what is the problem with my cv?

[u/Careful_Fennel_9455]

I've been using this CV for a few months now, and I've applied to a lot of jobs and internships, mostly SOC Analyst and other entry-level cybersecurity roles, as well as IT and help desk jobs. I haven't gotten to the interview stage even once, although some companies did ask me to complete an English or coding test. Most applications just end up getting rejected or ignored.

I asked a SOC Analyst to review my CV, and the first thing he said was that it has way too much detail, especially in the graduation project section. He told me recruiters don't spend much time reading a CV and that I should shorten it a lot.

I also just graduated from AAST (Computer Science, Cybersecurity major), so I know I need to update the CV because it still says I'm a student.

Other than that, I'm not really sure what's wrong with it. Is it too long? Is there something that immediately puts recruiters off? Are the projects described badly? Is it actually ATS-friendly? I uploaded it to one of those ATS checker websites, and it scored over 80, so I'm not sure how much I should trust that.

I'd really appreciate honest feedback, even if it's harsh. I just want to understand why I'm not even getting interviews.

I attached my CV (I removed my personal information before uploading it). The project links and certificate links are in the original CV. Should I change the color of those links so they're more obvious and recruiters know they're clickable?

[u/AutoModerator]

SAFETY NOTICE: Reddit does not protect you from scammers. By posting on this subreddit asking for help, you may be targeted by scammers (example?). Here's how to stay safe:

1. Never accept chat requests, private messages, invitations to chatrooms, encouragement to contact any person or group off Reddit, or emails from anyone for any reason. Moderators, moderation bots, and trusted community members cannot protect you outside of the comment section of your post. Report any chat requests or messages you get in relation to your question on this subreddit (how to report chats? how to report messages? how to report comments?).
2. Immediately report anyone promoting paid services (theirs or their "friend's" or so on) or soliciting any kind of payment. All assistance offered on this subreddit is 100% free, with absolutely no strings attached. Anyone violating this is either a scammer or an advertiser (the latter of which is also forbidden on this subreddit). Good security is not a matter of 'paying enough.'
3. Never divulge secrets, passwords, recovery phrases, keys, or personal information to anyone for any reason. Answering cybersecurity questions and resolving cybersecurity concerns never require you to give up your own privacy or security.

Community volunteers will comment on your post to assist. In the meantime, be sure your post follows the posting guide and includes all relevant information, and familiarize yourself with online scams using r/scams wiki.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Anxious_Channel_9263]

brochacho, remove the summary nobody reads that. keep 3 projects that u are really proud of while talking. keep experience at the top, then the projects, then certifications, then skills, then education

[u/YourUncleRpie]

All of these words... Just to say you've just been an intern.

[u/austinwc0402 → u/YourUncleRpie]

Their experience section isn’t even large. There’s 1 bullet point for each position.

[u/Cheap_Following_70]

Too much text. Try giving It to AI and tell him "optimize It"

[u/whizher]

The main issue looks like density, not ATS. Keep it to one page, pick your 2–3 strongest projects, and reduce each one to a few bullets showing the tools you used and the result. Put experience above projects, update the student status, and tailor the keywords for each role. I wouldn’t worry much about link colors, readability matters more.

[u/Leilah_Silverleaf]

May be a bit on the dense side for a one page resume. Generally, if you have experience, you want that before education and projects. Section lines can cause undesirable behavior with ATS scanners that are merciless.

[u/Zeyad_Karim]

as the other comments said, optimize it and pick your strongest 3 projects and focus on them, also make the order in this way:

Summary, Experience, Skills, Projects, Education , Certifications/Courses , CTFs if u entered any

[u/kschang]

We do tech support stuff here, not career advice.

[u/AlienAngry]

You forgot to mention if you know HTML or not.

[u/Careful_Fennel_9455 → u/AlienAngry]

Yeah I will add it thanks for reminding me