I posted this in The Guardian a few days ago and got a lot of positive response about it - so I thought I'd put it up here too.
I could very easily fill an encyclopaedia-sized volume with the CV errors that arrive on my desk on a daily basis.
Here's a quick top 10 of small fixes that every CV writer should perform (how many did you forget to do?):
1. Don't begin your CV with 'Curriculum Vitae' in big letters at the top.
2. Keep it under 2 sides of A4.
3. Don't start shrinking your borders and margins in order to cram in more text.
4. You don't have to include your date of birth or references.
5. Make sure your font doesn't go below 10 point.
6. Only include major qualifications (nobody really cares about that B in 'O' Level Woodwork you got back in 1975).
7. Please, please, please run a spellcheck THEN get someone else to read it.
8. Funky fonts and migraine-inducing coloured paper - NO.
9. Don't pad out with useless information - be your harshest critic.
10. Tell the truth. It'll save everyone a lot of time in the long run (you included).
...also, when it comes to covering letters, it's written 'CV' or 'C.V.', never 'C.V' - and while we're on the point, plural of CV is CVs NOT CV's.
GOOD LUCK !!!
www.dazzlingcvs.co.uk
Thursday 21 January 2010
Monday 18 January 2010
15 Ways to Improve Your CV (and avoid the things that employers hate)
Here's an article I recently wrote for the Coventry Telegraph:
15 Ways to Improve Your CV
(and avoid the things that employers hate)
By Steve Szita,
Director, Dazzling CVs Ltd.
www.dazzlingcvs.co.uk
You don’t need me to tell you how tough the current job market is; but a few words of advice from me regarding your CV could work wonders. I’ve written many CVs. I’ve seen some great ones and also seen plenty of appalling ones. Here are 15 easy ways to improve your CV – and avoid employers filing your application in the wastepaper basket.
1. Watch your word order
Including your own interests is always useful and helps to demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded individual. Just be careful how you list them. Word order can be crucial, as this unfortunate CV phrase shows: ‘...coaching the local under-11s boys’ swimming team, amateur photography...’. Oops.
2. Don’t rely too heavily on spell checkers
Spelling mistakes occur far too frequently. Don’t rely on the spell check or grammar check because they will let elementary mistakes slip through, such as using ‘sore’ instead of ‘saw’ or ‘hear’ instead of ‘here’ and so on. I once read a CV in which a candidate talked about his ‘extensive soft drink skills’. He meant ‘software skills’ but his mind had wandered during the writing and his spell check didn’t see anything wrong.
3. Check your punctuation carefully
Make sure you apply the best word order and the correct punctuation. Otherwise, you could end up writing something like this candidate: ‘Proactive – I’m always scribbling down work ideas whenever I can such as when I’m commuting on the back of an envelope.’
4. Be honest – but not too honest
It’s always a good idea to be open and honest on your CV. This doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your professionalism or objectivity, though. In one CV a candidate wrote: ‘My last boss was a bit of a plonker and was probably on the fiddle too’. This hardly inspires confidence.
5. Get your numbers right
Simple keystroke errors with numbers are also an easy mistake to make. Often these are missed because the writer is only concentrating on getting the words right. I’ve seen applicants claim that they ‘have 43 children’ and ‘left school in 1892’.
6. Pay attention
Ensure that any claims you make about your abilities aren’t undermined by silly slips or errors. My personal favourite is an applicant who wrote: ‘I developed a strong attention to detail while working as a Recetpionist’.
7. Speak English
In an ever-expanding global market, possessing international experience or other languages are both becoming more and more important. Just make sure you put this across in the right way. One applicant once declared: ‘I exposed myself to the French market for three years.’ Really? Do the Gendarmes know? Another declaimed: ‘I am bilingual – fluent in English, Spanish and French.’ Well, maybe not English.
