Being in the recruitment game we see A LOT. Some things we wish we hadn’t! So what do we look for when we are scrolling through hundreds of CV’s? Writing a CV can be a daunting experience for some. Knowing what to put on your CV and what not to can be a game changer and can be the difference between scoring yourself an interview or scoring yourself the dreaded “thanks but no thanks email” You may be the perfect candidate but if you can’t put together a decent CV you may be missing out on some awesome opportunities. A lot of people focus on what they should be putting on their CV but few consider what they shouldn’t put on.

Here we have put together some tips on the do’s and don’ts when it comes to writing a CV…….

1. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar

 Sounds simple right? The amount of spelling and grammar mistakes we see on a daily basis is phenomenal! The fact that people don’t take the time to spell check and re-read their resume makes us think that they aren’t too serious about finding the right job and they have poor attention to detail. If you don’t take the time to ensure your CV is mistake free then more often than not, the recruiter won’t take the time to contact you. Use spell check and use your family or friends to proof read your CV before pressing the apply button! It really can make a huge difference to your chances of being shortlisted for the job you are applying for!

2. Inappropriate email addresses

Remember back in high school when you thought it was really cool to have an email address like pornstar69, horny4u, playboy etc.?? Well it’s a huge turnoff for employers and recruiters to see these X-rated email addresses on your CV, not to mention highly inappropriate and unprofessional. It doesn’t take long to set up a new email account and trust us, it’s very worth it! We have seen this too many times to count!

3. Unnecessary information

Candidates sometimes believe that the more information they provide on their CV, the better. This can be a big mistake! There is no need to put in your date of birth or marital status. You may think attaching a photo of yourself to your CV is a great idea. But what you are really doing is allowing a potential employer to judge you on your appearance, not on your skills and experience. Take it from us, we don’t want to see how good you looked 10 years ago, we want to see if you have the correct qualifications and experience for the role!

4. Not reading the job ad properly

The recruitment process can vary from business to business. It’s so important to read the job Ad and job description properly. If the Ad asks to submit a cover letter, then submit a cover letter. So many times we receive applications and the candidate has simply ignored or hasn’t even bothered to read the Ad. If you are serious about the job you are applying for then read through the Ad carefully!

Our ethos is… KEEP IT SIMPLE!!

When writing a CV and cover letter, the best advice we can give is keep it simple and stick to providing relevant information. Ensure your cover letter is addressed to the appropriate person and you explain the role and company you wish to apply for. It’s also important to do your research. If you do get shortlisted and receive a phone call but have no idea about the company you are wanting to work for, it’s not a great start! Your CV should clearly outline all of your qualifications and previous work experience. Clearly state the amount of time spent in each role and your job title, responsibilities and achievements. If you stick to these basic do’s and don’ts, you will be giving yourself the best chance of scoring your dream job!