The Do’s and Dont’s of CV writing

One of the first things we are always asked by candidates is what do you think of my CV? Do I need to change anything and will you re-write my CV for me?  More and more candidates are now opting for a professionally written CV to ensure they are giving themselves the best possible chance of securing the job they really want.

The current job market and economic climate is complex, competitive and highly challenging and when it comes to job hunting, a one style fits all CV is nowadays quite simply not enough.  An active job hunter should regard their CV as being in a state of continual professional development, it should be under constant review ensuring it adequately matches each and every job you apply for.

Lets remember that a  CV is a personal document, unique to its owner. Its purpose is to clearly define an individuals career history, experiences, achievements and acquired skills and should be written to demonstrate the very best you have done and the very best you have to offer.

Do

• Do list qualifications, academia and any extra studies you have undertaken.
• Do include a chronological list of your employment starting with the most recent and work backwards
• Do include achievements that have come from doing your everyday job – especially ones which have added value.
• Do include previous employers’ names and other companies you come into contact with (if appropriate).
• Do include any other relevant or unique information that will set you apart from another candidate but make sure it’s interesting and relevant.
• Do include a hobbies and interest section as it helps build a personal profile of who you are.
• Do use positive words to start each sentence.  Words such as introduced, developed, initiated, improved, reduced, saved, negotiated, increased etc.  These create a positive sense around the experience you have gained and also help qualify your achievements.
• Do check, check and check once again.  There is no excuse for spelling or grammatical errors and a recruiter will often use error spotting as a quick and easy way of weeding out weaker candidates when faced with a large volume of applications.  Do get someone else to proof it as two heads are definitely better than one!
• Do use relevant keywords. Online recruiters and job boards use keyword database searches to find the most relevant job seekers.   These keywords are often relevant to the job you are in/want and might be a qualification like ACCA or CIPD or could be a technical skill like SAP or C++ or it could be a job title “HR Manager”.  Make sure that the language on your CV mirrors the language likely to be used in the job you want.

Don’t

• Don’t expand the truth or exaggerate too much.  Employers will often see right through this and if you do get offered the job it is likely you will be found out soon after you start
• Don’t include a photo of your self.  Whilst this is a popular choice for many European countries it seems not be a favourite for most UK employers.
• Don’t go overboard on fancy designs for your CV.  Too much creativity on a CV can be off putting for the reader.  Avoid fonts which are difficult to read, and colours which make the pages look jazzy.  Not only will the reader be distracted from the information they need,  it may make the document difficult to upload to jobsites and it may not email well.
• Don’t share sensitive information such as your NI number or passport number.  Also due to discrimination you are no longer required to put your date of birth/age, martial status, or ethnicity on your CV.  However some people chose to still include all or some of this information, it’s entirely up to you.
• Don’t make the recruiter jump through hoops.  Whether you are applying to an agency or an employer directly, don’t rely on them to read between the lines.  If you have experience relevant to the job/company you are applying for make sure it’s clearly demonstrated on your CV.
• Don’t use unnecessary words or common catch phrases.  Use words and phrases that factually describe you and what you can do.  Steer away from strap-lines and clichés like “I am a highly motivated individual who works well on their own or as part of a team” as a recruiter will have heard this so many times before.  Be original and you will instantly stand out.
• Don’t make duplicate applications.  Make sure you apply for the job just once.  If you are unsure as to whether your application has been received (perhaps due to a technical problem)call the recruiter to check, don’t keep re-sending as the recruiter may end up getting multiple applications and this can be quite off putting.
• Don’t list everything.  An employer needs information but doesn’t want to know everything.  If you have completed lots of small courses there is no need to list all of them.  Select the ones which are most relevant to the job you are applying for.  Be ruthless about what you select to go into your CV in order for it to be relevant and concise.