Many of us know what we need to put on a CV, but do you know how to avoid common CV mistakes? First impressions are important – so your CV needs to stand out.
Here are some common CV mistakes that can get your application overlooked, as well as ways to correct them.
Mistake one: Only having one CV
Many people reuse the same CV for every job application. This means it will not be very specific or tailored to the job role.
Creating multiple CVs can help you get more interviews – and it is easy to do. All you need is your original CV to use as a template.
List the types of job you are applying for and put them into categories. This could be by job type or the different sectors you are interested in. You can then create a CV for each category as it can be used to apply for similar roles.
Add in specific keywords and highlight relevant experience. The aim is to create a CV that matches up with the job advert.
Mistake two: Not tailoring your CV to the job
Having multiple CVs is a great way to make sure your application matches the job role. Your CV needs to mention the important words and phrases on the job advert to prove you have the skills and experience needed.
Read the job advert and highlight any skills or personal qualities that you have, even if they are from hobbies or volunteer work.
If you are applying for a customer-facing retail job, make sure your CV has examples of the key qualities required, like good communication and teamwork. If it is your first job or if you have not worked in that industry before, focus on transferable skills that would be useful.
Mistake three: leaving out achievements and skills
There is no better time to boast than when you are writing your CV!
Make sure it contains your skills and achievements, no matter how small. This can be a qualification you are proud of, a work project you did well on or something in your personal life that you achieved.
This is your opportunity to show off what you can do – and what makes you different to the other candidates.
Mistake four: having a long CV
You may have a lot that you want to include in your CV – but employers are unlikely to read it if it is several pages long.
Try to keep your CV to one or two pages. Prioritise your most important details on the first page and break it down into a clear structure so employers know where to find relevant information.
Add different headers to identify qualifications, experience and skills – and use bullet points and short sentences, instead of long paragraphs.
Mistake five: not proofreading your CV
We all make spelling and grammar mistakes sometimes. But leaving them in your CV will make you look unprofessional.
Word processors all come with spelling and grammar checkers that can catch most mistakes, but make sure you or someone you know proofreads your CV before you send it too.
Avoid common CV mistakes in your next application
Having a good, concise CV will give you a significant advantage when applying for jobs – and eliminating these common mistakes is the perfect starting point.
