CV – What to do and not do!
It can be daunting to pull together your CV and try and figure out where to start and how to do this. This post has some advice on what to try and do and what to avoid when possible.
What to do
Do use short bullet point style sentences.
Focus on the job you are looking to apply for to ensure that your CV is relevant with your experience reflecting the role you are applying for – Yes this does mean editing your CV for each role you apply for.
Be positive in your CV but do not lie or over indulge the truth.
Elaborate on your more recent experience.
Keep your CV between two or three pages maximum. CVs are often scanned withing a few seconds when screening candidates for interviews so it is essential to keep your CV to the point.
Spell check and proof read for errors before you distribute your CV.
What not to do
Do not lie or exaggerate – this includes experience, job titles and education qualifications. You will likely be caught out during an interview which is embarrassing for all.
Do not have your CV jumping from point to point – this can make it difficult reading. Ensure that your CV follows fluidly. A general recommendation for a CV format is (1) Personal details i.e. name and contact details (b) Education and qualifications © Career history and work experience (from more recent to oldest (d) Key skills and achievements (e) References.
Do not have any gaps if possible in your CV. If you have gaps on your CV be prepared to answer questions on them.
Do not have formatting and spelling errors. This can often be a reason for not progressing further in the application process, in particular if attention to detail is called out specifically in a job and person specification.
For support and advice on developing your CV into a document that is well structured and gets you closer to getting that all important call for interview, contact me for further support on:
For further support and information on preparing your CV do not hesitate to get in touch to see how I can work with you.
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