8. Only speak if you have something to say
It’s amazing how many people pad out their CVs with worthless information. Among the many fascinating facts I’ve been told are: ‘I hold a driving licence (Provisional)’, ‘I am physically fit and often walk to work’ and ‘My interests include watching television’. If you haven’t got anything interesting to say or any extra skills to promote, then say nothing
9. Always be professional
Employers will always glean aspects of your personality from what you write on your CV. Again, as in number 4, you must remain professional at all times. Don’t write statements similar to these applicants: ‘I like trying to get off with the girls in my office’ or ‘I enjoy going out on Saturday nights and drinking loads (probably too much!)’. These are sure-fire ways to get your CV filed in the bin.
10. Avoid jargon, waffle and total nonsense
We’re all aware of the need to avoid jargon in our CVs and resist the use of too much technical speak. Unfortunately, many candidates can’t resist the temptation to add their own utter nonsense, gobbledygook and waffle. Here’s one of my all-time favourites: ‘I feel my past is defined by my future, whilst my future defines my past.’ Eh?
11. One size does not fit all
Your CV should not be a standard document that never changes but should be tweaked with each job application in mind. A colleague of mine once told me about the time he advertised for a Marketing Executive, Senior Marketing Executive and Marketing Manager. One person applied for all three posts – with identical CVs and Covering letters. Only the job titles were changed. Needless to say, he hit the waste-paper bin three times!
12. Avoid ‘zany’ fonts and coloured paper.
Your CV should be clear, professional and concise. I’ve seen CVs written in fonts that are, quite simply, unreadable and printed on migraine-inducing coloured paper. Often candidates choose them with the mistaken belief that they will show their individuality and make them stand out. Wrong. Stick to a clear and straightforward font – Arial, Times, Verdana, Garamond and Tahoma are all good starting points. Paper colour? Any as long as it’s white.
13. Two sides are enough
The basic rule is very simple: Write no more than two sides of A4, ideally in 10 or 12 point. Never let your point size go any smaller and don’t shrink your margins with the aim of cramming loads more in – you’ll just make the whole thing unreadable. Sadly, many people ignore this simple advice. My record? I was once presented with a CV that was SEVENTEEN sides long!
14. Avoid clichés
‘I’m a team player’, ‘I think outside the box’, ‘I’m a blue sky thinker’ etc. etc. etc. These are just a few of the phrases that will make you sound like a candidate for The Apprentice on a bad day. Don’t use them! Recruiters are so bored of seeing them! You’ll almost certainly end your chances of an interview because the interviewer will have flat lined.
15. Mind the Gap
You might be able to get away with a month or two gap on your CV. Maybe you took extended leave or just needed some time for yourself. I was once given a CV where there was a SIX YEAR gap in the person’s employment history. When I brought this up, they became evasive and I never got a straight answer. Needless to say they struggled to find a role. What had they been doing? Employers will immediately think the worst. If you do have gaps in your career history, they explain why. Honesty is always the best policy.
........
© Dazzling CVs Ltd. 2010
www.dazzlingcvs.co.uk
15 Ways to Improve Your CV
(and avoid the things that employers hate)
By Steve Szita,
Director, Dazzling CVs Ltd.
www.dazzlingcvs.co.uk
You don’t need me to tell you how tough the current job market is; but a few words of advice from me regarding your CV could work wonders. I’ve written many CVs. I’ve seen some great ones and also seen plenty of appalling ones. Here are 15 easy ways to improve your CV – and avoid employers filing your application in the wastepaper basket.
1. Watch your word order
Including your own interests is always useful and helps to demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded individual. Just be careful how you list them. Word order can be crucial, as this unfortunate CV phrase shows: ‘...coaching the local under-11s boys’ swimming team, amateur photography...’. Oops.
2. Don’t rely too heavily on spell checkers
Spelling mistakes occur far too frequently. Don’t rely on the spell check or grammar check because they will let elementary mistakes slip through, such as using ‘sore’ instead of ‘saw’ or ‘hear’ instead of ‘here’ and so on. I once read a CV in which a candidate talked about his ‘extensive soft drink skills’. He meant ‘software skills’ but his mind had wandered during the writing and his spell check didn’t see anything wrong.
3. Check your punctuation carefully
Make sure you apply the best word order and the correct punctuation. Otherwise, you could end up writing something like this candidate: ‘Proactive – I’m always scribbling down work ideas whenever I can such as when I’m commuting on the back of an envelope.’
