CV Basics

Here you will find an overview some tips for making your CV more successful, and a selection of common mistakes that can see your application heading for the recycling bin.

The basics

All information within your CV and application should be honest and factually correct. It is tempting to try to enhance areas by embellishing a little, this will do you a disservice in the long term. It really pays to be honest with both the recruiter and yourself.

The best place to start is to write. Write everything down in great detail. The more information you have the better. Cover all your strengths, knowledge, skills and in particular, achievements. Armed with this information you will be able to develop an individual CV for each role, giving you the best chance of winning that interview and getting that job. Make sure you adapt or tailor your CV for each role you apply for. Generic CV’s are normally mediocre at best, make sure yours is a Unique Sales CV.

Use a clear easy to read font, if you need to increase the zoom on your PC higher than 100% your are probably using the wrong font or one that is too small. Do not make it difficult to read your CV, it will make it easy to reject.

Make sure there is enough personal information to enable the reader of your application or CV to get a good picture of you and be able to contact to progress or reject, you need to know both. Tell them something about you, not just what you have been doing. Recruiters are interested in your skills, knowledge and achievements as well as the functions you have undertaken in previous roles.

Ensure the layout of your CV is logical and reverse chronological. This will make sure any prospective employer sees the most important information first.

Use language that you will use in an interview situation, you do not want it to look like you CV was written by someone else. There are lots of positive words and phrases you can use to make your CV compelling give your application variety.

10 Common CV Mistakes

Spelling mistakes

Check your spelling, more CV’s get rejected due to poor spelling and grammar than for any other reason. It suggests a lack of attention to detail at minimum and could be interpreted as not caring.

Bad formatting

Try to use standard word processing templates without too many columns and clever structures. If a CV is emailed to an employer or agency you want to be fairly sure they see it as you do.

Small typeface

The temptation to continue to reduce the size of the typeface you use in order to fit more information on the page should be resisted. If it gets too small it will frustrate some employers leaving a less than good impression.

Incorrect Contact Details

Why bother applying? If they cannot contact you easily they will not try very hard.

Too Long

You will be tempted to try to tell them everything about you in the hope of appearing stronger than other candidates, don’t. Hold something back for the interview. Give them enough to be interested but don’t bore them.

Too Short

By only supplying the minimum information you are unlikely to be successful, there needs to be something to grab their attention and demonstrate why you are a strong candidate.

More detail than is required

There are some things an employer does not need to know. Going into lots of detail about extra curricular activities not relevant to the application, including marital status, hobbies like socialising and reading, your membership of the local football team supporters club etc, are a waste of valuable space on your CV.

Complex graphics / formatting

Boxes, shadows, graphics, pictures etc should all be avoided. They waste space and can confuse the reader. They can easily become annoying and frustrating.

Information in wrong order

Your CV must flow. It should be logical and easy to read. Anything that makes it more difficult to read and understand will enhance your chances of being filed in the recycling bin.

Too much Jargon

Never assume the person who will decide on the fate of your application will understand industry or role specific jargon. Use plain English, make sure anyone who reads your application can fully understand what you have to offer. If you need to use some jargon restrict it to that used by the client in their advertisement.

Now you are aware of the basics you can now consider developing Your Personal CV

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