CV Do's and Don'ts

Typically less than half a minute is spent reading a CV so it's crucial to stand out from the crowd.
If you don't want your CV to fall into the rejection pile, then follow these 10 tips from the experts:

1. Long CVs
A CV, with limited professional work experience, should be only one page. If you are from academia, but seeking a position in industry, don't include every publication or journal paper you've ever presented. No one wants to scan through two or more pages of long-winded accomplishments and experience. If it doesn't all fit, cut it down to the most relevant and impressive items.

2. Spelling, grammatical and typing errors
Spelling mistakes on a CV are unacceptable and show carelessness. In the world of technology and 'Spell Check', if you can't put together a simple job application, then how are you going to perform on the job?

3. Easy to Follow Summary
A CV has to GRAB the reader from the get-go. An effective summary section will help the recruiter identify if you're a viable candidate for the position quicker. This summary section can be customised to the position you are applying for.

4. Font Choice
Keep your font simple and easy to read on a computer screen. Do not use italics or extremely difficult to read fonts like Edwardian Script. Microsoft seems to have settled on 10 point Arial as their default font in most of their applications. People are accustomed to reading such on their computer screen. For headings, 12-point bolded is the best choice.

5. Chronological Format
If you're a recent graduate and therefore have not yet been employed, put your Education section first. In addition to the basics - university name, degree and graduation date - you can include relevant coursework, honours or awards. Other categories might include Relevant Work Experience, Volunteer Experience, Computer Skills, Publications, Activities, Language Skills and so on.

6. Formatting
Too many different fonts, colours and graphic styles will hold the reader up. Simple bullets are best for separating your duties and skills; use bold and italics sparingly. Formatting should highlight your accomplishments, not draw attention away from them.

7. Hobbies and Interests
They may be able to tell a recruiter a lot about your personality, leadership potential and team working skills. Putting down your interests outside work reassures them that you can get along with others (team sports), that you are broad minded (love of travelling), that you are curious (pub quiz team member), that you can be responsible (youth club mini-bus driver).

8. Transferable skills
These are qualities that employers seek in graduates in addition to their academic knowledge. They include such things as IT skills and team working through to logical reasoning. Put simply, any skills acquired - through jobs, classes, projects, parenthood, hobbies, sports, charity work or whatever - that are adaptable and applicable to what you want to do in your next job.

9. Tailor your CV to each job
Employers like to see a CV tailored to their vacancy.

10. Keep it simple
Inappropriate use of colours, photographs, logos or fancy paper; it is rare they aid your application.

This article may contain 3rd party information. thatsthejob.com has made every effort possible to ensure that this information is correct and accurate.