Did you know, at least half of all CVs screened by recruiters,
contains at least one spelling mistake? Your CV is your sales pitch and
the one chance you have at persuading the recruiter into taking your application
further.
Profile: All too often, we see profiles with sentences
such as, “I am hardworking, good in a team or on my own and have good
communication skills.” This will not sell you and sounds like 90% of other
applicants. Use this section of your CV to highlight your skills and related
achievements – preferably matching them to competencies requested on a
job description. This section should always be written in third person
Employment: When compiling your employment history
there is no need to provide the address of your employer - all you need
is the company name, your job title and the date you started work and
finished work with them. Then, you can talk about your duties and achievements
in each position
Over-the-top formatting: Never use any colours /
fancy borders in a CV. Many people will be printing in black and white
and this could lead to text not displaying properly
Hobbies: The majority of people enjoy reading, listening
to music, sport and socialising etc., so unless you have done something
special and relevant to the position you’re applying for - leave it out!
If you are including hobbies, keep them towards the bottom of your CV
as it is one of the least important areas
Qualifications: Lots of people make the common mistake
of listing all their academic background (including grades) - even from
25 years ago! This is not necessary. For recent graduates or for someone
with limited employment history it may be useful but for the majority
of applicants, all that’s needed is information on your most recent achievement
and a list of older ones
Too many pages: Don’t bore the reader with pages
of unnecessary information. There is no specific rule regarding the number
of pages a CV should be, but as a general guide, a recent graduate will
be looking at around 1 page whereas someone in employment should be looking
at around 2 pages (3 pages for someone with a more detailed employment
background / in a managerial position)
Jargon: Many applicants believe that using industry-specific
jargon is beneficial and that the person reading their CV will understand
it. Unfortunately, CVs are often screened by people who will not understand
these acronyms – thus reducing the chances of your application being pursued
For further advice with regards to writing a CV, contact The CV
Store – CV writing specialists. Their services are available seven days
a week; contact them today for a free
CV review to identify any areas of your CV that need improving!
