What not to do on your CV to increase the chances of landing an interview

If there is one thing you need to do right, it is your CV. This is the only marketing tool that you have in a very large pool of hungry job hunters. First impressions are lasting and you definitely want to leave an impressive one! It is of the utmost importance to be realistic when looking and applying for a job. A CV isn’t a newsletter to be distributed to a database and to hope for the best. Read beyond the job title – it is important to understand exactly what the job description is and if your experience and capabilities match up with that. We have all seen some horrific CVs that are just a waste of mailbox space. Here is a list of a few no-nos for your golden piece of paper that will be used to market yourself:

• Cut all irrelevant personal information! Every country’s job market might be different in what they want to see in a CV, but let’s be honest, your marital status, hobbies and personal social media account handles don’t exactly add value to an employer. If there is a specific job you are applying for in the sports sector for example and your hobbies are aligned with what they need in the job description, those will be worth adding as it actually adds value. Be very sure that everything you have on your CV in terms of personal information is always relevant. 
• Make sure your action words, achievements and strong points are highlighted in your CV. The first thing a recruiter or potential employer will look for is why they should interview you and what you can bring to the table. Don’t let your CV get lost in a sea of sameness. 
• We are not all born writers and poets with our words, but there are so many grammar tools that are free online that you can use. Always check your CV and go through it with a fine tooth comb for any spelling, punctuation and/or grammatical errors. Make sure you stick to the same tense and that you come across professionally. Grammarly is your best friend online! 
• Always be truthful and make sure no misleading information finds its way into your CV. Recruiters and potential employers look for things like qualifications, salaries and achievements that do not add up or look obviously inflated or unrealistic. A lie catches up to you faster than a fire in the wind, so just be you. 
• Don’t always include those references… Strange you might think? We have all gotten so used to including a plethora of references in our CVs, but the truth is that they actually just take up valuable space. References are important, yes, but only further down the line in the interview process.

The moral of the CV story is to not waffle on and on. Keep your CV concise and to the point. Focus on your strong points, your valuable skills and transferable experiences. If you did an additional web course in 1996, the chances are that it really is no longer relevant and is not going to go far to land you that all-important interview. Be the best version of you – ideally on no more than two pages. Good luck!