Top 3 CV mistakes (from a Google Marketing leader turned Executive Consultant)

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Top 3 CV mistakes (from a Google Marketing leader turned Executive Consultant)

Emily Pearlman didn’t plan to become an Executive CV Consultant.

But, it was a natural progression:

1. She landed her role at Google through her CV. 

2. As a Marketer she strategically positioned products. 

3. as a hiring manager, she learned how top talent gets noticed. 

Over time, she applied this same lens to resumes - first for colleagues, then for clients.

What began as a side project quickly grew into a full-time business. 

Today, Emily transforms executives resumes across industries into strategic assets. 

The kind that:

Tell clear stories

Communicate value quickly 

Unlock new opportunities.

In her own words, we’re sharing the Top CV mistakes.

But first, a word from this weeks sponsor:

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After working with hundreds of job seekers, from rising professionals to C-suite leaders, I’ve learned this: most resumes don’t fail because of content. They fail because of poor positioning.

Below, I’ve outlined the three most common mistakes I see, along with simple, actionable fixes and examples to help you course-correct immediately.

Mistake #1: Lack of Context

The Problem: You list numbers or titles, but you don’t explain why they matter. You assume the reader knows your business or your challenges. They don’t.

Don’t do this: “Increased revenue by 30% for B2B clients.”

Do this instead: “Increased global revenue by 30% YoY (+$2M) by identifying key pain points among mid-market clients and launching a targeted B2B strategy to address them.”

Why it works: The second version adds clarity and business relevance. It shows not just what happened, but how and why it mattered.

Mistake #2: Too Much Filler

The Problem: Your resume is packed with text that doesn’t communicate value. Throw-away sentences, generic buzzwords, and internal jargon slow down the reader.

Don’t do this: “Responsible for leading the A&S team and coordinating FARCOM initiatives across multiple departments to deliver integrated marketing campaigns.”

Do this instead: “Led cross-functional team of 10 to deliver integrated campaigns across product, sales, and comms, driving a 3x increase in engagement.”

Pro tip: You can even add a link to “campaigns” if the work is publicly available (think PR article or YouTube video) which adds helpful context in showcasing your work, without taking up space.

Why it works: The rewrite is shorter, sharper, and results-focused. It quickly tells the reader what you did and why it mattered.

Mistake #3: Forgetting the Bigger Picture

The Problem: You treat the resume as the final deliverable. It’s not. A resume is a launchpad, not a landing page. Without consistent outreach and application volume, even the best document won’t gain traction.

Don’t do this: Spend weeks polishing your resume before applying to a single role.

Do this instead: Apply early and often, even to roles where you meet only 60 percent of the qualifications. Reach out to people inside the company and ask for referrals. Adjust, refine, and iterate on your resume as you go - according to new job descriptions you come across and feedback from decision makers.

Why it works: Execution beats perfection. Progress compounds when you combine strategy with action.

Want to Work Together?

If you’re ready to improve your resume, communicate your value more clearly, and land the role you deserve, I’d love to help.

Explore my services here: https://www.fiverr.com/s/YRwKRa4

Or book a consultation: https://calendly.com/eipearlman/consultation

See you next week!

The information contained in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.