What are seven things to avoid when writing CVs?

Pitfall 1: Starting with a lengthy job history

Common advice is to avoid starting a CV with work experience, particularly if it’s a lengthy list of every job you’ve ever had. Firstly, applicants should be selective of the jobs they include, omitting any that aren’t directly relevant (unless that leaves strange gaps in their work history). Secondly, the first third of a CV should be a concise and engaging advert of who you are and which skills and experiences you have that are most applicable. Because employers may have hundreds of applicants, it is critical that employees begin with the most engaging aspects of their character to hook interest.

Pitfall 2: Focusing on your needs

Although it may seem acceptable to indicate in a personal statement what career and role is most preferred by the applicant, this approach is not necessarily appreciated by prospective employers. Rather, a clear indication of the skills and experience you have that employers are likely looking for will demonstrate that you are thinking of the company’s needs and not your own. Avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘me’ can be one strategy to focus more on what was achieved rather than on the individual.

Pitfall 3: Being vague

If your experiences and skills are not explicitly stated in your CV, then it is more likely that your application will be disregarded. If your previous work experiences are not directly relevant to the job being applied for, it is important that you indicate the specific transferable skills you have that are relevant to the role clearly for the reader. Furthermore, an applicant should never imply experience, skills or qualifications that aren’t necessarily or wholly true, as this would be misleading and may cause serious issues in the long run.

Pitfall 4: Including personal information

For most situations, it is not considered necessary or appropriate to include personal information. A date of birth, photo, or personal hobbies and club memberships should not be the points that sell you application. In fact, such subjective information may increase the likelihood of the employer learning something unappealing about you, your interests, your appearance or your background.

Pitfall 5: Including generic descriptions

It is quite common for recruiters to find certain expressions unhelpful and unappealing. Expressions such as ‘great communication skills’ or ‘self-motivated’ are so commonly listed that they become almost meaningless to a recruiter. Rather, it is recommended to demonstrate skills alongside experiences and to use industry-specific terms that show an intimate understanding of the role requirements.