Wednesday, September 18, 2013


worcesternews.co.uk 33


You have to think back for dates of education and jobs; you need to work out what you should say, and then write, revise and polish so that your CV paints a glowing picture. And then there's the proofreading on top. So that your CV gets the attention it deserves, avoid these 10 common clangers:


NOT BOTHERING WITH A COVERING LETTER


Without a covering letter, your CV may end up straight in the bin. A covering letter is vital because it gives you the opportunity to highlight any relevant qualifications or experience, explain any employment gaps or provide other information to make the employer want to read your CV.


ASSUMING A SPELLING CHECK IS GOOD ENOUGH


More than 60 per cent of recruitment managers said that spelling errors are the most frequent mistakes in CVs. Never rely on doing a spelling check (type ‘relay’ instead of ‘rely’ accidentally – it won’t get picked up). Check and check again and


Avoiding those CV clangers W


RITING a CV not only demands time but also


unwavering attention to detail.


ask a friend to check for you. Attention to detail and strong written communication skills are requirements of many jobs. If there are two similarly skilled candidates and one has spelling errors on the CV, who is more likely to be picked?


GIVING YOUR CV FORMAT A CREATIVE TOUCH


One candidate printed his CV on ‘Garfield the Cat’ paper. Avoid being snazzy – keep your CV looking professional by sticking to standard white or cream-coloured paper, black type and an easily legible font such as Arial or Times New Roman.


REPEATING YOURSELF


Thirty per cent of recruitment managers said CVs not tailored to the position was the most frequent or annoying mistake. Don’t dish out the same CV and covering letter time and time again. Always make them relevant to each job and employer.


GUESSTIMATING YOUR DATES AND TITLES


Prospective employers are scrupulous and any white lies – including stretching employment dates to hide gaps – could be spotted. Why take chances? According to a UK survey for Experian, nearly half of HR


TELL EVERYONE WHY YOU LEFT


Honesty is always the best policy but it’s perfectly acceptable to stay quiet until asked. Don’t put anything negative on your CV – if you left because you were laid off or fired, then only mention it if asked.


INCLUDE LOTS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION


What you do in your spare time is up to you. But there’s no point mentioning it unless it’s relevant to the job. The same goes for your height, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or any other facts that could potentially be used against you.


DRONING ON


managers at the UK’s biggest firms can tell when a CV is lying. It found that 37 per cent of job seekers had lied about their previous experience, 21 per cent about their qualifications and 19 per cent about their salaries.


BEING GENERAL


Some employers may search through CVs online using keywords. If you’re posting your CV online, make sure employers


can find you quickly and easily by using key phrases that are similar to the ones in ads for jobs you like.


FOCUSING ON ROLES, NOT ACHIEVEMENTS


Explain what you have achieved for the company. For instance, it’s easy to state you have experience in sales, but employers will take more note if you say you were responsible for a 10 per cent growth in overall sales.


That paper round at the age of 12 isn’t relevant to your career, so there’s no reason to include it . Your CV should be no more than


two pages – and no more than a page for most professionals – so only include your most recent and relevant work history. With so much competition around, ensnaring that interview can be just as important as landing the job. Without a good CV and covering letter, you’re on a starter to nowhere.  In association with CareerBuilder.co.uk


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