HOW TO… AVOID CV MISTAKES
LAST week we looked at what you should include on your CV, today we highlight common mistakes and things to avoid.
DON’T…
-Hand-write or type your CV. This looks unprofessional and old fashioned.
-Include information which may be viewed negatively – failed exams, divorces, failed business ventures, reasons for leaving a job, points on your driving license. Don’t lie, but just don’t include this kind of information. Don’t give the interviewer any reason to discard you at this stage.
-Include anything that might discriminate against you – such as date of birth, marital status, race, gender or disability.
-Include salary information and expectations. Leave this for negotiations after your interview, when the employers are convinced how much they want to employ you.
-Make your CV more than two pages long. You can free up space by leaving out or editing information that is less important. For example, you do not need to include referees – just state they are available on request. Don’t include all of the jobs you have had since school, just the relevant ones. Add details about your most recent qualifications, which are more relevant, but summarize the rest.
-Dilute your important messages. Don’t bother with a list of schools you attended with grades and addresses, don’t include a long list of hobbies, or a long work history. Concentrate on demonstrating that the skills they need, what you have achieved by applying the skills you have and what benefits your clients have gained from your work.
-Use jargon, acronyms, technical terms – unless essential.
-Lie – employers have ways of checking what you put is true, and may sack you if they take you on and find out you’ve lied to them.
LAST week we looked at what you should include on your CV, today we highlight common mistakes and things to avoid.
DON’T…
-Hand-write or type your CV. This looks unprofessional and old fashioned.
-Include information which may be viewed negatively – failed exams, divorces, failed business ventures, reasons for leaving a job, points on your driving license. Don’t lie, but just don’t include this kind of information. Don’t give the interviewer any reason to discard you at this stage.
-Include anything that might discriminate against you – such as date of birth, marital status, race, gender or disability.
-Include salary information and expectations. Leave this for negotiations after your interview, when the employers are convinced how much they want to employ you.
-Make your CV more than two pages long. You can free up space by leaving out or editing information that is less important. For example, you do not need to include referees – just state they are available on request. Don’t include all of the jobs you have had since school, just the relevant ones. Add details about your most recent qualifications, which are more relevant, but summarize the rest.
-Dilute your important messages. Don’t bother with a list of schools you attended with grades and addresses, don’t include a long list of hobbies, or a long work history. Concentrate on demonstrating that the skills they need, what you have achieved by applying the skills you have and what benefits your clients have gained from your work.
-Use jargon, acronyms, technical terms – unless essential.
-Lie – employers have ways of checking what you put is true, and may sack you if they take you on and find out you’ve lied to them.