4. Be honest – but not too honest
It’s always a good idea to be open and honest on your CV. This doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your professionalism or objectivity, though. In one CV a candidate wrote: ‘My last boss was a bit of a plonker and was probably on the fiddle too’. This hardly inspires confidence.
5. Get your numbers right
Simple keystroke errors with numbers are also an easy mistake to make. Often these are missed because the writer is only concentrating on getting the words right. I’ve seen applicants claim that they ‘have 43 children’ and ‘left school in 1892’.
6. Pay attention
Ensure that any claims you make about your abilities aren’t undermined by silly slips or errors. My personal favourite is an applicant who wrote: ‘I developed a strong attention to detail while working as a Recetpionist’.
7. Speak English
In an ever-expanding global market, possessing international experience or other languages are both becoming more and more important. Just make sure you put this across in the right way. One applicant once declared: ‘I exposed myself to the French market for three years.’ Really? Do the Gendarmes know? Another declaimed: ‘I am bilingual – fluent in English, Spanish and French.’ Well, maybe not English.
8. Only speak if you have something to say
It’s amazing how many people pad out their CVs with worthless information. Among the many fascinating facts I’ve been told are: ‘I hold a driving licence (Provisional)’, ‘I am physically fit and often walk to work’ and ‘My interests include watching television’. If you haven’t got anything interesting to say or any extra skills to promote, then say nothing
9. Always be professional
Employers will always glean aspects of your personality from what you write on your CV. Again, as in number 4, you must remain professional at all times. Don’t write statements similar to these applicants: ‘I like trying to get off with the girls in my office’ or ‘I enjoy going out on Saturday nights and drinking loads (probably too much!)’. These are sure-fire ways to get your CV filed in the bin.
10. Avoid jargon, waffle and total nonsense
We’re all aware of the need to avoid jargon in our CVs and resist the use of too much technical speak. Unfortunately, many candidates can’t resist the temptation to add their own utter nonsense, gobbledygook and waffle. Here’s one of my all-time favourites: ‘I feel my past is defined by my future, whilst my future defines my past.’ Eh?
11. One size does not fit all
Your CV should not be a standard document that never changes but should be tweaked with each job application in mind. A colleague of mine once told me about the time he advertised for a Marketing Executive, Senior Marketing Executive and Marketing Manager. One person applied for all three posts – with identical CVs and Covering letters. Only the job titles were changed. Needless to say, he hit the waste-paper bin three times!
12. Avoid ‘zany’ fonts and coloured paper.
Your CV should be clear, professional and concise. I’ve seen CVs written in fonts that are, quite simply, unreadable and printed on migraine-inducing coloured paper. Often candidates choose them with the mistaken belief that they will show their individuality and make them stand out. Wrong. Stick to a clear and straightforward font – Arial, Times, Verdana, Garamond and Tahoma are all good starting points. Paper colour? Any as long as it’s white.
13. Two sides are enough
The basic rule is very simple: Write no more than two sides of A4, ideally in 10 or 12 point. Never let your point size go any smaller and don’t shrink your margins with the aim of cramming loads more in – you’ll just make the whole thing unreadable. Sadly, many people ignore this simple advice. My record? I was once presented with a CV that was SEVENTEEN sides long!
14. Avoid clichés
‘I’m a team player’, ‘I think outside the box’, ‘I’m a blue sky thinker’ etc. etc. etc. These are just a few of the phrases that will make you sound like a candidate for The Apprentice on a bad day. Don’t use them! Recruiters are so bored of seeing them! You’ll almost certainly end your chances of an interview because the interviewer will have flat lined.
15. Mind the Gap
You might be able to get away with a month or two gap on your CV. Maybe you took extended leave or just needed some time for yourself. I was once given a CV where there was a SIX YEAR gap in the person’s employment history. When I brought this up, they became evasive and I never got a straight answer. Needless to say they struggled to find a role. What had they been doing? Employers will immediately think the worst. If you do have gaps in your career history, they explain why. Honesty is always the best policy.
........
© Dazzling CVs Ltd. 2010
www.dazzlingcvs.co.uk
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