It's extremely straight forward to make mistakes on your resume and exceptionally difficult to mend the issues once an employer receives it. Preventing this from transpiring is crucial, so here are the most frequent issues, and the best way to escape them:
Spelling and grammar - Even in jobs where writing is not fundamentally a key skill, low-quality writing illustrates insufficient care which no employer will require in their personnel. Never ever trust a computer's spell checking and typically get someone else to read through your CV to detect any errors that you could possibly have overlooked. Grammar could be modified by reading a segment aloud - if it doesn't seem correct, then it probably won't read very well.
Writing lots, but saying practically nothing - Why would you use twenty words when five would do? Companies aren't looking for you to describe every little thing you've ever undertaken, just a few of the primary factors that will persuade them you could do the role. Attract their attention with bullet points and not prolonged sprawling sentences.
Stay away from being too generic - Whenever you try and build a one-size-fits-all CV when applying for quite a few jobs, you more often than not finish up with something managers will disregard. Each recruiter is searching for a CV and cover letter that corresponds to their role and as all positions vary, you need to make minor adaptations so that it matches their specific criteria. Show that you understand what it is they wish you to do.
Accentuating responsibilities instead of achievements - Instead of copying the duties from your old job descriptions, attempt to find ways to show what you essentially achieved whilst you were there. Only some roles have KPIs that are quantifiable, but no organization would have hired you to just sit there - you must have had some influence in the company. Think of time saving actions, new routines, profitable campaigns and improved sales, giving percentage boosts wherever possible.
Ignoring the 2-page guideline - 2 pages of A4 is plenty of room to convince your potential boss that you're worth contacting for a meeting. They may be busy people and do not have time to read 5 to 6 pages of your job history. Use a good amount of spaces to ensure it is easy to read, make all your sections stick out clearly and only feature details that will get you the role. Less is generally more.
Excluding information - Whether or not it's by choice or just forgetfulness, numerous people leave previous jobs off their CV indicating a gap in employment. It is much better to not let your hiring manager guess what you were doing as they will usually think the worst.
Having lots of clichés - “Effective communicator”; “Works well in a team”; “Fully committed” - without the evidence of these you may as well write, “Blah, blah, blah”. If you have worded the achievements in the remainder of your CV; the fact that you have these skills will already be noticeable. If you feel you must use these words, certainly try to connect it to something you have done like, “Utilized my communication techniques to establish and maintain a substantial client base.”
Being fuzzy - The use of fluffy lines like, "Looking for a challenging position that carries professional development" won't really give the reader anything to go on. Supply to them something specific that focuses on their company's needs on top of your own. "I'm searching for a challenging starting marketing position that enables me to provide my skills and knowledge to fundraising for a charity."
Inaccurate personal details - Not obtaining any telephone calls in spite of the perfect CV? There could be a very simple reason for that - you've written down the incorrect contact number! This is a smaller problem now e-mail is the regular form of communication, but make sure your .com isn't a .co.uk and your address isn't the house you used to live in.
Useful resources:
How to write a CV guide - http://www.howtowriteacv.guru/how-to-write-a-cv.php
National careers service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/Pages/default.aspx
The Guardian careers - http://careers.theguardian.com/career-advice
Prospects careers - http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers.htm
Spelling and grammar - Even in jobs where writing is not fundamentally a key skill, low-quality writing illustrates insufficient care which no employer will require in their personnel. Never ever trust a computer's spell checking and typically get someone else to read through your CV to detect any errors that you could possibly have overlooked. Grammar could be modified by reading a segment aloud - if it doesn't seem correct, then it probably won't read very well.
Writing lots, but saying practically nothing - Why would you use twenty words when five would do? Companies aren't looking for you to describe every little thing you've ever undertaken, just a few of the primary factors that will persuade them you could do the role. Attract their attention with bullet points and not prolonged sprawling sentences.
Stay away from being too generic - Whenever you try and build a one-size-fits-all CV when applying for quite a few jobs, you more often than not finish up with something managers will disregard. Each recruiter is searching for a CV and cover letter that corresponds to their role and as all positions vary, you need to make minor adaptations so that it matches their specific criteria. Show that you understand what it is they wish you to do.
Accentuating responsibilities instead of achievements - Instead of copying the duties from your old job descriptions, attempt to find ways to show what you essentially achieved whilst you were there. Only some roles have KPIs that are quantifiable, but no organization would have hired you to just sit there - you must have had some influence in the company. Think of time saving actions, new routines, profitable campaigns and improved sales, giving percentage boosts wherever possible.
Ignoring the 2-page guideline - 2 pages of A4 is plenty of room to convince your potential boss that you're worth contacting for a meeting. They may be busy people and do not have time to read 5 to 6 pages of your job history. Use a good amount of spaces to ensure it is easy to read, make all your sections stick out clearly and only feature details that will get you the role. Less is generally more.
Excluding information - Whether or not it's by choice or just forgetfulness, numerous people leave previous jobs off their CV indicating a gap in employment. It is much better to not let your hiring manager guess what you were doing as they will usually think the worst.
Having lots of clichés - “Effective communicator”; “Works well in a team”; “Fully committed” - without the evidence of these you may as well write, “Blah, blah, blah”. If you have worded the achievements in the remainder of your CV; the fact that you have these skills will already be noticeable. If you feel you must use these words, certainly try to connect it to something you have done like, “Utilized my communication techniques to establish and maintain a substantial client base.”
Being fuzzy - The use of fluffy lines like, "Looking for a challenging position that carries professional development" won't really give the reader anything to go on. Supply to them something specific that focuses on their company's needs on top of your own. "I'm searching for a challenging starting marketing position that enables me to provide my skills and knowledge to fundraising for a charity."
Inaccurate personal details - Not obtaining any telephone calls in spite of the perfect CV? There could be a very simple reason for that - you've written down the incorrect contact number! This is a smaller problem now e-mail is the regular form of communication, but make sure your .com isn't a .co.uk and your address isn't the house you used to live in.
Useful resources:
How to write a CV guide - http://www.howtowriteacv.guru/how-to-write-a-cv.php
National careers service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/Pages/default.aspx
The Guardian careers - http://careers.theguardian.com/career-advice
Prospects careers - http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers.htm