significant error.
• Many developed countries like the UK and USA screen digital CVs through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). If a job description contains specific keywords, and your CV doesn’t align with those keywords, your CV gets discarded.

Essential changes he incorporated into his CV

Nowadays, every company assesses resumes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

So, if you don’t make your CV ATS Compatible and add proper keywords, you may not hear from your prospective employer.

Here is how Kush tweaked his CV to include all the relevant keywords,

Qualification related keyword

• Some of Kush’s job descriptions specifically requested an ACCA qualification. This is particularly relevant in the UK, where ACCA is commonly recognized.
• As a result, he made a significant change in his CV. He retained the prominent “chartered accountant” label and added a clarification in brackets: “International equivalent to ACCA.” This alteration is an example of how incorporating keywords can lead to the selection of your CV.

Use Full Terms, Not Abbreviations

• Include the full term if the job description mentions the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). Otherwise, your CV’s chances of getting selected could decrease significantly.
• Similarly, mention “Private Equity” instead of “PE.” The ATS recognizes “Private Equity” and not “PE.” However, if the JD says “PE,” include “PE” with “Private Equity” in brackets.

Years of Experience-related Keywords

• If a job description says “36 months of experience,” it’s better to state “36 months” instead of rounding up to “three plus years.” This may not be universally applicable.

Bold and Highlight Skill-related Keywords:

• Make sure you optimize your CV with industry-specific keywords.
• Each bullet point should include at least one keyword, all of which should be bolded.

Also read: UK job market for expat finance professionals: Everything you need to know from job hunting to applying for a visa.

11 interviews and 4 job offers in the UK 

Once he fixed the mistakes, interview calls started coming in.

Some HR representatives from the UK even reached out to his phone directly.

He participated in around 11 interviews and received three to four job offers. He opted to join KPMG in London.

In 2023, he used the same method to move to Australia on a work visa (not PR). Once again, the strategy worked, and he got a chance with EY in Oceania.

In the past two years, he’s helped over 30 professionals from India to land an interview when applying for jobs overseas, and his strategy worked for them, too.

Patience is key…  

It took Kush six months from getting the first interview call to successfully relocating to the UK.

Much of this time was dedicated to the visa application process and handling all the necessary paperwork. Patience plays a vital role here.

“During your notice period, feeling some anxiety is natural. Too many what-ifs will show up. What if the Visa doesn’t get approved, what if it won’t work out, etc…… Maintaining an optimistic outlook is crucial.” concluded Kush.

Closing advice…  

Regions like the UK, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Germany, and Luxembourg have experienced a significant surge in the requirement for auditors, finance professionals, and consultants.

If you are interested in such opportunities, the most straightforward and practical approach is to,

1. Visit the career webpage of any Big 4, Top Six, or preferred company and submit your CV directly
2. You can also find application links on platforms like LinkedIn.
3. Afterward, connect with relevant individuals on LinkedIn, HR personnel or other appropriate contacts to increase your chances of securing an interview. (Be polite; it is not everyone’s job to help you to find a job!)
4. If you are working in a Big 4, speak to counterparts in the country you are considering and request them to help you. (I did not follow this!)
5. Update your LinkedIn profile, and use filters so you can be discovered.

“I’ve had many people reach out to me on LinkedIn, seeking advice about moving abroad. They are willing to move anywhere! That’s not the right approach. Focus on 1-2 countries, avoiding scattering applications across all options,” explained Kush.

Are you also considering a career overseas? Let us know in the comments.