There are so many CVs that get rejected out of hand just because they don’t look or sound quite right. Knowing how to write a good CV is a crucial step towards getting your dream job. Your CV is the deciding factor in whether you get the chance to show your stuff in the interview process. You can’t change it once you’ve applied, but prospective employers will keep referring back to it, looking for different things.
Employers are past masters at rejecting CVs for a wide range of seemingly minor anomalies. Don’t give them an opportunity to eliminate yours.
So how do you keep it from being thrown out? These CV tips dispel the myths ...
MYTH
If my CV is accepted, I’ve basically got the job.
TRUTH
Getting your CV accepted is only the first stage of the process.
Look again at the recruitment process outline. This is what your employer will have in front of them, on paper or in their mind, when they consider you. The CV stage and the first interview are far from the end of the process. Without getting past one stage, you will not get to the next.
MYTH
The appearance of my CV isn’t important.
TRUTH
Your CV is your written representative.
The format of the CV can, and should, differ depending on the job you’re going for. If you aspire to be a graphic designer for example, then exciting images, layout and typefaces will be appreciated. For a banking role – and for most other positions, they will not.
For all jobs, your CV needs to be clean, clear and concise.
It must also be grammatically correct. Many students fail to fully eradicate errors from their CVs. The mistake tends to be fatal, with most employers automatically deleting these applications without a second thought. If a folded, coffee-stained CV lands on someone’s desk, it will almost certainly be thrown straight into the bin.
Some employers believe that CVs should be accompanied by a picture of the applicant. This is a controversial point. A picture may make you stand out, but you run the risk of being judged or discriminated against due to the way that you look.
MYTH
You should try to get some humour in there.
TRUTH
Never try to be funny in a CV.
There is possible room for humour in your cover letter, but in your CV it will be seen as frivolous. You can never know what kind of sense of humour your employer will have. Even if you are lucky and amuse one person, the next to be handed your CV may not be so amused.
MYTH
Your CV should contain every job you’ve done up to this point.
TRUTH
Employers only want to know what is relevant to the job you are applying for. They don’t want to hear your life story. The paper round that you did when you were twelve isn’t relevant when you apply for a job as an accountant. It might be of interest, however, if you are going for a sales job within the newspaper industry.
MYTH
Everyone lies on their CV.
TRUTH
Lies are an absolute no-go.
Employers study hundreds of CVs every year and can easily spot anomalies. If you fabricate a skill or experience on your CV, you will almost definitely be caught out. Your CV will probably be rejected, but even if you make it to the interview stage, you’ll be grilled closely on that detail. If you can’t answer, your lie will be shown up.
The trick is to highlight – and really focus in on – the skills and experience that you have and that are relevant to the role you are applying for.
MYTH
My CV should be as long as possible.
TRUTH
Your CV should be two pages long at the most. If it is any longer than that, the employer will lose interest. Everything about your CV tells the employer what you will be like as an employee. Being concise and to the point is a major skill in any profession.
Good tip
Bar work is always a tricky one. If you are going for a role that involves client interaction and customer service, it can be relevant. If you choose to include bar or waiting work, always streamline your description by picking out the skills you used. Examples might include customer service skills or coping well under pressure.
MYTH
Every piece of data about me should be included – how else will they know these things?
TRUTH
Some things they won’t want to know.
Avoid mentioning birthdays, school prizes, subject marks, political or religious stances, names of children or reasons for leaving your previous jobs. If they want to know, they will ask you in the interview.
Think of your CV as a film – every scene needs to be relevant to the story or people get bored and switch off.
MYTH
My CV will be given full attention and interest by everyone that reads it.
TRUTH
The average time a CV spends in the employer’s hands, before getting the go-ahead or the go-away is 15 seconds. The number of CVs submitted for every position is overwhelming and nobody will be wasting too much time pouring over your application initially. Be succinct and snappy. Your CV gets you noticed but you have to be noticeable. Be creative and exciting, but only if the company fits that profile, too.
