Are you sending out your CV and finding that you almost nerve get a reply? However, there are ways to get your CV noticed and snag that important interview. Here are some of the mistakes you may be making, and how to avoid them.
Hiding the important information
The experience you have is often more important than where you’ve worked in the past. Many recruiters don’t look at a CV if it isn’t showing them the info about you that they’re looking for. When designing your CV, look to see if the important sections are front and centre. Don’t hide them away in a later section, or they may not be noticed.
Using poor spelling and grammar
If your CV is full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, the recruiter isn’t going to look twice at them. That’s because they see hundreds of CVs every day, and they just don’t have the time. That’s why you need to weed every mistake out before you hit ‘submit’. If you need some help, use a proofreading service such as UK Writings to help you check it over and edit.
Not explaining gaps in employment
Many people just gloss over the gaps in employment on their CV without a second thought. They hope if they don’t draw attention to it, the recruiter won’t notice. In fact, the recruiter will spot it instantly and wonder why you weren’t working. Be upfront about any gaps, and explain what you were doing during that gap. Honesty is always the best policy.
Being too vague
Gina Capes, CV writing expert, says ‘Many people make the mistake of being too vague in their CVs. They use phrases like “a few” or “many”, which don’t mean anything on their own.’ To avoid this, be specific in what you’re saying. If you helped exceed fundraising targets, say how much by. If you’ve worked for a specific company, say exactly how long you were there for.
Including too much info
The jobs you have held in the past may be significant to you, but they may not be of interest to the recruiter. Focus on what skills you can bring to the role, and minimise any job roles that don’t help you get the interview you want.
Leaving in bad punctuation and typos
Any CV that contains issues with punctuation, or still has typos in it, will be thrown right out. If you haven’t corrected your mistakes, then it shows that you’re happy to rush things and that you don’t pay attention to the little details that make up the big picture. If you’re having trouble keeping on top of them, consult with a proofreading company such as Big Assignments in order to keep them out of your CV.
Writing an overlong CV
A good average length for a CV is around 2 pages long. Any longer than that, and you’re in danger of waffling, or including information that the recruiter doesn’t need or want. If your CV is too chunky, the recruiter may not even glance at it. If you need to keep an eye on the length of your CV, use a tool such as Easy Word Count to keep an eye on your word count.
Being too fancy in your design
Those ornate borders and fonts may look good, but they’ll just give a recruiter a headache. Make it easier by using a good clean font, and leaving the embellishments behind.
Avoid these mistakes, and your experience can really shine through. Tidy up your CV and see for yourself.
Author bio:
Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years experience in business management, marketing and entrepreneurship. Consultant and tutor for college students and entrepreneurs. Self-motivated results driven individual who is encouraged to travel.
