HappyLifestyleJournal
You’ve probably written your CV numerous times and you think that you’ve become an expert. However, a good CV is not enough. The job market has become very demanding due to numerous highly qualified candidates, and even the smallest, seemingly insignificant details can improve or ruin your chances of getting the job you want. We all make mistakes, but it is important to avoid the serious ones when writing a CV. Here are the most common ones, and tips on how to avoid making them.
1. Wasting space
Setting up large margins and leaving big gaps between your paragraphs, however odd it may sound to you, doesn’t look appealing to your potential employers. Use every little bit of the paper to put all the necessary information – keep the margins small and avoid large gaps between paragraphs. This may seem silly to you, but on such a competitive market even the small mistakes such as this one can make the employers hire someone else, even if you’re fully qualified for the job.
2. Attaching your photo
Photos are rarely a necessary part of your resume. Are you applying for an acting or a modeling job? Probably not. Attaching your photo to your CV can seem distasteful to your potential employer, so avoid doing it. Use the space on the paper to provide only the necessary information.
3. Salary requirements
Your potential employer is looking for someone who can perform the job well. Negotiating your salary in your CV can put your recruiter off, and it may cause you to miss the opportunity of getting the job. Once you are called in for an interview and you see that the company is interested in hiring you, then you can negotiate the terms and the salary. Leave the space on your CV for proving that you’re the right person for the job.
The previously mentioned mistakes can cause some damage. However, from this point on, we’ll be talking about the mistakes that can seriously lower your chances of getting the job you apply for.
4. Writing in third person
Many people feel tempted to write their resume in third person. Although it may sound great to you, to your recruiter it will simply be unappealing. A CV is a way for you to introduce yourself to your potential employer, and one of the most effective ways to do so is to write it in first person.
5. Using non-standard fonts
A CV is not a place where you should be showing your creativity. Your recruiter should be able to read it easily, which means that you should stick to simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, etc. Avoid using curvy and artistic fonts, because if you do, your CV probably won’t even be read.
6.Forgetting to include job titles and summaries
Many people forget to include recent job titles and summaries into their CV. Those are very important pieces of information to your recruiter, so never forget to say what your title was, what your role in the company you worked for was, and what the company did. But don’t go too much into detail – stay brief and concise.
7. Writing too many pages
Did you think that the more pages and information your CV contains, the better your chances will be? Wrong! Your potential employers already have a lot on their hands, and they don’t have the time to read about your entire life. Your CV should fit into no more than 2 whole pages. In this case being brief and economical is an asset.
8. Making silly claims
Many people try to attract the attention of their recruiters and increase their chances of getting employed. However, overstating some things, or making claims which cannot be proven can only damage your chances. For instance, you should avoid saying that you’re the best at something – there is always someone better, somewhere. Stick to provable facts, and state only what you have actually done.
9. Lying
Many people lie in their CVs in order to appear more skillful and increase their chances of getting the job they want. However, if you get caught, you could suffer serious consequences, such as getting a bad reputation and people closing the doors for you. But it would be even worse if you lied about some of your skills, and you managed to get the job. Once you’re required to use the skills you claimed to possess, you’ll be in serious problems. So, the best advice we can give you is – don’t lie! You will manage to get a job based on who you really are and your actual knowledge and skills.
10. Using an overly simple language
Yes, it is very important to be clear in your CV. However, you don’t want to give out the impression that you lack education or communication skills. Don’t be afraid to use some longer sentences and descriptions in your CV (but don’t overdo it either).
11. Not targeting your employer
People usually make the mistake of applying for jobs they’re not skilled for. Or at least, their skills relevant for the job they’re applying for are not stated in the CV. Your potential employer needs to see why you’re applying for the job they’re offering, and why you want to join that particular team. Forgetting to include (truthfully) the skills relevant for the job you’re applying for will lead to your recruiter dismissing your CV. If you don’t have the skills necessary for a certain job, don’t apply. If you do, state them in your resume.
