Posted on 17-02-2010 at 01:00
Executive CVs and some common mistakes
So you have decided to change jobs or worse somebody has decided for you. Where do you start, well our CV writing service would probably be a good first stop! Why?
The amount of sub standard CV’s we receive each week has reached epic proportions. Now I know that some people have not written a CV in quite a while, I know that others are not great with the crafted word and even others that cannot use Microsoft Word. BUT, your CV is the single most important thing when you are looking for a job. There are lots of elements to consider when obtaining a good job but unless you have an excellent referral network, the CV still ranks right up there as the most important element.
Some argue about all kinds of other things that go into the job hunting mix and I do support some of the arguments but when you are applying to an unknown recruiter or firm you have to get it right and you have to get their attention in about 7-10 seconds, even less if your letter of introduction is poor!! Automated responses and the delete button are your enemy.
The worst CV’s are the lengthy ones. Keep it to two pages, do you really think that a CV of 8-10 pages is going to get you the job! If your weekly, monthly or quarterly report is so long then you will not have time to do any work because you are typing.
Don’t ramble-keep it focused and relevant. If it does not relate to the role you are applying for why put it in. If it’s an interesting factoid, keep it for the interview!
Spell check, spell check and then spell check some more but not just with the built in version, have someone read through it and sense check it for you.
No graphics, fancy fonts, backgrounds or templates please. Stick with Ariel or Times New Roman 12.
Do not widen the margin so that you can get more words into your two pages. It looks ****
Do not “bleed” text over from one page to the next
Do not write “I was responsible for......” That is a job description not a CV.
Do not tell them what an exciting position it is and how much you really want to work for them. Do not gush it makes you look desperate and even if you are you do not want them to know.
No photographs. I know it is common in other parts of the world but in the UK it makes you look like an oddball. (Unless they ask for one of course but then that makes them look like an oddball)
No lies please. Its a big non starter on ordinary CV’s but for executive level positions it is too easily researched. If you tell someone that in 1999 you increased sales by 200% they only have to pull the company accounts and believe me a good exec recruiter will.
Do not repeat yourself in either your cover letter or CV or within elements of either. If you look at the article above it is a good example of what not to do when writing a CV. Too much use of the words “do” and “No”. On a CV it is even worse because most people start off their new paragraphs with “I”
Remember getting a job is a job in itself, take time over your CV and you may just get your dream job a little sooner.
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