Top CV Mistakes to Avoid for Your Job Search

Your CV is one of the main ways in which you will contact prospective employers, so you want to avoid some of the most common CV mistakes and ensure your message gets through for those jobs you really want.

Some of the most common CV mistakes include:

Poor format and layout

You can expect employers to spend no more than six seconds scanning your CV when it hits their desk, so there’s no excuse for a sloppy layout or format. Maintain a professional standard of

Maintain a professional standard of layout with bullet points and indents that are consistent and a common business typeface and size of font. If your CV is at all difficult to scan or read you can be sure employers will quickly consign it to the waste paper bin.

Gaps in Employment

Explain reasons for any gaps in employment history. Employers will move on to the next CV if they note mysterious breaks in your timeline. If you’ve taken a gap year, time off to bring up your children, or simply had time out for study, then make the space within the CV to highlight what you’ve done and why.

Proofreading

Ensure there are no spelling mistakes on your CV. Employers don’t expect to find typos on important documents and will quickly weed out CVs with poor grammar or phrasing. You owe it to yourself to take the time reviewing your CV for silly mistakes that could eliminate you from the interview stages of jobs. Get a friend to help review your CV by proof reading and spell checking the document thoroughly before sending it out to any employers.

You owe it to yourself to take the time reviewing your CV for silly mistakes that could eliminate you from the interview stages of jobs. Get a friend to help review your CV by proof reading and spell checking the document thoroughly before sending it out to any employers.

Not Tailoring Your CV

Tailor your CV to suit individual jobs and your applications will join the shortlist of suitable applicants much more quickly. If you spend the time honing your qualifications and attributes to suit each individual job for which you apply, your CV will rise to the top of the listings.

It really is well worth making the time to show employers that you can do the job and polishing your CV for individual applications to reflect this fact will pay dividends. You need to show the employer you have the qualifications, skills and knowledge to perform well within the given role, so don’t be afraid to sell yourself and make the most of all your experience, qualities and abilities.

Creating a creditworthy CV takes time, some final tips include simplifying and decluttering your CV by taking out any irrelevant or personal details and the use of bold typefaces or bullet points to highlight your most important aspects to employers.

If you’re looking for more great tips on creating your CV, browse the Interview Skills website and learn about successful CV writing.