Ten Most Common CV Mistakes

The list of mistakes people make when putting a CV together are endless. The following are the ten most common CV mistakes that Recruiters/HR people see. Check how your CV compares, then try some changes that really could have a dramatic and positive effect on your career direction.


1. Poor spelling and grammar. It’s a cliché, but there really is no second chance to make a good first impression. Get your CV checked and checked again. It has to be perfect.

2. Too lengthy. Keep it to just 2 pages (or 3 as a maximum for those in more senior or academic positions) and make full use of each page. Never leave a half page.

3. Complex formatting and gimmicks. Avoid shading, boxes, tables, columns, highly
Stylised fonts, pictures and colours etc as they will not read, fax, copy or scan well. Simplicity of design will help your CV to look like the professional document that it is.

4. Writing in the first person (using ‘I’ and ‘my’ etc). This informal style is fine for your covering letter, but less professional sounding in your CV.

5. Heading it with ‘Curriculum Vitae’. This is no longer necessary as it is obvious what the document is – head it with your name instead, centred and in bold capitals for real impact.

6. No personal profile. Having one is highly recommended as it’s a great way to catch the reader’s interest. It’s a short 3-4 sentence selling statement summing up your career background, areas of expertise, key skills and motivations whilst conveying a little of your personality.

7. Work experience written like a job description. This section should show how well you do your job, quantify your achievements and demonstrate the benefits of employing you. Back the statements up with facts, figures and a couple of endorsements.

8. Information in the wrong order. It’s crucial for a recruiter to see the most relevant information first. Consistently put the content of each section in reverse chronological order and place the most important information on page one.

9. Inclusion of unnecessary or negative information. For example: reasons for leaving jobs, salary, non value-add interests i.e. ‘reading, music and socialising’, political, religious and sports team affiliations plus personal details such as gender, marital or parental status and age – none of which have any bearing on ability to do a job.

10. No mention of IT skills. IT is increasingly prevalent in most industries and recruiters like to see that you can find your way around a PC. If you’re actually in the IT industry then full details of your technical skills need to be on page one.

A very good job Yinka.

Keep doing what you know how to do to better people's lives.

God is always on your side.

i appreciate this cos of the controversy i had with someone who said that "heading a cv with Curriculum Vitae is still very much in vogue. It's a good job, keep it uu

It was really a good piece.Keep doung what u are doing as i know it is helping a lot of us to keep in line.

Thanks

God bless you as you help beings for progress.

thnxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx men for the tipsssssssssssssssss.1luv in the house

Quite apt. I would have to review my CV .

Thanks Yinka. This is an eye opener to those who have beeb refusing to flow with the times

thatz koooool man.keep on keeping on.u re good!

:) THANZ GUY

Yinks Man thats very common with CVs 8)...One Love

Hi Yinka,
I'm Charles Ucheana, currently serving in Lagos(NYSC). I'm so impressed by your write-up. Enclosed is my CV, please review it. Do you find it attracting to Recruiters, or any thing I'm supposed to do?. Please reply me.

Thanks.

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Bros you are in tune with changing times. More grease to your elbows.

I'm glad to know you are there. That's a good one.

It's David, that graduated from electrical engineering(U00)-Laburta's friend

Guy,am so so glad to learn and know this,in fact,i'll take to correcting mine immediately.
keep the good work up!

am so impressed.thatz a very gud job..... pls keep it up and God bless u.. cheers

WELL, YINKA IS A GOOD THING THAT AT YOUR CONVENIENT, YOU MAKE THIS RESEACH FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL NOT ON SELFISH NOTE. MORE CUDOS TO YOU. KEEP IT UP

Good work bro

the info is standard, but i keep wondering what do they really need our hobbies for anyway, when all knows they could really be telling lies about what they do on their leisure time, if u really want to know people u, would not employ any.

Nice tips,i have being making some of those mistakes before.
Thanks.

tnkz gal cos mine is full of such mistakes.keep doin wht u knw hw 2 do best.dazz

thanks for steps sent am really greatful

This is a great write-up.More tips of such expected ,yinka
thank you.
I was made to realise that fresh graduate cv should'nt be more than a page.How far is this true?

pls,do r.eply

thanks yinka,god bless you.i have ben submitting my c.v without including that i am computer literate.

Hi...
@ Caleb...I'm not sure i agree with the one page idea for a fresh grad'. If you have the necessary experience/skills to sell yourself and it gets to too pages..it's cool. The only 'standard' with regard to CV length is that all CVS should be @ most 2 pages.

Wishing u the very best

my bro, its a good one tanx

hi yinksman, will take to the correction, cool u have time to assist others, more grease to your elbow.

Hei Yinka, You are a wonder.

Keep the flag flying. God will surely bless and strenghten you. :o

God bless you abundantly yinka