One of the most common problems an employer will encounter on a regular basis is a mistake on a CV. The candidate could have a great set of skills and qualifications, but the mistake will overshadow anything they have to offer.
An error on a CV shows a lack of care and will not make a very good first impression. Accuracy is an important trait to have in any role, and if a job seeker is already demonstrating a potential problem in diligence it could mean they are a liability.
If you want to demonstrate your passion and dedication to the role, don’t make these 3 shocking CV mistakes…
Poor spelling and grammar
Starting with the most obvious and most common mistake found on a CV – poor spelling and grammar. This is one of the most frustrating errors an employer will stumble across, and will most likely result in a rejection of the application.
Research was conducted into 450 applications to see how many contained errors. 81 percent of CVs checked were littered with spelling and grammatical mistakes. For more information on this article from The Telegraph – click here.
An informal tone
Not taking your application seriously is a big mistake. An employer wants to see a professional CV that demonstrates an understanding of the role and the industry. Whilst some careers are more formal in their approach, it doesn’t mean to say you should relax on your CV.
Never use a casual tone in your CV and cover letter, and consider staying clear of cliché statements – ‘I have great communication skills’. Rather than telling the employer how great you are – show them instead.
Why You Have to Show Instead of Tell
Poor presentation
The overall look of your CV has to be appropriate to the role you’re applying for. Creating a medical CV may require a traditional black and white approach, whereas a graphic designer may opt for something more creative with colour.
Focus upon the layout of your CV and ensure it follows an obvious path across the page. For instance, start with your contact details followed by a personal statement. The structure of your CV has to make sense, and also needs to be easy to navigate.
Far too many job seekers rely on their achievements alone to get an interview. Whilst in some cases this may just be enough, the majority of attempts will fall short. Here are the most common formatting mistakes:
- Lack of adequate spacing between sections
- Too much spacing between sections or paragraphs
- Unprofessional font style and size
- Too much or too little colour (role dependant)
- Poor choice of graphics and images
Want to know more? Here’s Nick Hewer’s top CV mistakes:
