Don’t you
wish your CV was so perfect that the moment a recruiting manager goes through
it, he decides to hire you?
Don’t you
wish you knew exactly what points in your CV will nail the job for you and what
will get the CV trashed immediately?
Job-hunting
is a truly adventurous process. You are racing against the odds to land that
desired, much badly wanted job – and writing a great CV is vital in this race.
CVs are
critical as they represent the initial idea of the potential employee to the
employer. Hence people may resort to all kind of methods and ways to jazz up
their CV, to create that perfect document which will pass all tests.
However,
while doing so they may go overboard and be negligent about certain things,
which may end up defeating the whole purpose of their CV:
Your CV –
your future!
So you can
see why it is so important to be aware of what NOT to include in your CV, so
that it does not get rejected in the recruitment process, even before it
reaches the interview stage.
This is
important as statistics show that recruiters spend barely 15-20 seconds on a CV
and it is essential that your CV grasps their attention within that time span.
In addition, within seconds of posting an ad, hundreds of applications are
received and one can imagine how well crafted the CV has to be to capture the
attention in such a short time.
So, check
out these pointers on what you should never ever include in your CV, so that
you can increase the chances of your CV making it through:
1)
Unnecessary details:
There is no
need for labelling your resumé as resumé and only your name need to be used as
file name as managers can distinguish a resume. You also can avoid details such
as date when you wrote the resumé. The only dates that need to be quoted are
the dates related to your education and employment.
2) Senseless
objective or purpose:
The
objective of your CV should not be outlandish and unbelievable; rather it
should be practical, achievable and matching with your abilities and skill set,
else your CV would be thrown into the bin without your credentials even being
read. Avoid vague and meaningless objectives such as “looking for a challenging
role” or “looking for an environment that lets me utilise my skills completely”
is rather vague and gives no indication on what your specific goals and
objectives are. A good objective is accurate and specific and talks about the
specific profile you are looking to apply for. A good objective will sound
something like “A customer support executive with 3 years experience looking to
effectively handle customer calls and increase conversions, thereby increasing
the top line”.
3) Applying
for an unsuitable post:
Applying for
a position for which you are not qualified is another thing that you should not
do, when you craft your CV. You may
think a certain job looks interesting but if you don’t have the minimum
qualifications, the skill set and the experience, you would be best advised not
to apply for it. Your application is bound to be ignored and send to the
trashcan.
4)
Unnecessary personal information:
While a
resumé needs you to mention your personal details such as age, sex, marital
status, and may be even your hobbies, do not go overboard with your personal
likes and dislikes. No one has the time
to read through the details of your personal life, and you may find your
application rejected, even if you are qualified for the job. Things such as
gender orientation and religious views are apt to be controversial and create
conflicts in the minds of people who are screening the applications. Avoid also
interesting stuff such as your social life and unorthodox experiences, which
may convey a non-serious image. If you do want to include any personal
information, use those that would be relevant to your work profile.
5)
Irrelevant work experience:
If, in addition
to having relevant previous work experience, you also have unrelated work
experience, it is best to keep the latter as brief and concise as possible.
While it is important that you state all your experience, but if it is not
related to the role you are applying for, you need to shorten it, without going
into the details of it. You may have had
diverse experiences, but if it has nothing to do with the job you are applying
for, then it is a waste of the recruiter’s time. They would wonder, “what has
this got to do with this job anyway”, may think you are not serious about the
job and discard it.
6)
Irrelevant achievements:
Some people may put anything and everything
they have done in life as an achievement; these could be very minor things and
not relevant to the job. One candidate actually stated, “I cane first in school
long distance running”! If it is about leadership, you can show examples which
validate that such as community service, leadership abilities in previous posts
held, extra responsibilities, and so on.
7)
Excessively lengthy CVs:
Overlooked
by many people, this is a sure-shot way to get your resumé trashed. You may
have a lot of skills and experience, but if it runs into pages of long stories
of the nitty gritties of you did, your recruiters would lose interest in your
CV and discard it. Be focussed on what you want to convey through your CV.
Emphasise
the key points, which are relevant and vital to your application. Show what you
are bringing to the organisation and how you are going to add value. Keep it brief, but convincing and
compelling. Restrict your CVs to within
two pages.
Always
remember that more details can be provided during the personal interview. You
can keep a detailed account of your experience for your own reference, and for
preparation for interview.
8) Incorrect
attitude:
A CV can
convey all the right or wrong messages, depending on how you look at it. Hence,
if you are not really interested in a job or you don’t like a position, but you
are applying out of compulsion, it will be evident.
The energy
changes such as passion, disinterest, etc. can easily be projected out to an
astute recruiter, through the writing. So apply for a post for which you are
bringing genuine passion and sincere interest.
9) Poor
grammar:
One of the
biggest CV killers is poor grammar. Poor spellings and grammar belie the claims
you make in your CV regarding your education and are considered as unforgivable
mistakes. It may cost you dear as this is used as a predictor of your attitude
when you are working in the organisation. Poor grammar makes the recruiter look
at you as negligent, and no organisation would like to hire a casual person.
Make sure
you proof read your CV a number of times, ask someone to verify whether you
have not omitted anything to ensure that everything is thorough, as a third
person’s perspective always helps.
10)
Highlighting negative facts:
Showing a
lack of experience may reflect negatively on you. So try to couch these things
in a more neutral or slightly positive way. Instead of saying “I have not
completed this course”, write “I shall be completing this course by this date”.
Highlight positive things, which you have accomplished.
11) Salary
expectations:
Expectations
of salary are not something to be advertised on your CV. Any mention of them
can be shelved till you are called for an interview. If you state the
remuneration you expect, you might either by over-expecting or under-expecting
what the company is looking to offer, and you may lose the role because of a
salary mismatch.
12)
Overdressed CVs:
Your CV
should be simple, straightforward and professional. Flashy CV’s can put off
most recruiters as they are looking for a professional. Avoid the use of
personal pronouns such as I. Instead of referring to you, refer to your
achievements and experiences in a list, using bullet points
13) Fake information:
Avoid lies
and making false claims. It is very easy to obtain personal information these
days. So choose your words carefully on your CV. Be as truthful as possible.
Statistics show that one in three employers reject candidates on the basis of information
found online.
Do not lie
about your salary in order to land a better job. In case you get recruited, and
the employer finds out later that you have falsified information, you are
liable for criminal action. It is also best to avoid unverifiable information,
anything negative against your previous employers, whining and complaints, as
this is a sign of lack of professionalism.
14)
Photographs:
Do NOT
display a photo of yourself on your CV unless you are in a profession, which
demands the necessity, such as modelling or films. Selection of CVs on the
basis of photographs may lead to accusations of discrimination later on for the
employers. Statistics show that the rejection rate for CVs with photographs is 88%.
15) Improper
email addresses:
Do you know
that 76 % of CV’s are ignored because the e-mail address you used conveys a
lack of professionalism? Use email addresses for your CV which sound
professional and not something that raises questions on your common sense!
Emails like hotsexyluv@… and lazysod@… have been actually used in CVs and
needless to say, they didn’t land a job.
16)
Mentioning reasons for leaving previous employment:
Someone
actually mentioned his reason of leaving the previous job, as “It was hard
work”. It is best not to mention reasons for leaving the last job. These things
are best discussed during face-to-face meetings. Mentioning this on CV’s would
distract the recruiter from the aim of the CV.
17) Poor
structure:
Many
recruiters admit that messy and disorganised CVs are one big reason why they
reject CVs. White space is very important. The better organised the content of
your CV, the better it would stand up to the scrutiny.
Focus on
what makes your CV stand out, not what depletes it!
In short,
focussing on what to do and what NOT to do can really save you from costly
experiences if you are looking for a job. So do take heed of the above
pointers, and polish your CV, so that it truly reflects you in the best
possible way. Your CV is your selling point and it is your job to ensure that
it is received with a bang, than with a hiss.
.
Source: http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/things-never-ever-include-cv/
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