Mistakes candidates make on their CV

Your CV is usually the first interaction you will have with your next potential employer and therefore is critical to get right. As they say, first impressions count. We have put together some tips on common mistakes and how to avoid them when writing your CV.

Spelling and grammatical errors – spelling errors can suggest that you potentially lack attention to detail and do not review your work before you send it. This is usually your first chance to make an impression, make it count! Make spell check your best friend.

Too many pages – hiring managers don’t always have time to read that much detail and this shows that you are unable to write clearly and concisely. You don’t need to include the jobs you had in high school if you have been in the industry a long time. It should be a snapshot of your relevant qualifications and employment history.

Having blocks of text – blocks of text make it difficult for hiring managers to be able to absorb key information quickly, clear bullet points work better. Also, consider using sub-headings to help break up large paragraphs.

Bad formatting – hard to read text, information too crowded, too much text in a paragraph. This can make it hard for hiring managers to review quickly when they are assessing many different CV’s. When it comes to formatting, keep in mind font, size, colour, spacing. There are many great templates available online to provide inspiration.

Not adding in your top achievements – these are the things that make you stand out from the crowd. It is important to have your qualifications and experience covered, but what then differentiates you from other candidates who may have similar experience or education.

Including personal details or a photo – this is generally not required for corporate roles and can potentially create hiring manager bias – let your skills and experience do the talking. Including personal family details such as marriage status is also not required.

Not having clear employment dates or reasons for employment gaps – employers will want to know the reasons for employment gaps, you do not need to give personal specific details but this should be something you are able to answer in an interview.

Using a photocopy – this makes it difficult for systems to pick up on key words within your CV. Ensure your CV and cover letter align with the key words used in the job ad.

As recruiters, we see the full spectrum of CV’s, an excellent CV can mean the difference between getting a shot at an interview and your application being overlooked.

We are always open for a confidential discussion regarding your next opportunity.

Kaizen Recruitment specialises financial services recruitment across funds management, wealth management, superannuation, investment consulting and insurance. We are based in Melbourne and Sydney. For assistance or further information please telephone our office at +61 3 9095 7157 or submit an online form.

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