Detailing your own work history may sound simple enough, but writing a CV can be a lot trickier than it initially sounds – especially when it comes to creating a CV that really stands out from a pile of applications. Although you may be tempted to put all your energy into describing your experiences and achievements, it is important that each of the sections individually adds value and is error-free. For an impressive CV that is clear and concisehere are four things you’ll want to do prevent do when creating your document.
Bad formatting
Before a potential employer even commits to reading your resume, they’ll do a quick scan of the document — and within a few seconds, they’ll determine whether they want to dig a little deeper or not. .
While poor formatting doesn’t detract from your skills and experience, it does distract from it. Potential employers may interpret unsavory fonts and unnecessary headshots as a sign that you are not up to date with current best practices or professional standards, and as a result, question your judgment. While it’s fun to use wild and wacky typography in all the colors of the rainbow, it’s best to save this for something more creative writing – and keep it off your CV.
Spelling and grammar errors
A basic ability to express yourself through writing is key to most positions, so it’s important that your CV demonstrates your ability to write without spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or typos.
This is one of the easiest ways to show that your attention to detail is on point soft skills that employers view positively. It also suggests that you can edit your work effectively and manage your time to complete it at a high level. Even demonstrating that you have made the simple effort to proofread your resume is incredibly important and shows that you are taking your application seriously.
Information that is too general
Having soft skills is great if you have enough evidence to back them up, but if you don’t they may sound a bit generic. Rather than detailing such skills, which can simply be demonstrated through a well-crafted resume, it is best to focus your experience section on previous positions and achievements that are entirely relevant to the job you are applying for.
For example, if you exponentially boosted sales in your last position or helped land a major client, every employer already knows exactly what skills are required, without it being prescribed to them. So keep your resume clear and concise by going based on the facts. You can add further explanation in your cover letter if it seems relevant and useful.
The best way to ensure that all the information on your CV adds real value is to match it to the description of the position you are applying for. An employer will always be honest about what exactly he or she is looking for in a job description, so showing that you have the skills and experience they are looking for is an easy way to get it right.
Inaccurate information
It can be tempting to overstate the information on your resume, especially if you don’t have much formal work experience or have gaps in your employment. While you may feel like you have to cover this up, it’s best to avoid anything that can get your hands on it caught in a lie if you are invited for an interview.
Short interruptions in employment are rarely a concern for employers, especially if they last only a few weeks or months. But if you’ve been out of work for several months or more, you may want to mention this in your cover letter, with a short, honest statement. Rather than drawing attention to the gaps, this will only show your potential employer that you are an honest and honorable candidate. This is the key to building a positive relationship with your colleagues and the future if you are hired.
For a CV that stands out
It will always be worth taking enough time to create your CV as you can be sure that you have not made any mistakes and that the content of your document is relevant. Don’t forget to write a short opening statement that immediately describes your best qualities and your career aspirations. This is the best way to immediately grab a potential employer’s attention and demonstrate your commitment to grow within the company. Make sure you do plenty of research into the best practices for creating a resume to avoid ending up with an outdated document. This way you know your CV is fresh, up to date and sure to stand out from the crowd.
Jenna Martin has more than five years of experience coaching professionals to reach new career heights. She is passionate about helping people just starting out on their path to expand their experience, develop their skills and get the jobs they have always dreamed of.
