If you are back in the job market, thinking of a career change or starting out, the first thing you need to do is firstly make sure your CV is on point.
Even with relevant experience, an up-to-date skillset and qualifications, you may still go unnoticed by a potential employer.
Studies show that, the most common cause of not getting your foot in the door is due to your CV.
That being the case, you need to take some time to freshen up the document that literally introduces you to the world of employability.
Below are a few common mistakes that many make when putting together their CV, we wanted to list theses, so you can avoid them:
- Avoid a busy, complex CV format (fortunately CVSafe offers a variety of success proven CV templates). Stick to a one or two column layout and use a font that is easy to read. Clearly identify section headings and appropriately space each item within sections.
- Be wary of overloading the resume with irrelevant information and details that don’t showcase your soft skills.
- Steer clear of misrepresenting yourself and/or lying about your work experience, education or certifications - be honest. I know it can be tempting to include some things in your CV to pad it out and make yourself and your experience appear more appealing. But lying on your CV, in most cases could bit you in the R's in the long run. Confidence is one thing, but coming through as a liar, ruins your integrity and your potential to move forward in your job search.
- When adding job descriptions, try not to use the phrase, “I’m responsible for” at the beginning of sentences, rather, replace it with verbs like “I have built” or “I created.”
- Finally: Check your CV for grammatical and spelling errors, then check it again.