Be explicit when stating facts, employer should have no questions.
Use bullet points to make your CV more concise and easier to scan.
Include ALL of your contact details – name, address, home and mobile telephone number and email address (you’d be surprised how many people forget!)
Set out the information under clear headings.
Keep it truthful, concise and jargon-free.
Keep it simple – when it comes to producing the ideal curriculum vitae remember that “Less is More”
For experienced professionals, job responsibilities should be detailed, explained in paragraphs if required, but easy to read.
Use dates consistently when talking about qualifications and experience. Start with the most recent and work backwards.
Keep your CV to no longer than 1 – 2 pages if you are just starting your career, 2 – 3 pages if you are seeking mid-management position and 3 – 4 pages if you are seeking senior management positions.
Use a spell check and ask someone to read through it before sending. Spelling mistakes make you look careless and inaccurate.
Use present tense for current jobs and past tense for previous, keep it consistent
Include your availability (e.g., ‘immediately available’ or ‘4 weeks notice’)
Keep it factual – avoid any use of opinions
Use a font size that is large enough to read!
Make it clear on a covering letter or email which job you are applying for.
CV Don’t's:
Repeated use of “I” is hard on the eye – drop it
Stay away from flowery language, fancy fonts and brightly colored paper – let the content do the talking
Don’t use a humorous or inappropriate email address such as “jonymaan@gmail.com”. This may make a recruiter smile but won’t get you an interview!
Do not use jargons, acronyms or abbreviations that are not well known in the sector. Remember that your CV may be read by HR who may not know these.
Don’t include irrelevant facts – a potential employer will not be interested in how many children and grandchildren you have!
Time gaps on your CV give the impression that you have something to hide. If you have been made redundant, and spent 2 months looking for a new job, this is fine. If you have taken a career break or gone traveling – say so!
Phrasing which reads negatively has no place on a CV e.g., but, although, however, despite, nevertheless, etc
Repeats of bullet points are a waste of valuable selling space!
Post or fax CV’s only when absolutely necessary or if you are asked to do this. Email is now the accepted standard and these tend to be dealt with first.
Include your current employer as a referral at your peril! (Unless you don’t want them to know you are looking elsewhere!)
Do not include a photograph unless it is a requirement by the company.
Exaggerating your experience will cause you problems later on. Interviews are designed to weed out fibbers!
If you speak a foreign language, don’t embellish your level of fluency – GCSE French does not make you a ‘fluent’ speaker.
And finally – DON’T SELL YOURSELF SHORT!
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