Without a well-written CV you will struggle to even get an interview for a job that you are applying for, therefore it is important for every candidate looking for a new job to eradicate any common CV mistakes before they submit their next application.
Your CV, and cover letter, are usually the first correspondence you will have with the recruiter handling your application or the company you are applying for a job with. It allows you to get off to the best possible start in your application. However, if it includes several errors or mistakes, submitting your CV is as far as your application will go.
Just a few mistakes will put your CV to the bottom of the pile so it is important to follow the list of tips the A Star Recruitment team have put together to ensure your CV is error free.
It is highly unlikely that one mistake will cause serious issues with your application but if you have a combination of the following errors then you will have trouble even getting shortlisted, let alone actually getting the job.
Read through your CV to check for any of the following common CV mistakes and then amend them accordingly if you are looking on how to make your CV better ahead of your next application.
CV is Not Tailored to Job
A very common mistake with job applications is that candidates will not tailor their CV to the position they are applying to. This is a massive error to make. If you submit a generic CV that could apply to all job types and industries then the chances of your CV standing out, or the recruiter seeing your application as relevant to the position, will be extremely low.
Do a bit of research on the role and what the company are looking for, read the job description and then amend your CV accordingly to suit the position you are applying for. There is no harm in having your own basic CV template with all your information and qualifications on, but make sure that you then use that template to build a tailored CV for each different job you apply for. That will then allow you to use your CV to target each specific role.
Backwards Job History
When you list your job history, your current or most recent job role should be at the top, with your first, and oldest, position at the bottom. This is to allow recruiters to see if your current position or qualities are relevant or could prove useful to the job they have on offer. A common CV mistake is to list them in order of what position you held first.
Normally, what you were doing for work a decade or longer ago will not be that interesting to the recruiter. That is unless you have remained in the position for a significant amount of time and have progressed substantially within that role. This leads on to our next tip on how to make your CV better.
Low Detail on Current Role
The position that you currently work in, or your most recent role, is amongst the most important parts of your CV. The reason this is the case is that it shows your level of capability and suitability for the position they are advertising. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure you include enough detail about what it is you are currently doing for a living.
If you do not include enough detail about your current role and what you bring to the role then you are doing yourself an injustice. However, it is important to remain concise. Include detail but do not waffle.
Your CV is how you sell yourself to the company, so include any relevant skills that you can transfer from your current job to what, hopefully, will be your new one.
Unexplained CV Gaps
It is not uncommon for people to have gaps in their CV or job history. Many people take time out of work, they might have been travelling or suffered from an illness.
So long as the gap is constructively explained, it will create the impression that there was a genuine reason behind why you were not working at the time. If the gap stays unexplained it can give off the feeling that you were simply doing nothing for that period. Avoid a common CV mistake by explaining gaps in your job history.
Spelling or Grammar Errors
No matter what type of job you are applying for it is always gives a positive impression to recruiters when they read a grammatically sound CV that is free of spelling errors. A common CV mistake can be something as innocuous as not checking your CV before you send it. A quick read through before you send your CV off will give you the chance to spot any spelling errors.
With online spell checkers and grammar tools readily available, recruiters will not look kindly upon errors, even if it was in truth an innocent typo that we are all prone to make. Check your CV before you submit the application.
Lies
Hopefully, if you amend and cut out the mistakes we have listed above on how to make your CV better you will eventually be offered a job interview.
However, if you have lied on your CV about any qualifications or experience you have, the job interview is most likely where you will get caught out and if that happens you will definitely not get the job. You may be asked to provide documentation on qualifications you need to legally perform a job, so it is simply not worth the risk or embarrassment to lie on your CV. Give the best account of yourself on your CV and the A Star Recruitment team are confident you will find your next position in no time at all!
For further tips on how to successfully write a CV, you can read our guide on how to write a CV or you can contact our team to discuss finding your next position.
