Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your CV

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your CV

I have been sending out loads of CVs and not hearing anything back. Being a graduate I need a job so this has been frustrating for me.

I opted to seek professional guidance from an expert, Katherine.

“There are plenty of CV mistakes that graduates make which don’t seem like a big deal at the time, but can majorly diminish your chances of getting the job,” she said.

She assessed my CV and pinpointed tons of mistakes that I had made in the CV.

Do you also have problems with CV writing?

Then it may be the time to give your CV a much-needed revamp. Let’s delve into mistakes to avoid when writing your CV that I learned from the expert.

1. Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes

There are no excuses for spelling mistakes – even if English isn’t your first language. An error-free CV is vital in showcasing your precision and attention to detail, so check everything – even your contact details.

“You can use spellcheckers e.g. Grammarly. Don’t ignore the squiggly red lines that your spell-checking software uses to identify mistakes in the text,” advises Katherine.

Minimize the risk of making mistakes by taking your time – never leave writing your CV to the last minute. Rushed CVs are easily spotted and quickly dismissed.

You can also read out your CV loudly, this will slow down your thought process allowing you to focus on specific words. If you fall over clumsy sentences, others will too.

2. Exaggerating the truth

“Be real about what you know and what you’re still keen to learn. Don’t forget that skills can always be taught.” She said.

She explained how candidates have faced difficulties when they are told to exercise the skills that they indicated that they were perfect in it. Instead of using your time and energy to concoct half-truths and complete fabrications, use it instead to sell the qualifications, skills, and experience you do have.

3. Poor formatting

“We’ve seen it all! We know that CVs are never going to look the most exciting, and we understand your desire to make yours stand out from the rest but you don’t want it standing out for the wrong reasons! Including a photograph of you and using unusual fonts or fancy formatting will not grab the attention of a recruiter and/or employer. Just make sure that the words speak for themselves,” Katherine encouraged.

It’s important to help the reader get to the most relevant information as easily as possible when thinking about how to format your CV. Therefore, keep your CV concise so that it can be absorbed quickly.

The template that you choose to follow when composing your CV should be striking yet uncluttered. Avoid confusing layouts, and beware of using different fonts and sizes.

4. Incorrect contact information

Having a CV with incorrect contact information is very frustrating for a recruiter. Especially if it is a great CV with the potential to be a great employee for a company.

Make sure your email, phone number, and address details are all correct or you might lose out on getting your dream job.

5. Making your CV too long

We asked the employers how long they think the ideal CV should be.

“Ideally, no longer than one page,” said Martin. “If that’s not possible, make that front page really stand out so your new employer will want to pay attention to the rest.”

“When it comes to CVs nobody wants to read a book,” remarked Thomas, “especially when there are so many to go through, you would expect a very experienced person’s CV to be two to three pages, whereas someone less experienced should have a maximum of two pages.”

From their thoughts, you will realize there is a need to focus on the quality of your CV rather than quantity.

When writing a CV, Katherine said “concisely highlight your skills, personality, career aspirations, and education level for a chance to get your dream job”

In conclusion, I would also advise you to consider getting help from a professional CV writer. You will get your CV reviewed and assessed to increase your chances of landing those job interviews.