Top CV Mistakes (Part 2)

Writing the perfect CV is important to have a smooth application process, and get your dream job. But at the end of the day we all make mistakes. Would it help if you knew 3 of the most common CV mistakes? Here’s what you need to avoid:

• Lack of evidence – It’s easy to make generic statements on your CV, especially when you’re trying to meet a tight deadline. However, failing to effectively describe and evidence your skills, achievements, and experiences can be a massive mistake. Qualify your success whenever possible, in format that’s clear, and easy to understand. Remember recruiter’s will also assess your communication skills.

• Not justifying a point – It’s not enough to just state your credentials. Prove them by justifying why you’ve chosen to do certain activities, and how it’s relevant to the new job role your applying for. Also mentioning extra-curricular activities is very important.

• Ignoring gaps in your work history – Gaps in employment history are common and rarely a problem as long as they’re explained. You don’t need to worry about gaps of a couple of weeks but if you’ve been out of work for months (or even years) you need to clearly explain why. Any unexplained absences of this length will be looked upon with suspicion by potential employers and will give the impression that you’ve been inactive during this time. Don’t be afraid to let recruiters know that you took some time out to volunteer, look after a sick relative or travel the world. There’s also no shame in informing employers of a period spent away from work due to illness or redundancy.

Now that you know what to avoid, make sure and pay attention to all aspects of your CV. If you need your CV to stand out and get employers attention, click here to see how we can help you in not only avoiding mistakes, but writing up your CV and tailoring it to the job you’re looking for. There are quite a few things that you need to know to write the perfect CV, so we are happy to help.