Why You Aren't Getting Hired: Common CV Mistakes Jamaicans Make (And How to Fix Them)
So, you read our 3-part series on Where to Find Remote Work. You sat down, clicked "Apply" on Arise, Work Better Now, or Influx... and then?
Silence. Crickets. Ghosted.
It is the most frustrating feeling in the world. You know you are hard-working. You know you have the skills. So, why aren't they calling you back?
The hard truth is this: It’s usually not your skills that are the problem—it’s your CV.
International remote work operates by different rules than the local job market in Jamaica. A CV that gets you hired at a bank in New Kingston might get tossed in the trash by a tech company in San Francisco.
Here are the top 5 mistakes Jamaicans make when applying for remote jobs, and exactly how to fix them.
1. The "Photo" Problem
In Jamaica, it is still somewhat common to put a nice headshot on your résumé. We like to show that we look professional and well-groomed.
The Fix: Take it off. Immediately.
In the US, UK, and Canada, anti-discrimination laws are very strict. Companies are terrified of being accused of bias based on race, gender, or age. If a recruiter sees a photo on a CV, they often delete it immediately to protect themselves from legal trouble.
Rule of Thumb: Unless you are applying to be a model or an actor, your face should not be on the document. Let your experience speak for itself.
2. Using "Local Lingo" for Education
If you write that you have "5 CXC subjects including Math and English" or "8 CAPE Units," an American recruiter will have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. They don't know if that is a PhD or a primary school certificate.
The Fix: Translate your education into international terms.
Instead of: "5 CXC Subjects"
Write: "High School Diploma (General Proficiency)" or "Secondary School Certificate."
Instead of: "HEART Trust / NTA Certification"
Write: "Vocational Certification in [Subject]" or "Associate Degree equivalent."
Make it easy for them to say "Yes" by speaking their language.
3. The "Jack of All Trades" CV
We Jamaicans are hustlers. We do a little bit of everything. Your CV might show that you were a Cashier, then a Hairdresser, then worked in a Call Centre, and also did some Catering.
To a local employer, this looks like you are hardworking. To an international remote employer, this looks like you lack focus.
The Fix: Tailor your CV. If you are applying for a Virtual Assistant role, the client wants to see admin skills.
Highlight your data entry, your scheduling, and your customer service experience.
Remove the catering or hairdressing experience unless you can specifically explain how it helps (e.g., "Managed client bookings").
You don't need to list every job you have ever done since you were 18. List the ones that prove you can do this specific job.
4. Fancy Canva Designs (The "ATS" Trap)
You might think a colourful CV with columns, icons, and skill bars looks professional.
The Fix: Keep it simple. Most large companies (like the ones we listed in Part 1 & 2) use software called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to read your CV before a human ever sees it.
These robots cannot read fancy graphics, columns, or icons. If your CV is too pretty, the robot reads it as blank text and rejects you.
Use a standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
Use standard black text on a white background.
Save it as a PDF, not a Word doc (unless they specifically ask for Word).
5. Giving Too Much Address Info
Safety first! In the old days, we put our full address: Lot 45, Hibiscus Drive, Angels Estate, St. Catherine.
The Fix: You are working remotely. They don't need to know exactly where your veranda is.
Simply put: "Kingston, Jamaica" or "St. James, Jamaica".
This is sufficient for them to know your time zone (EST) without giving away your personal security details.
💡 The "FirstGen" Golden Tip: Highlight Your Reliability
The #1 fear international clients have about hiring in the Caribbean is infrastructure. They are scared of power cuts and bad internet.
Address this fear head-on in your CV or Cover Letter. Add a line in your "Skills" or "Summary" section that says:
"Fully equipped home office with high-speed fibre internet and backup power supply (UPS)."
This one sentence puts you ahead of 90% of other applicants because it removes the risk for them.
📅 Catch Us Next Week!
Now that your CV is polished and international-ready, you are ready to re-apply.
Next week, we are going to talk about The Money. We’ll be breaking down Wise vs. Payoneer and how to actually get those US Dollars into your Jamaican bank account without losing half of it to fees.
New posts drop here on the FirstGen website every Monday & Friday at 9:00 AM.
Set your alarm, grab your coffee, and we’ll see you then!
Walk good.
