Don’t provide irrelevant personal information: Your CV should focus on your professional qualifications and experience, not on your personal life. There is no need to include details such as your date of birth, marital status or nationality.
Don’t bury important information: Make sure the most important and relevant information is easy to find on your CV. Use clear headings and logical order to make it easy for recruiters to see what you have to offer.
Don’t make spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors: This will make your CV look unprofessional and could count against you when recruiters are making shortlisting decisions. Proofread your CV carefully before sending it off.
Don’t leave unexplained gaps in employment: If you have any gaps in your employment history, be prepared to explain them during an interview. Recruiters may view these as red flags so it’s best to give a brief explanation upfront.
Don’t lie or mislead information: It’s important to be truthful on your CV as any lies could come back to bite you during the recruitment process. If you’re caught out, it could result in an immediate rejection from the role you’ve applied for.
Do add references to your CV: Including at least two professional references on your CV is a good way to show that other people vouch for your skills and experience levels. Make sure you get permission from each reference before adding their details though!
Do keep your CV concise: A long and winding CV is likely to lose the interest of recruiters so try and stick to two sides of A4 if possible . Highlight only the most relevant points from each job description – no need for War and Peace!
8 .D o format yo ur C V correctly : Easy-to-read fonts , consistent font sizes throughout , clear section headings an d i nformation l aid o ut i n reverse chronological order are all key t o ensur ing y our C V has a professio nal lo ok whic h w ill sta nd out f rom th e c rowd .
Should a CV have a photo?
In many cases, adding a photo to your CV will not add any value to your application and may even take up valuable space. However, if you are in a country or industry where photos are required on resumes, make sure that the photo looks professional and takes up minimal space.
If you’re not sure whether or not a photo is required on your CV, play it safe and don’t include one. Many times, photos serve no purpose other than taking up precious real estate on your document.
If you decide to include a photo on your CV, be sure that it is high quality and professional looking. Avoid using casual snapshots or pictures that take up too much space on the page.
Does a CV need an introduction?
Your CV’s personal statement, or profile, is the first chance to grab an employer or recruiter’s attention. It should be a snapshot of you as a professional, highlighting your qualifications, skills and experience in a concise yet well-written way.
With so many applications to sift through, employers and recruiters often don’t have time to read every CV in full. That’s why your personal statement is so important – it needs to be a powerful summary of you as a candidate that makes them want to find out more.
To create an impactful personal statement, take some time to brainstorm and reflect on your career journey so far. What achievements are you most proud of? What valuable skills have you gained? What makes you unique? Once you’ve got a good understanding of what to include, start writing – and don’t forget to proofread before hitting send!
How many paragraphs should a CV be?
A great cover letter will have 3-4 paragraphs that are easy to read.
The first paragraph is your chance to really grab the employer’s attention and show them why you’re perfect for the role.
Make sure you do your research on the company so that you can reference them in your letter and prove your interest.
Keep your sentences short and sweet so that the employer can easily read through your cover letter.
What is the first heading in your CV?
Your resume header should include your: full name, job/professional title, and (optional) resume summary or objective.
Start by including your full name at the top of the page in a clear, bold font.
Underneath your name, add your job title or professional designation. If you have no professional experience yet, you can still list relevant coursework, skills, or extracurriculars that make you qualified for the positions you’re applying to.
Finally, add a resume summary or objective after your contact information. This is optional but can be helpful in introducing yourself to potential employers and explaining what kind of role you’re seeking.
I Leon Thompson am a Human Resources Expert. I have worked in the field for over 15 years, and during that time I have gained invaluable experience and knowledge.
I am also a CV expert and Resume Expert, so I know what employers are looking for when they review applications. This gives me an advantage when helping clients to create resumes and CVs that will stand out from the crowd.