How To Avoid Common CV Mistakes

Very often candidates applying for job vacancies who more than meet the criteria for the qualifications, experience, skills and attributes required do miss out on even getting an interview because their CV is simply not good enough. Even professional, highly qualified and experience people sometimes do not take enough time or pay enough attention to writing their CV and then are left wondering why employers and recruitment agencies and employers have not contacted them to invite for interviews. This article will look at some of the more common mistakes job seekers often make;

Presentation: A CV presented in a fancy font with bright and colourful borders, graphics or photographs will more often than not get over looked, of course it will stand out, just not be for the right reasons. Simple mistakes such as not checking spelling and grammar, layout (paragraphs, bullet points etc.), using font which is too big, too small or difficult to read will create a bad first impression before the reader even starts to look at the content. Often applicants will use pre-prepared templates downloaded from websites, this just looks very lazy. Always keep the CV simple and clear with black or dark coloured typing on a white background, highlighted, italics, capitals and bold typing where appropriate such as section headings and employer names. It is the content not the presentation which should be noticed.

Length: Too short or too long is certain to be rejected. Too short and you will look lazy, uninterested with little in the way of experience and skills, even recent college graduates should be able to write a full length CV if they can focus on their transferable skills and outside interests, hobbies, achievements etc. Recruiters will usually skim through a CV first of all, looking out for the key points related to that vacancy, this is often the case if they have received a high number of applications. If a CV is too long they are unlikely to read all of it and could miss the major points, especially if they are not highlighted. Typically two or three pages is about right.

Lay Out: A CV should be in sections with education, employment, training, qualifications and additional information (hobbies, interests, other achievements, references) should all be clear in separate sections, clearly marked. At the top of the first page should be a brief paragraph including a summary / introduction which should include the key points and vital information. This is the first thing the recruiter will read and therefore the most important, a poor introduction and there is a good chance they will stop reading.

Content: Only include the most relevant information and try to keep it simple and clear. A CV is not meant to read like a story, often bullet points are best used to list the duties and achievements for job roles and to list qualifications as they can stand out. Make sure all important information is included such as key achievements in previous jobs, training and qualifications and do not include anything negative. Avoid any information which can be used to discriminate. Although it is illegal and the majority of employers and recruiters will not discriminate it is best not to take the chance. Information such as marital status, religion, sexuality, political views are not relevant to your ability to perform the job and should not be included.

Re-write: The same exact CV may not always be effective for every job you will apply for. Always read the job advert carefully, research the company and think about what are they looking for and do you have those qualities? But more importantly, does your CV emphasise these qualities? Who are you sending it to? A Human Resources Manager may not know technical jargon for a vacancy in engineering or IT, however another vacancy may be dealt with by a line or department manager with more technical knowledge. Some recruiters and employers may place greater importance on qualifications and some on experience, so make sure the CV reflects this. The first introductory paragraph should be re-written to be tailored to a particular vacancy to grab the attention of the recruiter.

How To Avoid Common CV Mistakes